BOND OF FRIENDSHIP WITH THE FRASERS AND CAMERONS EMBRACING A REVOCATION, ETC., BY THE MACPHERSONS OF THE MINUTE OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THEM AND THE MACKINTOSHES IN 1724.[sic]
Dated 19th April, 17th June, and 7th July 1744.
From the Cluny Charter-Chest.
WEE, Simon Lord ffraser of Lovat and Simon Master of Lovat, with the special advice and Consent of the said Simon Lord ffraser of Lovat my ffather, Donald Cameron of Locheil and Lauchlan M'Pherson Elder, and Evan M'Pherson Younger of Cluny, Taking into serious Consideration that faithfull friendship and amity which did of old subsist betwixt our respective 'families, kindreds and followings, and we being all exceedingly desirous to revive, confirm and perpetuate the same reciprocall friendship and connection with each other, not only during our own Lifetimes But even to the latest posterity, Have resolved for the further Corroboration thereof To become and engag'd for ourselves, our respective successors and kindreds in manner underwritten, That is to say, we have entered and hereby enter, and engage ourselves and our foresaids In a most strict and solemn friendship and alliance with one another, and mutually bind and tye down ourselves, our respective successors, kindreds and followings by all the Tyes of honour, conscience and friendship, Truely and faithfully from this time forward To stand by and support each other and our foresaids in all and every honourable Contraversie, undertaking and Dispute which may at any time hereafter fall out or arise betwixt either of us the Covenanting Partys and any of the neighbouring Clanns or any other party or person whatsomever, except our naturall and lawfull King and superior, and shall forever henceforward look upon ourselves and our severall Tribes and followings to be all so strictly Unite and Cemented, That the honour and Interest of any one shall be the Common Cause of the whole, and which we hereby Engage for us and our foresaids faithfully and strenuously to support and defend with all our might and skill: And further, we, the said Lauchlan and Evan M'Phersons, Elder and Younger of Cluny, with the speciall advice, consent and approbation of our Clann, and particularly of the severall Cadents of our family afternamed, seriously considering that we were sometime ago most unjustly and insidiously induced To own and declare by a Writing under our hands That our family of Cluny and the Clann M'Pherson are Cadents of the family of M'Intosh, and on that account to bind and engage ourselves and our following and Clann forever after to recognize and acknowledge the Lairds of M'Intosh to be our Chief, and to act the part of dutifull Kinsmen to them and to their family, as the said writing more fully bears. But as we, the said Lauchlan and Evan M'Phersons, Elder and Younger of Cluny, do now see and perceive how dishonourable and injurious this Deed and Transaction is and must be to us, our family and kindred, who never descended and have no manner of dependence upon it, But, on the contrary, are the true and lineall male descendants of the head of Clan Chattan and consequetly their real Chief.
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Therefore, and in support and mantainence of our just and naturall Rights, We, the said Lauchlan and Evan M'Phersons, with the speciall advice, consent and approbation of George M'Pherson of Inverishie, James M'Pherson of Killyhuntley, John and Donald M'Phersons, Elder and Younger of Crubin, John M'Pherson of Stramashie, Malcom M'Pherson of Phoyniss, John and Andrew M'Phersons, Elder and Younger of Banchar, Donald M'Pherson of Culline, John M'Pherson of Garvamore, James M'Pherson of Invernahaven, James M'Pherson of Crathie Croy, and William M'Pherson in Killarchile, Have resolved and be the Tenor hereof Revoke, rescind and annull the Deed and writing above mentioned Elicite from us by the family of M'Intosh In manner foresaid, and hereby renounce and abjure all manner of Dependence on or Cadency from the said family, and all attachment, deference and respect which they may anyways claim or demand as pretended Captain of Clan Chattan, or in consequence of the Deed and Writing already mentioned. And we hereby promise and solemnly engage that we will have no connection with them hereafter, Nor look upon them in any other view than as kindly neighbours upon an equall footing with ourselves, And we, the hail forenamed persons, bind and oblige us and our foresaids upon honour, soul and conscience, To implement, perform and fullfill the premises Ilk one to another as we stand severally engaged In manner foresaid: And we consent to the Registration hereof In the Books of Councill and Session, or in any other competent Register within this Kingdom, therein to remain for preservation, and to that effect Constitute our, &c.
In Witness Whereof, written upon stamped paper by Hugh ffraser, Secretary to the said Simon Lord ffraser of Lovat, We have subscribed this presents, consisting of this and the three preceding pages, in manner underwritten, vizt.: We, the said Simon Lord ffraser of Lovat, Donald Cameron of Locheil, and Evan M'Pherson, Yongr. of Cluny, at Beaufort this nyneteenth day of April, One thousand seven hundred and forty-two years, Before Witnesses Thomas ffraser of Gortuly and the said Hugh ffraser, Writer hereof, Witnesses also to the marginal note on the second page, which is signd by the said Lauchlan and Evan M'Phersons for and in name of the haill other partys as above; And we, the saids LauchIan M'Pherson, Elder of Cluny, Donald M'Pherson of Breckachie, designed above Younger of Crubine, Andrew M'Pherson of Benchar, Donald M'Pherson of Cullinline, John M'Pherson of Garvamore, James M'Pherson of Cratbiecroy, and William M'Pherson of Kyllerchile, at Cluny the seventeenth day of June and year of God above written, before Witnesses Andrew M'Pherson, Tacksman of Auchmore of Ovie, and Patrick M'Pherson, Grieve to the said Evan M'Pherson of Cluny. As also I, the said Simon Master of Lovat, at Beaufort, this seventh day of July and year of God above written, Before Witnesses the said Thomas Fraser of Gortuly and Hugh ffraser, Writter hereof.
(Signed)
LA. M'PHERSON. DONALD CAMERON. LOVAT.
EN. M'PHERSON. DON. M'PHERSON of Culline.
DON. M'PHERSON, Breakachie. AND. M'PHERSON of Benchar.
JAMES M'PHERSON of Crathie Croy. WILL. M'PHERSON of Kylerchil.
JOHN M'PHERSON of Garvamor. SIMON FRASER, Master of Lovatt.
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