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THE HIGHLANDS IN 1791.
A REPORT BY THE S.P.C.K.
In course of looking over
the volumes of the “Courier” we came on traces of a report on the
condition of the Highlands in 1791, issued by the Society for
Propagating Christian Knowledge. Through the courtesy of Mr Nisbet, W.S.,
secretary to the Highland Education Trust (the successor of the S.P.C.K.),
we have obtained a copy of this report, and give it below. It will
interest many readers as an authentic document, issued at a time when
social changes were going forward in the Highlands. Although not
complimentary to landlords, it does not hesitate to lay a finger on the
economic side of the question. Remedies were proposed in a hopeful
spirit, but we can see now that they had no chance of success.
The origin of the Report is given as follows in the proceedings of the
Society from September 1790 to November 1791. “The remote Western
Highlands and Islands, of all the counties of Scotland, were the least
know to the Society, and of all those to which then attention is called
by their patents, had least experienced the benefit of their
institution. It was resolved that the secretary should visit these
distant and widely extended districts, enquire into the state of
religion, literature, and industry among their inhabitants, and report
to the Society such plans as should appear most likely to promote their
improvement. A general outline of a tour for this purpose was agreed
upon by the directors in concert with the secretary; and he was
instructed to begin his journey as soon after the anniversary meeting in
June as possible.”
Tho secretary at the time was the Rev. Dr John Kemp, collegiate minister
of Tol-booth Church, Edinburgh. He had been translated to that church
from Trinity Gask in 1779, and in 1789 was elected to the office of
secretary to the S.P.C.K. The notice given of him in Scott’s Fasti
says—“His able and successful exertions in favour of the above-mentioned
Society well merited their respect and gratitude. The tours which were
continued by him for successive years were essentially useful in
producing a body of information respecting their schools and missions in
the highlands.” Among his publications is mentioned an Account of the
Society, published in 1796. Dr Kemp died in 1805, in the 61st year of
his age and the 36th of his ministry.
Subjoined is the report: —
Excerpt from the Report of the Directors of the Society for Propagating
Christian Knowledge for the year to November 1791: —
A variety of causes have contributed to produce that rage for emigration
to America, which now obtains, in many parts of the Highlands and
Islands. Among these are to be numbered, it is true, the causes commonly
assigned, viz., the dispeopling in great measure of large tracts of
country in order to make room for sheep —the conversion of small into
great farms, to the exclusion of the inferior order of tenants—the
prejudice, almost invincible, which many Highland proprietors entertain
against granting any leases, or leases of a sufficient length to
encourage the tenant’s to improve their farms—the eagerness with which
some landholders raise their rents, while they furnish neither the means
nor instruction as to the manner by which the tenants may be enabled to
pay them ; the non-residence of the proprietors, and their total want of
tenderness for, or attention to their people, in consequence of which
the ancient confidence and affection subsisting between chiefs and their
clans are greatly weakened, in some parts of the country totally
annihilated. Add to these the claims of affection and kindred vehemently
urged, by those who have already emigrated, on their friends and
neighbours at homo to induce them to follow their example; and the
flattering, perhaps insidious, representations of agents, employed by
purchasers of land in America, to engage settlers to remove to their
estates; add likewise the contagion of example and the infectious spirit
of wandering which often, without reason from the immediate pressure of
grievances felt, seizes upon a body of people, and you have a list of
the commonly assigned, and in part true causes of emigration. At the
same time, an attentive and general observation of the present state of
the Highlands and Islands, it is imagined, will fully warrant the
assertion that the great and most universally operating cause of
emigration is that in comparison of the means of subsistence which they
afford, these counties are greatly overstocked with inhabitants.
Intestine wars and feuds, by which numbers of them in former ages were
cut off, have for many years been unknown. No drains for the supply of
the army and navy have of late been made. Add to this that the people
are prolific to an uncommon degree. Want and misery staring them in the
face, prevent not, among these simple uncorrupted people, the early
marriage of both sexes; and the children seldom fail to be numerous.
The climate in these countries is generally unfriendly to the growth of
corn. Rains prevail through a great part of the year; seed-time and
harvest are late, and the scanty crop is with difficulty got in, seldom
without injury from the weather. Oats and barley, or rather bear, both
of an inferior kind, are almost the only species of grain raised in
these countries. Oats at an average yield only about three, and bear
about six returns. The expense of raising even these poor crops in
comparison of their value is immense. From these various causes many
most intelligent observers of the state of these countries are of
opinion that the raising of corn ought seldom comparatively to be
attempted in the Western Highlands and Islands, and that the attention
of farmers ought to be confined to the improvement of their pasture
lands, and the cultivation of potatoes and other green crops. Were the
odious and unproductive tax upon coals to be abolished, and the malt
laws so amended or explained that that essential commodity might be
furnished in abundance to the people for the curing of their fish for
home-consumption, their condition would be amended to an astonishing
degree. But to the complete improvement of the country and the situation
of its inhabitants the introduction of manufactures is Indispensably
necessary. Of these they are ignorant to a degree, almost inconceivable
by people who live only a hundred miles from them.
