536 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



The last branches were punctually received in their seasons. As for 

 money branch ther was very little of it payed in cash. But in the 

 monthes of October and November cowes were raised and slaughtered 

 and the beefe sent to such mercats as the manadgers thought fit. 

 Then in January February etc., aquavity was received for a con- 

 siderable pairt of the money rent. In short there was hardly anything 

 the ground produced but was received in its season and after all a 

 Whitsonday clearance even for one crept was never yet gotten in the 

 Lewes. 



" I know no effects now in season (or that can be expected before 

 May or June) but meal or some aquavity and for the meal being it's a 

 little dangerous to leave it in the hands of the tennents and that others 

 more respcnsable may need it I'll make bold to raise as much of it as 

 the tennents may handsomely spare and be answerable att a day for 

 it. The aquavity they may delay to your own arrival. The nixt pro- 

 duct is milk cowes in the month of May. These for the most pairt 

 may be sold within the island. Thereafter in June and July driveing 

 cowes. How to dispose of them yee know much better than I. 



"As for resistance or disobedience ther is no danger att all ther 

 being no spot of ground in Great Britain more effectualy disciplined 

 into passive obedience than the poor Lewes Island. But I can 

 assure yee shall find one rugged hag that will resist both King and 

 Government vizt., Poverty. 



" It's possible that this account from a person in my circumstances 

 may seem disingenuous ; but I only intreat that yee intertain no 

 wrong impression that may but suspend your judgements till time and 

 your own experience determine the matter and accordinglie pass your 

 verdicts upon the report of 



" Gentlemen, your humble servant 



"ZACHARY MCAULAY." 



"To Mr. William Ross of Easter Feme and Mr. Robert Ross, 

 Bayly of Tane."* 



Dr. Walker'sf list of exports from the Long Island in 

 1764-5 shows quite a respectable total. From Lewis, black 

 cattle (in summer) and herring were the principal items, 



* Eraser's Earls of Cromartie, Vol. I., pp. 39-40. Zachary Macaulay is 

 said to have been educated at St. Andrews University, and there to have met 

 Seaforth, who appointed him his factor in Lewis. Besides being a good 

 man of business, he was a gifted bard. He was the author of lorram n< 

 Truaighe, a poem written in honour of Mackenzie of Kildun ; and ^ of An 

 gliogram chas, the air of which, under the name of " Liggeram Cosh," was a 

 favourite with Burns. 



t MS. in Brit. Mus. (King's, No. 105). 



