108 THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES. 



as they may consider necessary for preserving the peace and executing 

 the law within the county. It is not for the Government to prescribe or 

 even to suggest the particular mode in which the County Authorities 

 should fulfil this duty, whether by adding to their own police force, or 

 by temporarily obtaining the services of police from other Counties or 

 Burghs, but I am authorised by Sir William Harcourt to say, that if they 

 should resolve to make an addition to the number of their own police, 

 he will be ready to grant his consent, in terms of section 5 of the Police 

 (Scotland) Act of 1857, to whatever addition they may consider 

 requisite. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, 



(Signed) J. B. BALFOUR. 

 To William Ivory, Esq., Sheriff of Inverness. 



This letter was a bitter pill for the County Authorities, 

 who naturally desired to escape the serious responsibility of 

 serving the writs in Skye by the small police force at their 

 disposal. The Police Committee held a meeting on the 

 1 3th of November to consider the document, and to decide 

 what was necessary to be done in the altered circumstances. 

 After serious deliberation Mackintosh of Mackintosh moved : 



"That while protesting against the assumption that under existing 

 circumstances the county was bound, without the special aid asked for 

 from the Government, to execute the Supreme Court's warrants within 

 the disturbed districts ; and while disclaiming all responsibility for any 

 consequences which may result from the action which is now forced upon 

 them, the Committee ageee to make a strenuous effort to execute the 

 Court's warrants, and with that view they resolve that the police autho- 

 rities of Scotland be immediately communicated with, asking them to 

 furnish the largest number of constables they can possibly spare on a 

 given date, and to place this force at the disposal of the executive of the 

 county;" which motion was seconded by Mr. Davidson of Cantray, and 

 unanimously agreed to. 



Lord Lovat then. moved "That the Committee recommend to the 

 Commissioners of Supply to increase the present force by 50 con- 

 stables;" which motion was seconded by Mr. Davidson, and unanimously 

 agreed to. 



It was also agreed to recommend that a meeting of Commissioners be 

 held on Monday following to consider and dispose of this recommenda- 

 tion. 



