i 7 4 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



The contract thus ratified bound the undertakers " to 

 plant policy and civilisation in the hitherto most barbarous 

 Isle of Lewis, with Rona-Lewis and Trotternish, and to 

 develop the extraordinarily rich resources of the same for 

 the public good and the King's profit." The full particulars 

 of the agreement are to be found in the Parliamentary 

 records which contain its ratification. An analysis of the 

 conditions is here given. 



The contract, which is a lengthy one, lays stress upon 

 the difficulties experienced by the King in reducing the 

 lands to obedience, " be reasoun of the evill dispositioun 

 and barbaritie " of the inhabitants, who from time to time 

 have directly opposed the introduction of " ony policie or 

 civilitie " among them. His Majesty " perfytelie under- 

 stands" that the lands are "be speciall Providence and 

 blissing of God inrychit with ane incredibill fertilitie of 

 cornis and store of fischeingis and utheris necessaris, 

 surpassing far the plenty of any pairt of the inland. And 

 yet, nevertheless, the same ar possest be inhabitantis quha 

 ar voyd of ony knawledge of God or His religioun, and 

 naturallie abhoiring all kynd of civilitie, quha hes gevin 

 thameselfis over to all kynd of barbarietie and inhumani- 

 tie . . . occupying in the meantime and violently 

 possessing his Hienes proper landis without payment of 

 maill (feu-duty) or greffum (fine of entry) thairfoir." 



Then follows a statement of the undertakings entered 

 into by the Syndicate of Adventurers. As a definition of 

 their general attitude, they are most willing, to the utter- 

 most of their power, to "advance and set fordwart the 

 glorie of God, the honour of thair native countrey, and 

 his Majesty's service." They undertake to augment the 

 yearly rent and revenue of the Crown. They undertake 

 to plant " kirkes " and other " policie " within the lands in 

 question, all at their personal expense, besides hazarding 

 " thair owin bodyis and lyves and the lyves of utheris 

 thair kyn and freindis." The consideration to be paid to 

 the King for his grant of the lands is next stated. Until 

 the year 1600, the Adventurers, in view of their initial 



