The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-07-08
ROB ROY,

ROB ROX,
The following anccdotc of the cclcbatcd
Macgrcgor, will be amusing to most OF our
readers.
The property of Rob Roy extended Tor
some miles along the eastern border OF Loch |
Lomond; but from pecuniary cmbarrass-
mcnt, it fell into the hands of the first duke
of Montrosc. In his cattle dealing Rob Roy !
had Il partner in whom he placed unbound
cd confidence but this person, having on
one occasion been intrustcd with a consider
able sum of money, made sudden elope-
ment, which - shattered Rob's trading con-
Germs, that he was under the necessity OF
| selling his lands to the duke of Montorse,
but Conditlonally, that they should again re-
vert to himself, providing he could return to
the duke the sum he had promised topay for
them. Montrose had paid Il great part but
not the whole of the price agreed upon.
Some years having elapsed, Rob Roy found
his finances improved, and, wishing to get
back his estate, offered to restore the duke
the sum he had advanced; but upon some
equivocal pretence he would not receive it,
and, from Rob's dissolutc character, an adj
judication of the lands was easily obtained,
which deprived him of any future claim.
Considering this transaction as unjust on the
part Of Montrosc and his factor, Graham of
Orchil, Rob watched his opportunity to make
rcprisal, the only remaining means in his
power, and future occasion gave him the
success he desired. This factor, when col
lecting his rents, was attended, as a matter
Of compliment, by several gentlemen of the
vicinity, who dined with him. Among those
who were present at this time was Rob
Roy; but before he came he placed twenty
of his men in wood close by, to wait fiX-
ed signal, and went HIMSELF to the house with
his piper playing before him. This was at
the inn of Chapel-Arroch in Aberfoil. The
factor had no suspicion of Rob's purpose, as
he laid down his claymore to indicate peace,
and paltook OF the. entertainment, during
which his piper played some wild pibrochs,
the boistcrous accompaniment which used
to give a zcst to every Highland feast.
Rob, i'll the meantime, observed the fac
tors motions, and SAW that he deposited the
money in a portmantcau, which lay in the
room. Dinner was no sooner over than he
ordered his piper to strike up new tune
and in few minutes Rob's men surround
cd the house six of them entered with
s. drawn swords-when Rob, laying hold his
own, desired the factor to deliver him tho
money which he had collected, and which
: he said was his due. Resistance was use
less; the money was given up, and Rol
granted receipt for it. But as he conceiv-
ed that the factor was accessory to the In
fringement of the contract that deprived hin
of his estate, he resolved to punish him
Accordingly he had him conveyed and pla
ccd in an island near the west end of Loci
Ketturrin, now rendered conspicuous as thu
supposed residence of the fair Ellen, the la
dy ofthe Lake.
"----th the shores around;
Twas all so close with copsewood bound,
Nor track nor pathway might declare
That human foot frcquentcd there
Here, for retreat in dangerous hour,
Some chief had framed arustiC bower"
In this island was Orchil confined for SON
weeks and, when set at liberty, was ad
monished by Rob Roy no mocc to collect tn
rents of that country, which llc meant in i'll
ture to do himself, maintaining, that as tn
lands originally belonged to the Macgrc
gors, who lost them by attainNer, such q
lcnatioM was an unnatural and Illegal dcpri
vation of the right Of succecdiHg generations
and, from this conviction, he was the con
stant enemy of the Grahisms, the Murray'
and the Drummonds, who then claimed, an
still inherit, those extensive domains.
Among other coercive measures, whic
from time to time were adopted to supprc:
the practices Of the Macgrcgors, was ths
of planting garrison i'll their country at II
versnaid, upon the spot from whence Ro
Roy took lis title. The immoderate bound
to which the rigorous DEGREES Of govern
inent had been carried, not only BY its imne
diate instrument the military, but also
the other clans who surrounded the Mac
gregors, drove them to such despcratio
that they held the laws in contempt, as the
were wholly precluded from their benefit
so that nothing appeared too hazardous nc
is too fragrant for them to perform. This fol
nd tress had been set down some time betor
. any sally from it had given annoyance
e. Macgregor; and though the number OF so
re diers which it generally contained were n
wv great obstruction in his estimation, yet the
ut were sort of check upon those small pal
re ties which he some seasons sent forth. II
to therefore determined to intimidate the gal