TRIAL OF PATRICK SELLAR. 175 



themselves entitled, which emboldened them to approach Earl Gower 

 with a complaint, similar to the one they had presented to Lady 

 Stafford. 



To this complaint his Lordship graciously condescended, under date 

 8th February last, to return such an answer as might have been expected 

 from his Lordship. His Lordship says, that he has communicated the 

 contents to your Lordship and Lady Stafford, who, as his Lordship 

 nobly expresses himself, ' ' are desirous, that the tenants should know, 

 that it is always their wish that justice should be impartially adminis- 

 tered ". His Lordship then adds, that he has sent the petition, with 

 directions to Mr. Young, that proper steps should be taken for laying 

 the business before the Sheriff-Depute ; and that the petitioners would 

 therefore be assisted by Mr. Young, if they desired it, in having the 

 precognition taken before the Sheriff-Depute, according to their 

 petition. 



Soon after receipt of Earl Gower's letter, it would appear that a copy 

 of the petition, with his Lordship's answer, had been transmitted to the 

 Sheriff-Depute by the tenants. Mr. Cranstoun, in answer, upon 3Oth 

 March last, says, "that if the tenants mean to take a precognition 

 immediately, it will proceed before the Sheriff-Substitute, as my 

 engagements will not permit me to be in Sutherland until the month of 

 July." 



In consequence of these proceedings, of an express injunction from 

 his Majesty's Advocate-Depute, and a similar one from the Sheriff- 

 Depute, I was compelled to enter upon an investigation of the 

 complaints. 



With this view I was induced to go into Strathnaver, where, at 

 considerable personal inconvenience and expense, and with much patient 

 perseverance, I examined about forty evidences upon the allegations 

 stated in the tenants' petition ; and it is with the deepest regret I have 

 to inform your Lordship, that a more numerous catalogue of crimes, 

 perpetrated by an individual, has seldom disgraced any country, or 

 sullied the pages of a precognition in Scotland ! ! ! 



This being the case, the laws of the country imperiously call upon me 

 to order Mr. Sellar to be arrested and incarcerated, in order for trial, 

 and before this reaches your Lordship, this preparatory legal step must 

 be put in execution. 



No person can more sincerely regret the cause nor more feelingly 

 lament the effect, than I do ; but your Lordship knows well, and as 

 Earl Gower very properly observed, "Justice should be impartially 

 administered ". 



