GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL IN GLENDALE. 119 



so, it is my duty to tell you that it is an offence which will neither be 

 forgotten nor forgiven till four offenders viz., John Macpherson, Mal- 

 colm Matheson, Donald Macleod, and John Morrison have surrendered 

 themselves to receive the punishment they deserve. But whatever may 

 have been your mistake on this point, every one of you is aware that to 

 seize grazings belonging to another, to drive off his stock and servants 

 without any legal authority whatever, is a gross breach of the law, even 

 if you have a moral right to these grazings, a fact which must be clearly 

 proved before it is admitted. Then, again, nothing can excuse^or- 

 ganised assemblages for the express purpose of intimidation, if not of 

 violence. 



Having now shortly described to you what are your offences, I have 

 further to inform you that the Government are resolved to enforce law 

 and order in Skye at whatever cost. No one need fear that injustice 

 will be done him ; but you seem to forget that justice, while she carries 

 a balance in one hand, carries a sword in the other, and that however 

 important may be her duties in removing grievances, those in punishing 

 offenders are still more important. 



Some who call themselves your friends may tell you that you have 

 only to resist to gain what you desire. It is my duty to warn you 

 against such evil counsel. Your resistance to the law, and your| riotous 

 proceedings, are turning against you those who most earnestly desire to 

 see your just claims satisfied. They begin to fear that your claims may 

 turn out to be as bad as your behaviour has been. 



You will, perhaps, allow me to give you a word of advice. Let the 

 men named, viz., John Macpherson, Malcolm Matheson, Donald Mac- 

 leod, and John Morrison surrender themselves on board the Jackal. 

 Let the stock be instantly removed in my presence from Waterstem. 

 Let an intimation, signed for you by your elders, be sent to the tenant, 

 promising security for his stock and servants. I shall now leave you to 

 discuss this matter among yourselves, and I shall be here again to re- 

 ceive your answer on the loth, at ten o'clock. Meanwhile I should 

 like to visit you in your houses, and to hear from your own mouth what 

 are the grievances of which you complain. I trust you may arrive at a 

 reasonable decision. If you persevere in your present attitude, though 

 I shall regret what may befall you, I shall be obliged to admit that you 

 have none to blame but yourselves. 



The discussion which took place at the meeting was con- 

 ducted by the crofters with remarkable ability, and the facts 

 brought out fully corroborated the grievances already 



