great things, and talked of
bringing a vessel of forty guns, but instead brought only a yacht and
recovered only one anchor, going away soon after, taking his gold with
him and leaving some debt behind.

"The contract with the German has expired, and the Earl is provided
with a vessel, bells, ropes, and tongs, and with men to work by
direction, yet, although he is confident in his own understanding of
the art of diving with the bell, he is willing to enter into a
contract. He will dispone (grant) the vessel for three years, provided
the contractor should keep four skilled men to work in seasonable
weather from May 1 to October 1. The Earl will furnish a ship of 60 or
70 tons with twelve seamen, and give his partner a fifth part of the
proceeds. If a Crown were found it was to be exempted from the
division and presented to his Majesty....

"It is concluded that if the money expected be fallen upon, the fifth
part will quickly pay all expenses, and reward the ingenious artist,
and if that fail, the cannon will certainly repay the charges."

There are also preserved articles of agreement, dated December 18th,
1676, by which the Earl makes over a three-year concession to John
Saint Clare, minister at Ormistoun in Scotland, "for himself and as
taking burden for his father," to search the wreck on shares, the Earl
reserving "one-third part of what should be recovered during the first
year, and one-half of what should be recovered during the last two
years." It is also provided that "if the Saint Clares were disturbed
during the first year, so as not to be able to work or raise the wreck
without damage to their persons (by reason of the unsettled state of
the country), the contract should be regarded as not taking effect for
a year. The Earl binds himself to produce before November 1, 1676, his
right to the ship, under the Great Seal of Scotland, at Edinburgh, and
to deliver a copy of it to the Saint Clares. John Saint Clare,
younger, binds himself to repair with all skill for its recovery, and
for the recovery of the valuables, during the space of three years, and
to make true account and payment of the shares above reserved to the
Earl and his heirs, etc. Lastly, both parties oblige themselves
faithfully to observe all the articles of agreement under the
liquidated penalty of 2,000 marks, Scots."

The Saint Clares, or Sinclairs, as the name is spelled in other
documents of the same tenor, assigned their rights and