The Sun.
London, England, 1837-03-11 00:00:00

SPAIN.

BAYONNE, 'Alum 4.—(Private correspondence. )—ln
consequence of the abandonment of the line from Valcarlos to
Painpeluna, the Carlists are masters of the valleys of Roncal,
Salazar, and Aescua. The line of the frontiers of France,
now occupied by the troops of Charles V., is augmented to
double its former amount.
His Majesty, Charles V., was still at Audoain on the
2d in the evening. The head-quarters of the Infant Dun
Sebastian, the Captain General, were at Villanucba in the
Borunda. _ _ .

A letter from Bayonne of the 4th has the following pas-
sages :—" It is certain that the misunderstandings between
the Queen's Generals have caused the famous combined at-
tack to miscarry ; the favourable opportunity is lost; Evans
can do nothing without the wind and tide. His position is
the more critical, as the contractors at St. Sebastian refuse to
furnish any further supplies till they receive some payment
on account.
" The Carlist expedition intended for the Castilles will
shortly commence its march ; it will be composed of consider-
able force.

Saarsfield has committed an act of great imprudence in
abandoning the line of Aregui, which is now occupied by the
Carlists. The consequence is that the communications are
interrupted.
A letter from Madrid of 26th February says, " We have
received melancholy news from Lerida. A column of 900
men, escorting a convoy between Cervera to Penadella, under
the command of Col. Olivier, was suddenly attacked on Sa-
turday the 18th of this month, by several bands united under
the command of Tristany. The Constitutionalists lost many
men. The greater part of the soldiers took flight ; some
were made prisoners."
The Espagnol says on the subject—" If we may believe
an account spread at Lerida by the fugitives themselves, Col.
Olivier himself caused the rout. It is said that at the com-
mencement of the action the Colonel alighted from his horse
and cried, " Don Carlos for ever," exhorting his soldiers to
surrender, to which they replied by firing on him and sur-
rounding him. We do not know, therefore, how far these
statements may be correct. At all events the Colonel deserves
to be severely blamed for allowing himself to be surprised
by the enemy.
PARIS, MARCH B.—lt is announced that the law of Non-
revelation has been withdrawn this morning.—Gazette de
France, March 8.
PARIS, MARCH 8. —The Gazette de France says that it is
announced that the law of Non-revelation is withdrawn this
morning. What is certain is, that the report on this project
of law is not in the Order of the Day of the Peers for to-
morrow, yet this law was presented nearly at the same time as
the law of Disjunction.—Journal du Commerce, March 9.

FRENCH FUNDS —PA ats, MARcn 9.
LAST PRICES.
Five per Cents., 107 f.
Three per Cents. 79f. :15c.
Bank Actions, 2,4101.
Rente de Naples, 99f. sc.
Homan rive per Cents., 10214.
Brussels Bank, 1,410 f.
Portuguese Loan, Five per Cents.. 51.
Portuguese Three per Cents., 31h.
Spanish Actives, 26X.
Spanish Passives, 7%.
Dutch Two and a Half per Cents., 54.

DISTRESS IN SCOTLAND.

A meeting was held this day at the Mansion-house, for the
purpose of receiving the Report of the Very Rev. Doctor
Macleod and Mr. Bowie, of the distress at present existing in
the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. At a few minutes
past one the Lord Mayor came upon the platform, ac-
companied by the Deputation from Scotland, Mr. Stewart
M'Kenzie, M.P., Sir A. Leith Hay, M. P., Mr. Hardy. M. P.,
Sir George Sinclair, M. P., Sir George Clerk, M. P., Mr.
Robert Wallace, M. P. Mr. Oswald, M. P., Mr. R. Steuart,
M. P., Alderman Copeland, M.P., Sir Charles Forbes, Al-
derman Pirie, Lord Teignmouth, T. Hardy, M. P., R. Mac-
leod, M.P., Captain Gordon, Hope Johnstone, M.P., A.
Hastie, M.P., H. Balfour, M P., The Chisholm, M.P.,
Captain Sheppard, Mr. Deputy Peacock, Gillespie,
Esq., and several of the first merchants of London. •
The LORD MAYOR, in taking the Chair, said he felt greatly
gratified that on the present occasion the use of the Mansion-
house would be conducive, to the fullest extent, to the objects
of the meeting. He saw so large and respectable •n assem-
blage come forward to assist their fellow-subjects in the north
of Scotland, that he was most happy to preside over it. He
anticipated that the result would be such as to do honour to
London and to those who took a part in their proceedings. He
would not trespass further on their time, as Dr. Macleod would
fully explain the objects of the meeting.
