Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

36 HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF
of the laws of the land, they considered themselves free
to exercise their own powers, in levying compulsatory
imposts of black-mail, or other contributory fees, as best
suited their peculiar circumstances : and, as the govern-
ment had marked them for its prey, they, in return, dis-
regarded its enactments, and were heartily disposed to
give opposition to all its friends and supporters. Under
such impressions it will not appear surprising that the
Macgregors continued their irregularities, and were accused
of various deeds of " heavy oppression, having broken
forth over the counties of Perth, Stirling, Clackmannan,
Monteith, Lennox, Angus and Mearns, the sheriffs of
which, with the Stewarts of Stratherne, Monteith, Bamffe,
Invernesse, Elgin and Forres, along with the earls of
Errole, Montrose, Athol, Perth, Tullibardin, Sea-fort,
the lords Stormount, Ogilvie, the lairds of Glenurchy,
Lawers, Grantullie, Weymes, Glenlyon, Glenfallach,
Edinample and Grant, were ordered to hunt, mutilate,
and slay them, for their rebellious practices." This curi-
ous act, 1633, says, " That by the great care of his high-
ness umwhill dearest father of eternal memory, the clan
Gregor was supprest and reduced to quietnesse ; yet that
of late they are broke out. And for the timeous preventing
the disorder that may fall out by the said name and clan
of Macgregor, ratifie all acts against the wicked and re-
bellious clan, and ordain that every one of them, as they
come to the age of sixteen years, shall thereafter give
their appearance before the Lords of Privie Council, to
find caution for their good behaviour and obedience in all
time coming, and to take to them some other surname.
And farther, for the better extinguishing and extirpating
of the said wicked and lawless Limmers, ordaine that no
minister nor preachers within the bounds of the High-