BARONET of Scotland. The order of baronets in Scotland was also projected by king James I. for the plantation and cultivation of the province of Nova Scotia, in America; and his son king Charles I. executed his royal father's plan by instituting this order soon after his accession to the throne: the first person dignified with this title was Sir Robert Gordon, of Gordonstone, a younger son of the earl of Sutherland, whose patent bears date the 28th of May 1625. — His majesty king Charles I. was so desirous of adding every mark of dignity to this his favourite order, that, four years after its institution, he issued a royal warrant, granting them the privilege of wearing an orange ribbon and a medal; which last was presented to each of them by the king himself, according to the words of the warrant. All the privileges of the order, particularly this of wearing the medal, were confirmed at the king's request by the Convention of Estates, in the year 1630; and in order to establish them on the most solid foundation, they were again confirmed by an act of the parliament of Scotland, in the year 1633. This mark of distinction fell to the ground with all the other honours of this country, during the usurpation of the long parliament and of Oliver Cromwell. It continued in general, though not total, disuse, after the Restoration. There have been former meetings of the order to revive the use of it, one in the year 1721, and another in 1734. These meetings proved ineffectual, because the proper steps towards its revival were not taken; but, under the auspices of our illustrious monarch George III. such measures were concerted in the year 1775, as have effectually established this honourable dignity.