Dr. MACLROD—I rise, my Lord, to lay before this great
meeting some of the facts connected with the destitution which
at present prevails in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland,
and which, as has been well explained by yonr Lord-
ship, it is the object of this meeting to take into their
consideration, with the view of adopting such measures
for the alleviation thereof, as, in the prudent exercise
of Christian benevolence shall be most likely to accomplish
that end. I am most anxious to obtrude as shortly as possible
upon your valuable time : an imperious sense of duty could
alone embolden me to appear before you. I need scarce
inform your Lordship and this company that I am a native of
those distant but interesting localities to which I am about to
refer. Their language was the first I lisped in infancy—it is
the only one I profess to speak correctly ; it is endeared to
me by many tender associations—it is in that language I have
preached the Gospel for the last thirty years. But I know
the accents of this mountain tongue are so different from
those of the language spoken in this part of the kingdom,
that I am feelingly alive to my own unfitness for addressing
a London audience, and would most willingly shrink
from the task, if I could ; but as our meeting is one
for charitable purposes, I feel assured that due allow-
ances will be made, and I therefore proceed.—( Hear.)
Before laying the appalling facts of the destitution which pre-
vails in the Highlands and Islands before the Meeting, I
deem it necessary to offer a few preliminary remarks illustra-
tive of the peculiar circumstances and character of the popu-
lation to whose case I this day call your attention. The state
of commercial refinement and social order to which you are
accustomed in England has been so long established that
it is difficult to form a distinct idea of the situation of
things in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.—( Hear.)
In these localities the progress of society has been very slow—
little more than half a century has passed since that part of the
kingdom was in a state similar to England before the Norman
Conquest. True it is that the feudal system was abolished
after the Rebellion of 1745 by Act of Parliament; but the
state of society arising out of it, Acts of Parliament could not
destroy, and to the state of society in feudal times is the
excessive population of those districts in a great measure
to be attributed.—( Hear.) At no distant period every person
above the common rank depended entirely for his conse-
quence on the number and attachment of his followers and
dependants. The grand object of every chieftain and gentle-
man was to secure a numerous train of followers. Rent was
an object of secondary consideration; the great advantage of
landed estates consisted in the means it afforded to the pro-
prietor of multiplying his followers.—(Bear, hear, hear.) It
will bo heard with surprise by many in this meeting that
the rental of all the chieftains and clans who were engaged in
the Rebellion of 1745 excited great alarm in this great city,
shook the very throne, and nearly subverted the Constitution
of these powerful kingdoms, amounted only to about the sum
of 12,0001. a year.—( Hear, hear.) The value of landed pro-
perty was in those days reckoned not "by the rent it produced,
but by the men it could send to the field.—( Hear.) I doubt
not, my Lord, you have heard the answer given by the
Highland chieftain, and that at no distant period, when asked
the value of his estate, replied that it could raise five hundred
men. Under these circumstances it was natural for the pro-
prietor to reduce his farms to the smallest possible portions,
into portions barely sufficient for the scant subsistence of the
occupier.—( Hear, hear, hear, and cheers.) Even the very
tacksmen or leaseholders of larger portions, who were generally
cadets of the family, and looked for provision for their sons
in the military profcssicn, acted upon the same principle,
anxious to merit the favour of their chief by the number of
recruits they could bring to his standard. The grand object
was to multiply the occupiers of the land, so that every spot
was inhabited by as many as the produce of the land could
subsist.—( Hear, hear.) The introduction of sheep farming
into the Highlands formed a new era in the history of that
country, and had the great Highland proprietors not
been restrained from availing themselves of the pe-
cuniary temptations which the high offers of additional
rent made by strangers from the South, and that from a prin-
ciple of affection to their people, the consequences to the
overgrown population of those districts must lung- ago have
been fearful in the extreme. The Chieftains remembered that
these people had given them, not votes at an election, but their
sons to fight with them, to secure their promotion in the army,
and aggrandize their families in the world. It was evident, how-
ever, that the old system could not continue. Sheep farming
was gradually introduced—a general emigration to America by
the lower classes who could afford the expense, became com.
