198 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



tionary; and on the whole, it may fairly be said that 

 they were apparently beneficent. But it cannot be too 

 frequently emphasised, that at the root of these civilising 

 measures lay the canker of gross injustice, and utter dis- 

 regard for the rights and liberties of the natives. It is not 

 too obscurely hinted, that the conquest of Lewis was to be 

 the first of a series of similar conquests throughout the 

 length and breadth of the Hebrides. A scheme such as 

 is here set forth would have been wholly commendable, 

 had it been undertaken with the object of teaching the 

 natives the arts of peace, and diverting their turbulent and 

 warlike habits into channels of industry and progress. 

 We are bound, however, to examine the motives of the 

 undertaking : and it is only too plain that these were 

 dictated by selfishness alone. We are forced to the con- 

 viction a conviction which becomes stronger with every 

 Act and proclamation relating to the plantation of Lewis 

 that the intention was to extirpate the natives, and 

 replace them with strangers from the South. If the 

 Adventurers adopted a more humane policy, it was in 

 spite of, rather than in obedience to, the spirit of their 

 instructions. 



As a supplement to the confirmation of the Adventurers 

 in their possessions, there is an engagement dated at 

 St. Andrews, 7th October, 1600, by Stewart, Leirmont, 

 Anstruther, Spens, Forret, and Murray, which ratifies 

 a contract entered into on the previous June, obliging the 

 members of the Syndicate, among other things, to plan 

 a town in Lewis, apportion land for the purpose, build 

 houses thereon, and divide the whole of the remaining land 

 among themselves. The signatories to this engagement 

 state that they are prevented by weighty reasons from 

 being present in Lewis 'to fulfil their part of the contract, 

 but they give authority to their associates to carry out, 

 in their absence, at any time before Michaelmas, 1601, 

 the arrangements made in respect of the points stated ; 

 the agreement in all other particulars to remain intact. An 

 imperfect memorandum has come to light setting forth the 



