History of the Clan MacLean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period

152 HiSTOEY OF THE ClAN MacLeAX.
forbade the use of firearms of any description, for any purpose ■whatever.
This was " awing to their monstrous deadly fueds." The eigJiih provided
agaibst bards and other idlers of the class, who were first threatened with the
stocks and then with banishment. The ninth contained some necessary enact-
ments for the enforcement of the preceding.*
Taken as a whole, the " Statutes of Icolmkill "' were wise and salutary.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Highlanders sufi'ered much from the
capricious conduct of James VI. and his predecessors, yet it is true, however
startling may be the fact, that the first traces of that unwavering and over-
flowing loyalty to the house of Stuart, for which they have been so highly and
so persistently lauded, are to be found in that generation of their chiefs
where education was conducted on the high church and state principles as
laid down by Andrew Knox, bishop of the Isles. These measures must have
been considered by the assembled chiefs as promising beneficial resvilts, for
it does not appear that they attempted the least opposition to their operation.
At the time the bishop returned from the Isles a complaint was made to
the lord commissioners by MacLean of Duard and MacDonald of Islay, and
other chieftains, on account of a certain oppressive proclamation against the
Western Isles. It does not appear by whom this proclamation was made ; but
it was well calculated to cut off the king's revenues in the Isles. The privy
council passed the following act, in response, dated at Edinburgh, 28th Sep-
tember, 1609. "Forsamekle as Hector McClayne of Dowart, Angus Mc-
Coneill of Dunyvaig and certane utheris chiftanes of the Yllis who ar addebtit
to the Kingis Majestic in the maillis and dewyteis of thair landis, hes of lait
meanit thameselffis unto the Lordis Commissionaris, that thay ar verie far
prejugeit and maid unable to pay his Majesties dewyteis of thair landis, be
ressoun of a Proclamatioun and Prohibitioun maid within the boundis of Ergyle
that no mercheantis or utheris sail buy ony mairtis,f horses, or utheris goodis
within the boundis of Mule or ony utheris of the West Yllis; The saidis
yllismen having no utheris meanes nor possibilitie to pay his Majesteis dewy-
teis bot be the sale of thair mairtis and horsses ; and the buying of such com-
moditeis being in all tymes begane a free, constant, and peccable trade to the
merchandis alsweill of Ergyll as of the incuntrey, without ony restrent,
trouble, questioun, or impediment moved or intended in the contrair at ony
tyme heirtofoir ; Quhairby as the makaris of that Proclamatioun hes commit-
* See Gregory's Wesiern Hig}ilavds,\>'p. ?)2^-ZZo. \ Marts; cattle fattened fi>r winter con-
sumption.