mon ; but those who left their country were few, compared

to the immense multitudes who either were not willing to emi-
grate, or had it not in their power. And I here can state,
without fear of contradiction, that the sacrifices made by
the Highland priaprietors of pecuniary interest, to attachment
for their poor dependents is unrivalled in the history of our
country—l could mention the names of islands and districts
in
the Highlands where more than twice the rent promised, but
seldom paid, by the poor natives, were supported by the land-
lord for a period of years, out of a principle of attachment to
their people, not knowing how to dispose of them, and un-
willing to cast them as beggars upon the world. This great
population to which I refer, must have been reduced to
a state of total indigence, had not the manufacture
of kelp commenced and afforded them ample employment.
Up to the year 1822 the manufacture of this article received
the especial protection and encouragement of Government.
Thousands and tens of thousands of poor Highlanders, includ-
ing men, women, and young people, were employed in this
manufacture, and by their labour were enab:ecl to pay rent
for their small possessions, and procure a supply of meal
sufficient for their support during the summer months ; while
the landlords in general derived two-thirds of their income
from the manufacture and sale of this article. So com-
pletely was this manufacture viewed as fixed and .permanent,
that during the war the Highland proprietors paid property-
tax on the income they derived from the kelp, in tile same
manner as the proprietors of agricultural estates paid on the
income they drew ; and the income from kelp being
thus recognized as taxable, the proprietors were in-
duced to expend large sums in planting stones along
the shores of their estates for the growth of sea ware,
and a:sa to burden their estates in favour of the younger
branches of their families, on the assumption that their in-
comes, with which they were dealing, were as stable and sure
as the incomes of proprietors in the fair and fertile plains of
England : and, alas instances are too common of the eldest
sons of old and respectable families finding themselves
(from incumbrances in favour of younger children) with-
out one farthing of income.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
Since the year 1822, however, owing to various Legislative
enactments, the price of kelp year after year declined, till now
the price is so low as to preclude the manufacture of the kelp,
as the sum it fetches at market is not sufficient to defray the
expenses of manufacture. On every small estate in the High-
lands the manufacture has been entirely abandoned, and it
has been only continued on some larger estates, to the great
loss of the proprietors, so as to give employment to the
poor population in their districts. But even on those
great estates, the manufacture of kelp, it is now feared, must
cease, as kelp is almost unsaleable at a price that can defray
the expense. The measures of Government already referred
to, while intended no doubt for the good of the nation at
large, have brought misery and ruin, as was years ago
contemplated, to many of the most populous disiricts of the
Highlands and Islands. We could give instances of estates,
the land rental of which amounts to 4,000/. a year,
while in former years the kelp alone produced an income of
15,0001. or 16,0001. of gain to the proprietor, and that after
liberally paying the inhabitants for their labour. The whole
of the kelp income however has now almost vanished, and the
proprietor finds himself reduced to his low rental of 4,0001. a
year; and not only this, but he finds the population on his
estate, of no fewer than 6,000 souls, the great majority of whom
formerly derived their subsistence from the kelp-manufacture,
and who now contribute nothing—(Cries of Hear, hear)
—to his income, but on the contrary constitute the most
grievous burden under which it suffers. And what is a
proprietor so circumstanced to do with a population of such an
appalling magnitude, from which he derives no benefit? It is
easy to grant warrants of removal against three-fourths of these
people in distant localities, but how are these to be put in
force? We recollect the tumult and insurrection occasioned
by the attempted forcible removal of about seventy families in the
comparatively accessible counties of Ross and Sutherland, and
what must be the consequence of a similar attempt to remove so
many thousands from their native islands to go they know not
whither ? The means of emigration they do not possess, and
from their ignorance of the English language, they cannot
now compete with the myriads of Irish labourers who flock for
employment to the Lowlands of Scotland, from whence the
Highlanders now find themselves almost entirely excluded,
while most of the proprietors, denuded of two-thirds of their in-
come, are unable to provide for them—by employment at
home or assisting them to emigrate.—( Loud cries of Hear,
hear.) Another cause which I just glance at, but one
of a most important nature, to which the unfortunate condi-
tion of the Highland population in ordinary years is to be at-
tributed, is the deficiency of the means of education and ig-
norance of the English language. Notwithstanding that there
is a parochial school in every parish, and notwithstanding the
philanthropic exertions of the various societies which labour
in this field of benevolent enterprise, there arc still in the
Highlands and islands upwards of 80,000 who cannot read
either in Gaelic or English. I state this fact believing that
