THE ROYAL COMMISSION AND' HIGHLAND CROFTERS. 147 



liament, to the Home Secretary, which was forwarded, 

 accompanied by the following letter : 



5 CLARGES STREET, W., zyd Feb.,. 1883. 



DEAR SIR WILLIAM I have never taken up your time by letter or 

 interview before in reference to the state of the crofter and rural popula- 

 tion of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, bnt now feel constrained 

 to do so. 



It is upwards of two years since I presided at a public meeting in 

 Inverness, where the position was discussed, and inquiry dtesiderated. 

 A notice on the subject was put on the paper of the House by me in the 

 summer of 1881, and again early in 1882. A formal resolution praying 

 for inquiry by Royal Commission was tabled. I was, however, never 

 lucky enough to get a first place for the discussion, and I have failed for 

 any night open prior to the ensuing Easter Recess. 



In these circumstances, feeling very unhappy at the present state of 

 matters, and believing that many of my poor countrymen are looking to 

 me for Parliamentary assistance, I beg to represent to you as strongly as 

 I can that 



1st. The people themselves desire such inquiry ; and on this I may 

 refer to a curious petition presented by me on Wednesday from Glen- 

 dale, to all appearance the true and unprompted views of the crofters. 



2nd. The public in Scotland by numerous meetings and otherwise 

 show that they concur. 



3rd. The press of Scotland, from the Scotsman downwards, may be 

 said to be unanimous. 



4th. The landlords generally, and; officials in the disturbed district 5 

 are not averse ; and, 



5th, and lastly. I have felt it my duty within the last two or three 

 days to ascertain the mind of the Scottish members. There are seven 

 members of Government, and one incapacited, reducing our number for 

 present purposes to 52. Several are not in town, but two are known to 

 have publicly expressed themselves in favour of inquiry, viz., Mr. Dick 

 Peddie and Mr. William Holmes. Of those to whom I have appealed, 

 21, including several Conservatives,, have signed the memorial enclosed. 

 Seven, though they hesitated to sigh, have expressed their approval of 

 inquiry. I have only found four decidedly hostile. 



I may, therefore, assure you that a large majority of the unofficial 

 Scottish members are favourable ; and this, coupled with what I have 

 said in the preceding four articles, should satisfy the Government no 

 longer to delay. 



