102 THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES. 



due by Braes crofters, and to stay proceedings. I write by post and 

 send securities for one thousand pounds on Monday." 



These instructions were carried out, and the following reply was 

 received in due course : 



5 Thistle Street, Edinburgh, soth Oct., 1882. 



Sir, We have received your telegram of to-day stating that you are 

 authorised by a Mr. Malcolm Mackenzie, Guernsey, to tender payment 

 of the last two years' arrears of rent due to Lord Macdonald by the Braes 

 crofters, on condition that all proceedings against them are stopped, and 

 that you will be prepared to deposit securities for one thousand pounds 

 to-morrow. 



Although we know nothing of the gentleman you mention, we will 

 communicate your telegram to Lord Macdonald. At the same time, we 

 must observe, that you seem to be labouring under a misapprehension 

 as to the matter at issue between his lordship and the crofters, the 

 proceedings against whom were raised for the purpose of preventing 

 trespass, and not for recovering arrears of rent. We are, &c., 



(Signed) JOHN C. BRODIE & SONS. 

 To Dean of Guild Mackenzie, Celtic Magazine Office, Inverness. 



To the above letter the writer replied as follows : 



Celtic Magazine Office, Inverness, Nov. I, 1882. 



Sirs, I am in receipt of your favour of Monday acknowledging my 

 telegram on behalf of Malcolm Mackenzie, Esq., Guernsey, offering to 

 pay arrears of Braes crofters on terms stated therein. 



I was fully aware of the nature of the proceedings against the crofters, 

 though possibly Mr. Mackenzie was not, and I simply carried out my 

 instructions. I think, however, that , if Lord Macdonald desires to settle 

 amicably with the people, this proposal, if it does nothing else, will 

 give him an opportunity of doing so without any sacrifice of his position 

 beyond showing a willingness to discuss the matter with a view to 

 settle it in a way that will extricate all parties from a difficult position. 



Mr. Mackenzie has now, through me, deposited securities amounting 

 to over 1000 in bank here, and I shall be glad to hear from you 

 when you shall have heard from his lordship. I am, Sirs, your obedient 

 servant, 



A. MACKENZIE. 

 Messrs. John C. Brodie & Sons, W.S. 