a very effective and gradual removal of the redundant
population would, in the course of time, be secured by educat-
ing the young and rising generation, and thus putting them on
a footing with the labouring classes in the other districts of
Scotland ; and education is now taking among them the com-
mon-sense principle of teaching them to read through the
medium of their own language, and is succeeding beyond. all
that could have been anticipated. English is fast advancing ;
and the fact is indisputably proved, that if there were no higher
object in view than the introduction of English, no more effec-
tual way could be taken than teaching them through the me-
dium of our tongue. Would the same plan, if adopted, improve
Ireland? But although all these causes, and various others
übich could be mentioned, contributed to impoverish the
population to which the attention of this meeting is now
draa n, it was not till the failure of the crop in 1635 that
the destitution assumed a serious and most alarming
aspect. The failure of the crop of that year left the po-
pulation in circumstances of a most distressing character ;
their case was brought before the public in Scotland, and to
a certain extent in this city. A considerable sum of money
was raised, and supplies of meal gratuitously sent to
alleviate their sufferings. Most of the Highland Proprie-
tors came liberally forward in aid of the poor sufferers ;
and let it be carefully borne in mind that these sufferers
were not in, general the tenantry, but an unemployed
and unprofitable population, with which they would willingly
part if they could, but are restrained by motives of humanity.
But to come nearer to the object of our meeting. It pleased
the Disposer of all Events to visit those districts, in the course
of last harvest, with a season the most boisterous and inclement
that has ever been experienced in the memory of man. The
crops may be said to have failed almost entirely, so that
a population amounting to about 160,000 souls, including the
Orkney and Shetland isles, are suffering under a visitation of
the most distressing calamity. In bringing the facts con-
nected with this destitution under your Lordship's notice, I
scarcely know where to begin. The condition of one parish
or locality may be taken as a fair criterion by which to judge
of the condition of the entire population. The cha-
racter of the soil and climate in the districts is the
same—the habits of the people, and the state of agriculture
are alike; so that having accurately ascertained the precise ex-
tent of the destitution which prevails on one island or parish,
we can, by the application of the golden rule, ascertain the
state of all, and the extent of supply required. Throughout
all the Western Islands, beginning with Colonsay and Jura,
along the coasts of Argyle, Inverness, and Ross-shires,
on to the remote isles of Orkney and Shetland, the misery
extends. The population of these districts amounts to
160,000.—( Hear, hear.) There are many entire parishes in
in these districts without meal, and having no more potatoes
(their sole subsistence) than sufficient to keep the people in
existence a few weeks, while a fearful proportion of them are
without a peat (or turf) to burn, or an article of food to main-
tain life, except the miserable subsistence obtained from shell-
fish and sea-weed collected at low water—huddled together
from want of blankets or bed-clothes, under a covering of
dried ferns or rushes, and as a population, without seed either of
potatoes or corn for the ensuing season. Heaven forbid, my
Lord, that I should dare to make one statement which I do
not believe to be true, and for which I cannot produce the au-
thority of men of character and worth. And if all the com-
munications which we have received were duly considered by
this great meeting, the conviction could not fail to reach
them that the poor population whose cause I advocate is such as
in these realms has seldom been equalled in the character of
the distress, or the extent to which it prevails. Every
source has failed them—the kelp manufacture has failed them
—the employment arising from harvest work in the South has
failed them—the preparation of turf for fuel has failed them ;
the herring fishing has failed them,—snug above all, the
crops have miserably failed. In many places disease has
attacked their flocks—the fields yield no meat, the " flocks
are cut off from the fold, there is no herd in the stall."
Yes, my Lord, many thousands are at this moment enduring
the sternest privations that can fall to the lot of humanity—
" The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of the
mouth for thirst—the young children ask bread, but no man
breaketh it unto them." Let these documents, however, speak
for themselves, and I shall therefore, with your Lordship's
permission, read a few extracts from the correspondence, (of
which a supply will be left in the vestibule for
distribution at the meeting disperse.—( Hear, and loud
cheering.) [Dr. INl'Leod then read extracts from re-
ports and other communications received be the Committees
in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London, from clergymen and
other gentlemen, and then proceeded.] And now, my Lord,
having noticed some of the causes to which the destitution in
the Highlands may be ascribed, and having read from
these extracts to prove the extent of the destitution, I
might now call the attention of the meeting to some of
those measures which have been suggested for permanently re-
medying the condition of that population, and preventing a
recurrence of those evils to which they are at present exposed.