Spinning on the wheel, the simplest branch of female industry, is in
many parts of the country almost unknown. The coarse cloths used for
home consumption, “both linen and woollen, are spun by the women on the
distaff, chiefly while engaged in attending the cattle or in the labours
of the field, a great part of the drudgery of which is performed by them
while the men are either idle or engaged in fishing. Women carry seaweed
to the kelp kilns and! manure to the fields on their backs, and in many
respects are used as beasts of burden. To almost all the arts of female
industry within doors 'they are strangers, so that the greatest part of
the winter months they spend in absolute idleness, subsist long with the
rest of the families to they belong upon two meals of the coarsest fare
in the 24 hours; and happy would the bulk of the people in these
countries deem themselves if even, of 6uch fare, they had twice in the
day what would satisfy the demands of nature.
The introduction of manufactures into these countries of all expedients
is the best adapted for their improvement. This is a proposition too
obvious to require proof or illustration. Difficulties as may be
naturally supposed must attend the accomplishment of this object; but
were proprietors to pay that attention to it, which its importance to
their own interest as well as the happiness of their people demand, it
is imagined that these difficulties would soon be found not only not
unsurmountable but easy to be overcome.
Among the causes which contributed to prevent the success of former
attempts for the introduction of manufactures into the Highlands, may be
reckoned the very great expense in buildings, salaries of agents,
factors, etc., with which they were conducted, and their aiming at too
high objects at the outset.
To begin with the simplest principles; to make the people employed feel
the immediate and full benefit of their own industry and to proceed
gradually, suffering the manufacture to support itself, or nearly so, in
its various progressive stages, seems to be the most probable, as it
6urely is the least hazardous mode of ensuring success.
The spinning of flax, hemp, cotton, or wool is the first step towards
the introduction of the manufactures best adapted to the Highlands and
Islands. Different opinions are entertained as to which of them the
preference is due. The argument in favour of wool, the raw material
being the produce of the country, is unquestionably strong. But if
inclination, convenience, or interest, should lead to a preference of
any of the rest, why should not the experiment be made? Let but the
spirit of the habits and profits of industry be introduced among the
people, and one species of manufacture will be found by no means to
interfere with another. It will rather excite an emulation favourable to
all. Habits of application and industry when once formed may easily be
directed into that channel which experience shall teach to be most
advantageous.
Indolence is commonly considered as the most predominant feature in the
character of the Highlanders. Nothing can be a greater mistake. No
people are more quick-sighted in discerning their own interest, when
placed within the sphere of their observation, or more patient or
persevering in its pursuit If, indeed, when but half-fed and
half-clothed, their 6pirit broken by oppression, and they forced to
labour, not for themselves or their families, but for others, their
exertions are but feeble it is not to be wondered. But whenever the
Highlanders enjoy the common advantages which free Britons^ do in other
parts of the kingdom, experience and observation warrant the assertion
that they are excelled by none in quickness of apprehension or alertness
of execution. Their spirit and activity in the army and navy are well
known and have been the subject of many eulogiums from persons of the
most distinguished character. Their sobriety, regularity, and steadiness
in common life are no less highly celebrated by all who have occasion to
employ them as labourers or artisans in works in which use has taught
them skill and dexterity.
How much then will it be a subject of regret, if a body of people
possessing such natural capacities of usefulness shall in consequence of
the spirit of . emigration to America, which now prevails, Be for ever
lost to their own country! However unconcerned many proprietors may be
as to this point; however they may coldly and unfeelingly think, and
declare, that whatever loss the public may sustain, emigration is of
advantage to them by relieving their estates of a useless incumbrance;
be me gentlemen of extensive fortune and influence more liberal and
extensive in their views have manifested a laudable zeal for the
prevention of so great ;an evil to their country, and the patriotic
exertions of some private citizens who have of late distinguished
themselves by the wise and prudent plans they have devised for this
purpose will not, it is hoped, fail of success.
The secretary was assured upon authority, which appeared to him
conclusive, that since the year 1772 no less than sixteen vessels full
of emigrants have sailed from the western parts of the counties of
Inverness and Ross alone, containing, it is supposed, 6400 souls, and
carrying with them, in specie, at least £38,400 sterling.
Administration, it is scarcely to be doubted, will take this matter into
serious consideration and adopt such measures as in a consistency with
the liberties and genius of a free people, and united with the efforts
of individuals and private societies may induce the inhabitants of the
Highlands and Islands still to retain their wonted preference of their
native country above every foreign dime.
To introduce and give encouragement to manufactures among them it has
already been stated is one of the most obvious and easy to be
accomplished methods which can be followed for this purpose ; and to the
attainment of this object the Society for Propagating Christian
Knowledge will not be wanting by 6uch measures as, upon mature
investigation, shall appear to be best adapted to the end. Of these one
of the simplest, as well as most congenial, to their institution and
practices is the appointment of persons properly qualified to teach the
first rudiments of industry and manufacture to a rude and ignorant
people. But they will naturally look for, and insist upon, the
countenance and co-operation of the proprietors of those estates into
which these improvements are proposed to be introduced. |
