146 THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES. 



and, in some places, the scarcity of men and women in the Highlands ; 

 the cause of this state of things ; and. the most effectual remedy for 

 ameliorating the condition of the Highland Crofters generally? 



Mr. Fraser-Mackintosh made the following reply, which, 

 with the question, will be found in the Celtic Magazine, and 

 the local papers, at the time : 



A Member of Parliament had a certain power, and only a certain 

 power. Now, the question which was here raised was a very large one, 

 and he did not think that he would have the slightest chance of getting 

 such a Commission as was referred to, unless the Government was 

 prepared for the demand beforehand, and unless the request was 

 strengthened by a general expression of feeling in its favour throughout 

 the country. If Mr. Mackenzie, who had written an able letter, on the 

 subject, which had attracted great attention, and others with him, could 

 by petition, or by deputation to the Prime Minister, pave the way for a 

 motion, he would be very glad to make it. His moving in the matter 

 without adequate support would hamper and hurt- the laudable object 

 Mr. Mackenzie had at heart. 



Since that date the question has never been lost sight of, 

 and influential Highlanders extended their support in public 

 and in private to pave the way for action in the House of 

 Commons. The Gaelic Society of Inverness soon after 

 petitioned Parliament in favour of a Royal Commission of 

 Inquiry. Towards the end. of 1880, a public meeting held 

 in Inverness, and presided over by Mr. Fraser-Mackintosh, 

 M.P., petitioned in favour of it ; the Federation of Celtic 

 Societies took the matter up ; the Gaelic Society of Perth ; 

 the Highland Land Law Reform Associations of Inverness 

 and Edinburgh got up meetings, and petitioned Parlia- 

 ment ; Mr. Fraser-Mackintosh, M.P. ; Dr. Cameron, M.P. ; 

 Mr. Dick Peddie, M.P. ; Sir. George Campbell, M.P. ; Mr. 

 D. H. Macfarlane, M.P. ; and others, kept the question 

 before the House of Commons and the country ; and, on 

 the 22nd of February last, Mr, Fraser-Mackintosh got up a 

 Memorial, signed by twenty-one Scottish Members of Par- 