But, my Lord, this is neither the place nor the time for dis-
cussingmatte-s of political economy. The condition of the
population and the necessity for some great national measure
for ameliorating that condition, by emigration or otherwise,
will be brought under the notice of the Government,
and we doubt not, will meet with the attention
which the subject merits. If emigration could be avoided, I
would be the last man on earth to advocate it ; they are a
valuable population, and to part with them if they could be
profitably employed at home, would be parting with so much
of our national strength. Time was when the poor High_
lenders were averse to emigration, and that beyond all
that language can possibly express.—( Hear.) No people love
their native land with more enthusiastic attachment.
Dear is the shade to which their souls conform,
And dear the hill that lifts them to the storm ;
And as a babe whom scaring sounds molest,
Clings close and closer to her mother's breast;
So the land torrent and the whirlwind roar,
But bind them to their native country more.
This love for home is still great as ever, but many cir-
cumstances have combined to induce them to avail them-
selves of any facility of emigration. The letters which
reach them daily from their friends in America, the
the progress of knowledge, the horror of destitution at home,
and the impossibility of finding employment of any kind in

their own country--tire change of times producing the destruc-
tion of that patriarchal tie which bound the poorest clansmen
to hi, chief as a member of one family; all these circum-
stances, and many more that could be mentioned, have
combined to reconcile their minds to emigration ; and
if they must leave . their own lonely isles of the sea,
and the sweet glens of their nativity, over which the Roman
Eagle never hovered, they would prefer the woods and wilds
of the New World, where the language, manners, and dress
of their forefathers are preserved by thousands of their expa-
triated countrymen, to the dusky atmosphere of manufacturing
towns, or even to the fertile plains of Old England her-
self.—( Cheers.) Laying aside, however, for the present the
matter of emigration as an ulterior measure, permit rne, my
Lord, to engage your deepest Christian sympathies and
immediate exertion to arrest the progress of famine which has
already commenced, and Will ere long reign through almost
every part of the interesLing, country I have alluded to. It is
not perhaps for me my Lord to speak to the character of the
Highlanders ; but in advocating their cause I dare not
suppress my opinion of the excelJence of their na-
ttn-al charactee—that character has at all times been
elevated, if not moral. I boldly affirm that there is
nut in his Majesty's dominions a people more peaceable, more
honest, more loyal to their King and country.—( Loud cheers. )
Yes, my Lord, their very superstitions, gloomy as they are
—their tales and their poetry, wild although they be—their
pecularities and habits, despised as they may be by some people
educated under a different state of society—all these circum-
stances have given to the Highlanders au elevation of sentiment
and morals, an honest pride, and art independence of character,
not to be met with in more advanced stages of national im-
provement, and since it is that at this moment there is not one
soldier—not even one police officer required to keep these
160,000 people in order—no depredations arc committed. God
grant that the sufferings under which they now groan do not
tempt them to do that which dire necessity alone could drive
them to do; for truly the extraordinary degree of privation and
suffering to which their high spirit of independence and sound
religious and moral principles have hitherto taught them to
submit, is such as can scarcely be believed by persons living in
more favoured portions of the Kingdom. lithe middling and
lower classes of England were exposed for three days to the
same sufferings under which this population are
suffering the most dreadful convulsions would take
place, and I trust to be forgiven for reminding your Lordship
and this meeting that the Highlanders have some claim to the
gratitude of the nation.--(Cheers.) From their heath-
covered mountains, multitudes of gallant men have sprung—
men who in every country have taken their full share in the
great struggle which terminated in the peace of Europe
—( Hear, hear)—men who in every field and in every
climate have covered themselves with glory—( Continued
cheers)—who have given proof splendid and bright as any
recorded in the proudest page of our history that the land they
came from *as the land of the brave ! and should the day ever
arrive, which God forbid, that Britain should let slip the furies
of war, the leash of which is said to be in her hands, the de-
scendants of these braVe men are ready, as were their fathers
before them, to die for their country.—( Hear.) But, alas,
for the poor Highlander, the fire has now gone from his eye,
and the vigour from his arm ! Could I place before your
Lordship and this meeting, the groups of our countrymen in
every diversity of destitution—the forms and countenances of
these hardy men, accustomed to and able to withstand the
wildest storm, but unable to withstand the wail of the enfeebled
wife and children's cry for food, and none to give them—
rushing from their cheerless hearth to the shelter of the rock,
in a vain endeavour to still the throbbings of a parent's heart.
