Trials of James, Duncan, and Robert M'Gregor, three sons of the celebrated Rob Roy

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of attachment, and entire devotion of spirit ;
the united power of the world, tainted as it
is every where with selfishness and faction,
could not long withstand its energy, or arrest
its progress to universal dominion.
It is true that this scheme of local autho-
rity was in a great measure subversive of the
power of the general government; and that it
depended on the temper and character of the
chiefs, whether the legislature of the king-
dom should be obeyed, — except by the imme-
diate application of force, within their isolated
territories. The laws were of course disre-
garded ; and the clans holding themselves
but little responsible to them in the affairs
either of war or peace, were often in a state
of open disobedience and rebellion. — Their
isolated situation, and the principle of family
attachment on which the clans were indivi-
dually united, rendered them jealous of each
other ; and their rude and imperfect notions
of justice, led to frequent encroachments — to
constant broils— -and almost unremitting hos-
tilities. There is nothing accordingly for
which they are more distinguished, than the
frequency and violence of their feuds, which
were conducted in daring violation of- the
laws, if indeed, the legislature, which was
too feeble to protect from aggression,, had