The Bad Harvest of 1782. 51 



aging and conducting the business of the subscription," 

 were authorised to intromit with the balance yet remain- 

 ing. 



So early as 29th October, the Commissioners of Supply 

 for the County of Aberdeen had met and taken into 

 consideration the alarming state of the country from 

 " the almost certain appearance of scarcity," and 

 the likelihood of dearth before next harvest. And 

 being persuaded that meal of all sorts would not only 

 be very dear, but in many parts of the country hardly 

 to be got at any price, it was agreed that in the circum- 

 stances it would be a great injury to the poor " to give 

 the smallest encouragement to any practice that might 

 make their bread still scarcer and dearer." The com- 

 missioners accordingly declared formally that they were 

 " resolved to punish in the most exemplary manner all 

 persons who should be convicted of privately and 

 illegally distilling spirits from grain ;" and they hoped 

 the officers of Excise would exert themselves in dis- 

 covering all transgressors of that class. 



Circular letters were soon after sent out to the parish 

 ministers, asking them to give in reports on the state 

 and condition of the crop, " how soon the corns are got 

 in, "a method that was followed in some of the neigh- 

 bouring counties as well. At another meeting held on 

 6th December, it was found that answers had been re- 

 ceived from very few of the ministers, owing, it may 

 be, to the fact that at that date the crop in many cases 

 had not been got in. 



On the 23rd day of December, 1782, a meeting of 

 the proprietors and principal inhabitants of Aberdeen- 

 shire was held, the Sheriff of the county, Mr. 

 Robert Turner, being put in the chair. The expressed 

 object of the meeting was " to take under consideration 

 not only the present state of the country and the crop of 

 this year, but also to consider of what may be done for 

 the ensuing year, especially regarding the capital article 

 of seed." The facts stated by individuals at this meet- 