Could I place before yon groups of men, women, and chil-
dren shivering under snow by the seaside, waiting the tardy
receding of the wave to procure a scanty supply of shellfish or
sea-weed; and after obtaining some supply, ascending an
eminence to descry if may be, some smoke from a neighbour-
ing hut, gave promise of a fire to convert into something like
human food this their only means of subsistence—if I could de-
scribe in suitable terms such scenes to this meeting, sure I am you
would extend your liberality as God has given you the ability, and
be thankful that roil have it in your power to do so. Pic-
ture to yourself, my Lord, what is solemnly vouched to us to
be the fact, and what I believe in my conscience to be so.
Two families had united to prepare at one fire some meal from
the miserable crop of last year. The sheaves were dried for
the burning of the straw, according to the custom of the
country, and the women sat at the mill, (for the hand-
mills are still used to grind the corn) the iittle ones
were sent to collect heath and brushwood for fuel, hope beamed
in every eye, and joy once more was heard in the dwelling. ;
the fire was kindled, and the cake was dressed upon the heated
stone ; but no sooner was the hurriedly swallowed morsel de-
voured than one and all of this famishing group sickened ;
for such was the quality of the grain that it was not
only nauseous, but detrimental to life.—( Hear.) Hope
fled this poor abode, and its inmates would probably have
sunk under famine and disease, had not the Lord, in his
providence, made their case known to a compassionate neigh-
bour. One other case, my Lord, and it is that of a poor
woman in the village of Portree, Isle of Skye, who came
with a group of famished neighbours to make their condition
known to the clergyman. After the rest had told their tale of
woe, in all that simplicity of which their own language is
so susceptible, she, in the agony of despair rushed forward,
but lifting her emaciated arm, could only say, " Look at
that, and let it plead my cause—thirty-six hours I have not
tasted food 1" One word, my Lord, and lam done—l address
you under the highest and most honourable of all titles, that
of Christians. He who went about doing good left us an ex-
ample to follow his steps, and are we now ready to follow
Him, " Who, although he was rich, yet, for our sakes, became
poor, that we through His poverty might become rich."
He has said that " it is more blessed to give than to receive."
He had said, " I was hungered and ye gave me meat, naked
and ye clothed me ; forasmuch as ye have done it to one of
the least of these, ye have done it unto me." And now, my
Lord, I have to apologize for the time I have occupied your
Lordship and this meeting, and I most sincerely thank you for
your kind indulgence.—( Cheers.)
[We are reluctantly compelled, from want of room, to post-
pone the insertion of the interesting extracts which the Rev.
Doctor introduced in his eloquent address.]
Lord TEIGNMOUTII rose to propose the first Resolution,
which was in fact an echo of the speech of the Rev. Gentleman
who had just addressed the meeting. He could not suffer this
resolution to pass in silence, as he thought some reasons
ought to be stated to explain why it had been entrusted to
him. He was sorry that the resolution had not been entrusted
to an Englishman, and he could only account for its being en-
trusted to him from the knowledge he had of the intelligence
and hospitality of the Highlander.—(Cheers.) The present
meeting had come forward to uphold the cause of a noble
and suffering people ; and if the Rev. Gentleman felt some
diffidence in speaking in the praise of these people, he could
assure the meeting he did not partake of any share of that dif-
fidence, except that he was fearful he should not be able
to do them justice.—( Loud cheering.) It would be
impossible to speak in too high terms of these people, to whom
none could do justice but those who had travelled among
them.—(Cheers.) They were dear to every reader of Ro-
mance and History—they were known as an upright, hospita-
ble, loyal, and religious people—they strictly observed that
maxim which he wished many in this country did—" Fear
God and honour the King."—(Loud cheers.) He thought
that his Reverend Friend had taken a wise and judicious
course in adverting to the many cases of distress which the'
meeting was that day deploring. He had come forward, not
merely to read a tale of distress, but to prove it. If the meet-
ing would allow him, he would endeavour to follow the course
he had pursued, and would advert to cases which he had passed
by. He was convinced that it was necessary to appeal to the
understanding as well as to the hearts of Englishmen, and that
unless they were satisfied that they were not contri-
buting to aggravate distress instead of alleviating it, their
hands would not be open to the call of charity.—( Hear,
hear.) There were five different accessory causes to the
distress enumerated by his Rev. Friend, and which were re-
ferred to in a petition from Glasgow, addressed to the Lords
of the Treasury. The principal one was the unpropitious
seasons for the last two years; there was also the failure of
kelp, of the herring fishery, and the cessation of the various
modes of employment formerly open to them. But it appeared
to him (Lord Teignmouth) that the principal cause was the
infinite subdivision of tenures into which that country was sub-
divided. He complained that the Highland proprietors had
gone on for a great number of years abstaining from that which
circumstances had long rendered necessary—that of throwing
these farms together, and disburdening themselves of an im-
mense and useless population. It was notorious that the mari-
time districts were the most neglected in that portion cf Scot-
land. He should now give them an abstract of the actual state
of things in one of the islands in which the greatest amount of
distress existed—he Meant the island of Skye. The Noble
Lord here read a statement of the number of families
who were in a state of destitution in that island.
