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It is observed in the Statistical Account of Scotland—
that if a Highlander is forced or induced to leave the
small circle which occupied his first affections, he cares
not how far he
goes from home. Going to another parish, or the district of another
clan, is to him an entire banishment; and when he has resolved to set out,
whether from necessity or choice, he would as soon cross the Atlantic as
he would cross an arm of the sea. It is only an immediate and very clear
advantage that would induce him to stop.’
Of the truth of this observation I had myself a
remarkable proof. Among the people engaged for my settlement in America
were a few bound under indenture to a certain number of years service, and
who at the end of that time were to receive small lots of land. Not having
a convenient opportunity of taking them out along with the other settlers,
I found employment for them for some months on my estate in the south of
Scotland. Some of my friends imagined that they might be induced to settle
in that neighbourhood, and, though I was not sanguine as to the probable
result, I did not wish to dissuade the attempt. Every reasonable
encouragement was accordingly offered; but the most favourable answer that
could be obtained was, that if the same quantity of land was to be given
to them, and on the same terms as in America, they would take
the proposal into consideration. |
