ON

THE PRESENT STATE

OF THE

HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND,

WITH A VIEW OF THE

CAUSES AND PROBABLE CONSEQUENCES

OF

EMIGRATION.

Thomas Douglas, 5th
BY THE EARL OF SELKIRK.

LONDON:

:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, AND ORME,

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION,

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I. Independance of the Highland Chieftains

in former times. Internal state of the

country resulting from that circumstance,

II. Change in the policy of the Highland

proprietors subsequent to the Rebellion in

1745,

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III. Consequences of this change on popula-

tion, through the prevalence of pasturage,

sheep-farming, and engrossing of farms,

IV. Situation and circumstances of the old

tenantry: choice of resources when dis-

possessed of their farms: Emigration pre-
ferred; for what reasons; limited in ex-
tent,

1

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V. Political effects of the Emigrations. The

Highlands hitherto a nursery of Soldiers:

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1

9

21

25

38

circumstances on which this depended; no

longer exist: the loss of this national ad-

vantage does not arise from Emigration,

60

VI. The Emigrations of the Highlanders in-

timately connected with the progress of

National prosperity: not detrimental to

Manufactures, nor Agriculture,

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75

VII. Means that have been proposed for pre-

serving the population of the Highlands:

improvement of waste lands; fisheries;

manufactures: cannot obviate the necessity

of emigration,

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VIII. Emigration has no permanent effect

on population. Legal restrictions useless

and dangerous: discontents in the High-

lands: emigration useful to the public

peace,

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IX. Prejudices of the Highland proprietors.

against Emigration : mistakes from which

they arise,

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X. Conduct of the Highland Society. Emi-

grant Regulation Bill,

91

110

126

135

XI. Importance of the emigrants to our co-

lonies: custom of settling in the United

States: means of inducing a change of

destination: will not increase the spirit of

emigration,

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158

XII. Measures adopted in pursuance of these

views by the author : Settlement formed

in Prince Edward's Island: its difficulties,

progress and final success,

APPENDIX.

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176