Emigration would produce no benefit to them , unless accom-
panied with a change of system. The Noble Lord here read
extracts from a statement relating to emigration, which lie
said he brought before them to show that they
would not give their money on the present occasion, but
in the firm hope that the landed proprietors—the clergymen,
and others, whose duty it was, would come forward and take
means to afford permanent relief. The present was but a
temporary expedient from which no lasting benefit could be
expected. It should be recollected that Scotland seldom
sent forward a mission to seek the charity of their English
fellow-countrymen.—( Cheers.) Since the year 1782 there was
no such destitution as that which now existed, and he ( Lord
Teignmoutb) who knew the facts of the case, believed that
unless the necessity was very urgent, his Rev. Friend, Dr.
Macleod, would not be required to abandon his public
and parochial duties as Moderator of the Church of Scotland.
It was not the first time he saw his Rev. Friend engaged
on a mission of benevolence. The last time he saw him was
on the coast of the Hebrides, diffusing :the blessings of edu-
cation among the poor people of that district —( Hear,
hear.) He wss sure, in pleading the cause of the distressed
poor of the Highlands, he would be equally successful
as on the occasion to which he referred, and he was sure he
that day added to the debt of obligation under which he had
placed the people of Scotland. He was convinced they could
hardly calculate the effects produced in the country by a timely
interference for their relief. The effect would extend far be-
yond the limits of those distant regions, and add another link
to the brilliant chain which bound together the two countries in
indissoluble union.

Ile hoped the last sentence of his Rev. Friend's eloquent ap-
peal would not be lost on the meeting, and that it would please
God to open their hearts and hands on this great and auspici-
ous occasion. The Noble Lord concluded amidst cheers, by
moving the following resolution :
" It appears to this Meeting, from, the facts tow stated, that
there is incontestible evidence that many parts of the Highlands
and Islands of Scotland are at present in circumstances of the most
appalling destitution, in respect generally of food, and in particular
districts, also, of fuel and clothing ; and that if an immediate supply
be not provided, famine, to a most awful and unprecedented extent,

with its usual accompaniments of disease, must, ere long, lay .va>
those extensive and populous districts—that great exertions are,
therefore, imperiously called for, in order to meet the extreme ur-
gency and necessity of the case."
JAMES OSWALD, Esq., M. P., begged to second the resolution,
without troubling the meetiog with any observations.
The CHAIRMAN then rose to put the resolution to the meet-
ing, but was interrupted by an individual at the further end
of the Hall, who cried out, " My Lord, my Lord, I want to
say a few words."—(Cries of " Name, name," come forward
and show yourself.)
The individual then mounted the platform, and being asked
by the Chairman to give his name, said " My name is Mr. Red-
man. I think the mcetjng is called for a benevolent purpose,
and I heartily approve of the resolution which has just been
spoken to ; but I do think this a fitting, opportunity to throw"
out the hint to his Majesty's Government, that the citizens
of London and the public are very supine upon a most im-
portant question, namely, the Corn Laws."---. Laughter.) Mr.
Redman then resumed his former position.
The CHA IRMAN having put the Resolution, it was carried
unanimously.
