The Wilmingtonian., 1823-12-11
ROB ROY MACGPEGOR.

ROB ROY MACGPFG0R.
From Col. Stewards Character and Manners OF
Tie tghanders
Among the most extraordinary charac-
tiers that have figured in the Highlands
within the last century, was Rob Roy Mac
gregor, of whose manner Of life, and bis eX-
Iploits against the Duke OF Mnntrose, some
curious particulars are mentioned by our
author. The Duke entered into part
nership with Macgregor. in cattle dealing;
and the construction which his grace chose
to put on this partnership was, that he
should participate in the gains, but any
a loss that might cnsue should be exclusive
4 y sustained by Macgrcgor. lie thereforeI
took legal measures against Macgrcgnr, j
land had his lands taken in execution tor
t =pavment of the debt which he claimed
against him, on account OF loss in the cat
lille speculation. Thus stripped ot his es-
tate, through the injustice Of the Duke,
) Macgregor collected about twenty men ol
this followers, and with them, continued, +,
Through tie rest of his life, an open war
against the duke, who he was determined
.should not enjoy with impunity, an estate
e which he had acquired by means which he
denounced as dishonourable and unjust.
;. For thirty years did this man levy contrl-
J. buttons on the duke and his tenants with
y out any act of violence to other parties
Ie and tfrom the way in WHICH he conhucted
his proceedings) without committing any
,eIinustice to the tenants. His practice was t'
inIgive to every tenant regular receipt iot
is what he took from him, and 50 much ac
o. counted for to the duke. 1t was usual II
'""Ithose times for the tenant to pay either th'
on whole Or part of the rents in KIND. Many
le Iot the Dukes tenants pay their rent'
r. in meal, which was generally lodged in
he store-house or granary, near th1 Loch o
1o Monteath. 1t was Macgregor's practice
" when he wanted a supply Of meal, to sent
p.Inotice to a certain number OF the duke
ngl gltcnants desiring them to meet him ON
TO day which lie named with their horses, Il
;,1carry home his meal. With this reqnisi
,crItinn, the tenants, WHO knew what the con
ere sequence of their noncompliance wo9i
tobe, never failed to comply. They met a
ne' the appointed time and place, lie the
n ordered the horses to be loaded at TINS gre
ta.nary, gave the dukes storekeeper regl
hi. ar receipt for the quantity which he tool
and marched away, always cntef'alnn
'' the tenants very handsomely, and takn
rscare never to take any meal which wa
ectInot first lodged by them in the grenar,
hat and thus given in satisfaction oi the
ltslrent.
10. 10. But Macgregor did not conhna himse
ers ito taking the dukes rents in kind. II
lue sometimes also tonk care to supply hln
'9s' self with money payments; and OF tn
'"'' our author mentions curious instance.
: il On ore occasion, when Mr. Graham
and Killearn, the factor (stewarsi,) had colIec
s. ed the tenants to pay their rents, all Ia
act, Rcy's men happened to be absent, exec
ISL. Alexander Stewart, "the ballIe." WI
'e.s o'n this simple attendant he descended
first Chapellairoch where the factor and Il
hint tenants were assembled. He reached Il
mpheuse after it was dark, and, l0okl
y "'' in at window, saw Killean, surround
by a number of the tenants, with a b
full Of money which he had received a.
was in the act of depositlng IN press
ar cupboard, at the same time saying ne wot
therIcheerluly give all the bag for Rob 10
atedlhead. Ehls notification was not iost
ck'ylthe out side vsiter, who instantly g
cnlorders, in a loud voice. to place two II
thro at each window, two at each corner, {
near four at each of two doors, thus appear
'hch to have twenty men.-lmmediately
large door opened, and he walked in with
men, ,attendant close behind. each armed "
Il his e sword in his right and pistol in his
daily hand, and with dirks and pistols slune
eilowithei bets.-The company started up,
, ourhe desired them to sit down, as his b
'yseIfness was only with Killearn, whom
We sired to hand down the bag, and pl
with'on the table. When this was done, he
quest desired the money to be counted, and
eping per receipts drawn out, certifying that
" thelreceved the money from the Duk OF Nj
t, andJrose's agent, as the dukes property,