iyc)2. on the commotions in Rofsjhire, iCj<^ 



conduct, in many instances, that consist with mv own 

 knowledge, has been pursued on like occasions by the 

 duke of Argyll, the duke of Gordon, and many private 

 persons, owners of lands in the Highlands ; yet thesfe 

 men are now indiscriminately branded by ignorant specu- 

 lators, as hard hearted opprefsors, who grind the faces of 

 the poor to such a degree as to deserve the detestation of 

 all good men. That there are no proprietors of land in 

 the Highlands, who, take advantage of the power that 

 the state of the country confers upon them, to abuse it, 

 will not be maintained by any person of sense. But that 

 these instances are as rare among them, as among any 

 other set of men, who have an equal chance of impunity, 

 I will boldly maintain as a fact. I myself, who have no 

 predeliction for the gentleman of the Highlazids, more than 

 others, am clearly convinced, that there are as many, if 

 not more, acts of disinterested generosity, practised 

 among this set of men, from humane and patriotic consi- 

 derations, aj among any others in this island. ' But where 

 is the men, vvho, as a body, will refuse to add to their in- 

 come by fair means, when the power of doing it is so easy ? 

 Can any person of sense say, that in order to provide for 

 some people, who, in their present state can only be ac- 

 counted unprofitable Cumberers of the gound, a man 

 ihould sacrifice the interests of his family, and diminifli 

 the income of the kingdom, by preventing the improve- 

 ment of his estate, merely because some ill judged laws 

 prevent those persons who have been accidentally placed 

 on his estate, from being able to support themselves by 

 their own industry ? If the state condemns them to un- 

 availing poverty, why fliould the burden of supporting 

 them lie exclusively upon these proprietors ? Let those 

 who are loudest in their clamours, consider for a moment, 

 and they will jee that political evils, which owe their ex- 



