rrnd Central Highldiids of Scotland. 77 



been sooner introduced into the Highlands, it is possible 

 this emigration might not have taken place, at least to the 

 present extent. 



The very high price of black cattle has also facilitated the 

 means of emigration, as it has furnished the old farmers 

 with a portion of capital which enables them to tra,nsport' 

 their families beyond the Atlantic. 



In some few cases a greater population than the land can 

 support in any shape, has been the cause of emigrations ; 

 such was the island of Tiree. 



Some have, no doubt, been deluded by accounts sent back 

 from others gone before them ; and many deceived by artl'ul 

 persons, who hesitate not to sacrifice these poor ignorant 

 people to selfish ends. 



A very principal reason must also be, that the people, 

 when turned out of their black cattle farms to make way 

 for the sheep farmers, see no mode of employment whercbv 

 they can earn a subsistence in their ov/n country ; and 

 sooner than seek it in the Low Lands of Scotland, or in 

 England, they will believe what is told them may be done 

 in the farming line in America. 



Wliat I have here mentioned appear to mc to be the im- 

 mediate causes of the present emigrations from the north- 

 western parts of Scotland. To point out the means of pre- 

 venting emigrations in future, is a part of my duty, upon 

 which I enter with no small degree of hesitation. As the 

 evil at present seems to arise chiefly fiom the conduct of 

 land-owners, in changing the oeconomy of their estates, it 

 may be questioned whether government can with justice. 

 interfere, or whether any essential benefits are likely ti> 

 arise from this interference. 



In one point of view it mav be stated, that, taking the 

 mountainous parts of Scotland as a district of the British 

 empire, it is the interest of the empire that this district l)e 

 made to produce as much human food as it is capable of 

 doing at the least possible expense ; that this may be done 

 by stocking it chiefly with sheep; that it is the interest of 

 the empire the i'ood so produced should not be consumed 

 by persons residing amongst the mountains totally unem- 

 ployed, but rather in some other parts of the country, 

 where their labour can be made productive cither in the bu- 

 siness of agriculture, fisheries or manufactures ; and that by 

 Buffering every person to pursue what appears to them tf) be 

 their own interest, that although some lemporaiy inconve- 

 niences may arise, yet, upon the whole, that matters will iii 



tlie 



