{ 8o ) 



of while in their power, probably supposing that the 

 relief funds were to last, or that the potato would 

 be restored. That, to add to their further grievance, 

 your petitioners are led to understand that those 

 adverse to emigration from the West Highlands are 

 using every possible means to prevent it, and that 

 statements are made publicly that the poor can be 

 supported by employing them in the improvement of 

 waste land. Those who advocate such are certainly 

 actuated by other motives save that of philanthropy, 

 and display the grossest ignorance as to the resources 

 of the country, particularly as regards this isolated 

 island, where there is no fuel, and not an inch of 

 waste land which the inhabitants could not drain 

 and trench in a few months. That your petitioners 

 would now most early request, that if possessed of 

 the bowels of compassion, such as were your fore- 

 fathers, or value the lives of your countrymen, you 

 will not credit the statement of those inimical to 

 our best interest, but examine individually into 

 our circumstances, and the condition of the island, 

 when they have no doubt you will have sufficient 

 proof afforded of the fallacy of such statements, and 

 the injury and cruelty done us by such misrepre- 

 sentations, which may perhaps be the means of the 

 Duke's withholding his bounty, and depriving us of 

 the "power of participating in the enjoyments and 

 comforts, they are from day to day informed, their 

 friends in Canada enjoy to such an extent. 



May it therefore please your honour to take the 

 miserable condition of your petitioners into con- 

 sideration, and use your influence with Her 



