240 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



to do so. He divides the inhabitants of the Hebrides into 

 three classes : the chiefs, who maintained their power by 

 force of arms ; those of their kinsmen who found fighting 

 a more profitable occupation than farming ; and the tillers 

 of the soil, the hewers of wood, and the drawers of water. 

 He proposes to reduce the power and possessions of the 

 chiefs ; to make the second class work or quit, at their 

 option ; and to give the third class the benefits of good 

 government. This was a vast improvement on his past 

 projects, and a very commendable plan, but it proved much 

 more difficult in the execution than the inception. 



Donald Gorm and Maclean of Duart had in November, 

 1608, petitioned the King for their release, submitting them- 

 selves entirely to his will ; and the other imprisoned Isles- 

 men were equally tractable in demeanour. James resolved 

 to pursue his advantage to the uttermost. Commissioners 

 were appointed to receive the offers of the Islesmen, and 

 to deliberate upon Hebridean matters generally. Various 

 communications passed between the Commissioners and 

 the chiefs, both those in prison and those at large, and 

 the Bishop of the Isles went to London to submit to 

 James the suggestions of the deliberative body. The result 

 of these negotiations was, that in accordance with the 

 instructions of the King, modified in certain details, the 

 Bishop of the Isles was sent to visit and survey the 

 Hebrides. The imprisoned Hebrideans were set at liberty, 

 upon their finding substantial security to return to Edin- 

 burgh on a fixed date, and to assist the Bishop in the 

 service with which he was charged ; while the latter was 

 invested with full powers to compel the obedience of any 

 recalcitrant chiefs, by means of his new allies. Donald 

 Gorm's bond included an obligation to present before the 

 Council, on 2nd February, 1610, Roderick Macleod, son of 

 Torquil Dubh, and it is curious to note that his cautioners 

 in the sum of ten thousand pounds were Mackenzie of 

 Kintail and Sir George Hay of Netherliff, the former of 

 whom was ordered to keep Macdonald's nephew against 

 the uncle's appearance. In July, 1609, tne Bishop met in 



