Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1849-10-04
MlsGELLAMY.
Rob Roy and the cOrOnOtted Cattle
Dealer.

"Robert M'Gregor, third son of Lieut..
Colonel Donald M'Gregor, of Glengyle,
Perthshire, by daughter Of Campbell
of Glenlyon, was known as the celebra-
ted Rob Roy, a man of singular intrepi-
dity and distinguished valor. His lands,
though of little value were Of cousidera-
BILE extent they extended from the head
of Loeb Lomond, twelve miles along the
eastern border, and stretched into the in
terror of the country, and partly round
the base of the stupendous mountain of
Ben Lomond. The Marquis of Montrose,
his near neighbor, foreseeing the necessi
tyaol gaining Rob Roy s confidence, made
a proposal of entering into partnership
with him in the trade of cattle dealing.
In this plan Rob Roy readily acquiesced,
and, being considered good Judge of
cattle, Montrose had askery relianee on
his abilities, and advanced him, is a part
ner, one thousand merks, besides the
original sum laid out in the purchase of
cattle. Montrose, at different periods,
advanced him money On the security of
his estates. They carried on the trade
of cattle dealing with success, till one of
the name of Macdonald, an inferior part
ner, fed with large sum of money,
which loss greatly impeded Rob Roy's
trading concerns, and rendered him in
capable of paying Montrose. The part
nership being dissolved owing to the cir
cumstance, Montrose Immediately in
stituted lawsuit against Rob Roy, by
which the latter was compelled to give
his lands ia wadset, On condition that
they should again be restored to him,
provided he could pay the money.
Sometime thereafter, Rob Roy's finances
having improved, he offered to return
the sum for which his estate was held,
but it was pretended that, besides inter-
est, and various other expenses. the
amount had greatly increased; and, also,
that it would require considerable time
to look over the various accounts, in Or
der to forma correct statement, and to
see how matters stood between them
By this equivocal conduct Rob Roy was
sometime amused, and ultimately depri-
we'd Of his property. Mr. Graham, of
Killern, the Marquis Of Montrose's cham
berlain, oxer-zealous in his masters SER
vice, had resource to mode Of expulsion
inconsistent with the laws of humanity,
by insulting Mrs. M'Gregor, and depii-
wing her of her house and property in
her husbands absence, and which great
ly justified the measures of retaliation
which he afterwards adopted. Rob Roy
subsequently, to his expulsion from his
estate, had been contractor for aiding
the police of different districts on thu
borders of the Highlands, and made a
special agreement with the proprietors,
tenantry, and all classes Of people in
those districts, to protect their property
from free-booters, who were in the habit
of plundering and committing depreda
tions on the more defenceless districts
The money paid for this protection " as
called black mail, and was paid agreea-
| bly, to the conditions agreed upon by the
| contracting parties. By vigilance and
activity com ined with justice and hon
esty Of principle. peace was in few
years established throughout the country
| On firm anG lasting foundation, and con
tinued to operate without the aid of con
tractors, watchers, or guarantees"