Mr. Alderman BROWN was most happy to be the medium of
conveying a most liberal offer to the Committee. He was to
communicate that two owners of smacks trading weekly to
Scotland had offered to carry, free of freight, any quantity 0,
food for the benevolent purpose of feediug the destitute.--
(Cheers.) He would say a very few words upon the sub-
ject, and that was merely to differ with the most eloquent
Doctor who had addressed the meeting. He had said that
all Lad failed the poor starved population whose cause
he advocated. He ( Mr. Alderman Brown) would call
to his remembrance that there was an all seeing Pro-
vidence above, who acted apparently harshly for his owl'
wise purposes, and he had no doubt but it would be found
that he would give an instance of his power by the manner
in which the appeal of the Reverend Doctor would be re-
sponded to by Englishmen. Ile then moved that a sub-
scription be immediately commenced for the purpose of re-
lieving the distress, and that the bankers and various book
sellers be requested to receive them, to be forwarded to the
Committee of Edinburgh arid Glasgow.
Mr. Alderman COPELAND seconded the resolution. See-
ing so many ladies present, he would call their attention to
means of subscription that existed some time since ; namely',
subscriptions of half-crowns and even fence. If their female
friends would only solicit such subscriptions, they would be
successful in an eminent degree.—( Cheers.) It would be his
ardent endeavour to do all in his power to aid the object of
the meeting.
Au individual in the body of the meeting here proposed an ad-
dition to the resolution, that enactments should be made to
secure the poor an income from the land they cultiettted.
Dr. M‘LEon trusted that the individual would not press
his amendment, as the subject was now under the considera-
tion of his Majesty's Government, with whom the deputa-
tion had been favoured with an interview, and were to have
another on Monday. The deputation had the most entire
confidence in the wisdom and benevolence of his Majesty's
Government.—(Cheers.)
The individual here said he would not press the matter
further.

The resolution was then put to the Meeting, and declared
to be unanimously carried, by the Lord Mayor.
Sir C. FORBES would not detain the meeting by any Ob-
servations at that late hour, but would merely express 111
cordial concurrenceln the objects of the meeting, and beggeui
to move the third resolution. The Hon. Baronet here rea'
the resolution, which was for the appointment of a Committee
to carry the objects of the meeting into effect.
Mr. HARDY, M. P., seconded the resolution. The last time
they had met in that Hall, it was for the purpose of raising a
statue to commemorate the virtues of the Duke of Wellingtoe,'
and they could not forget the valour which Scotchmen ha
displayed upon these occasions—nor the memorable and float:
struggle of Waterloo, when the Emperor of the French
beheld with horror and dismay the gallant and intrepid 00e"
duct of the Scotch Greys.—(Cheers.) He hoped the meeting
would not allow the descendants of these brave men to pine
away in indigence, and in want of the ordinary necessaries 0i
life.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. NORTHOUSE begged to add a few words before this
resolution passed, and from what he knew of the Scottish cha-
racter, that they would much rather leave their dear and na-
tive land than accept any donations. Politically, morally, tied
usefully speaking, he was sure that a system of emigratioo
would do more than anything else for carrying into effect the
object of the meeting. He would, therefore, move that the
Committee be requested to use all their endeavours with the
Government to get such a system established.
Dr. BROWN thought it would be bettor not to encumber
the Committee with anything foreign to the relief of the dis-
tress which all acknowledged was so urgent.
Mr. NORTLIOUSE withdrew the motion, and the Rcsoultiorir
as originally drawn out, was passed unanimously.
Mr. STWART M4KENZIE, M.P., then moved a 'VOW of
thanks to the Lord Mayor, and confirmed the statements mad''
as to the destitution that existed in the Highlands.
Mr. Hoes JOHNSTONE, M. P. seconded the resolution.
The resolution having been carried unanimously, amidst
cheering,
The LORD MAYOR returned thanks, and announced that the
following subscriptions had been received
The Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria £5O
Sir James Shaw 5O 0
Sir Peter Laurin lO 10
His Lordship stated he should use his best endeavour to iv
crease the subscriptions.
Dr. MACLEOD then stated that Sir Robert Peel had sob'
scribed 501.
ROBERT STEUART, Esq., M. P., one of the Lords of t.b,e
Treasury, moved a vote or thanks to Dr. Macleod, Mr.
arid their colleagues, for having come up from Scotland
this benevolent undertaking.
The CiirsHotm seconded the motion, which was carried b
acclamation.
Dr. IVlAcuou returned thanks, and the meeting separated'