70 THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES. 



Did you make any inquiry on the spot as to the grievances of these 

 people ? I understood what they meant by the petition itself. 



Did you make any inquiry to ascertain if their grievances could be 

 substantiated? Yes, I made inquiries of a number of people. 



Did you go to the place to make the inquiries ? No, I do not require 

 to do that, as I know the place perfectly well. 



Is the statement which they made true or not ? I believe that the 

 demand for the exclusive possession of Benlee is not a well founded 

 claim. 



The Sheriff That is irrelevant ; we need not go into that matter. 



Mr. Anderson was of the same opinion, but would not object. 



Mr. K. Macdonald If your lordship wishes me to stop, I will do so. 

 I am probably outside of the immediate issue now, but I am led on by 

 the hope that if an explanation is now made of the position taken up 

 by Lord Macdonald and his factor in relation to the demands of the 

 prisoners and their neighbours in Skye, an arrangement may be come 

 to which will prevent a recurrence of the events which have led to the 

 present trial. 



The Sheriff If any opposition was taken by the proseeution, I would 

 stop this course of examination at once. 



Mr. Anderson I do not object, my lord. 



The Sheriff I do not see what bearing it has on the case. 



Mr. K. Macdonald Did these people refuse to pay their rents until 

 the grievances complained of were inquired into and redressed? Until 

 they got Benlee. I sent them circulars and letters, copies of which are 

 produced. 



You state in the printed letter that they have each 6| acres arable 

 land, with a right to keep 5 cows, 20 sheep, and I horse ? Yes. 



Did you ascertain the accuracy of that statement before you made it ? 

 I have only acted as factor for two and a-half years, and that state- 

 ment regarding the townships was given to me shortly after I entered, 

 and I think it is quite correct. 



Are you not aware now that, if these tenants would put all these 

 cattle and sheep on the ground, they would die from starvation ? I am 

 not aware of anything of the sort, sir, bat we are quite prepared to 

 look into that. The request was never civilly made. 



Did a deputation of these people come to you in November last ? 

 There was a deputation of their sons, but there were no tenants except 

 one. 



An old man of 85 ? I do not think he was 85. I told them the 

 tenants must come themselves, and not their sons. I saw this maa 



