New Spalding Club > Records of Invercauld MDXLVII - MDCCCXXVIII [1547- 1828]

340 RECORDS OF INVERCAULD.
be straight, I verrely believe by lying out a hundred and fifty pounds to
Inclose betwixt the roks and feet of the Glen, Invercauld shair would
fence and feed three hundred cattle which at a moderat competation
would be a hundred and fifty pounds a year. The cause of knowledge I
have of what it would feed of cattle [is] that frequently there was above
seven hundred head of low country cattal grased in it besides vast
numbers of sheep and horses, and ye may easily believe that the grass
which thie eats would feed them sufisently. I'm certain Dalmunzie will
willingly divid and buld the half of the march dek which will be an
advantage to both and turn the glen to the proper use which it was not
formerly. I'll hear joyn in Respectful Compliments to you.
Dear Sir,
your most obedient and
humble sert. Robertson.
Cray 13th Octr.
1767."
As above noticed, and also in the Estate Papers, James of Invercauld
had no little trouble in settling claims of pasturage and other servitudes
on his recently acquired properties in Perthshire.
The following correspondence is evidence of their vexatious nature
and of the distressed condition of some of those he had to deal with : —
" Dr. Sir,
You are severall Letters in my Debt, and this adds to the
Number which is occasioned by the Inclosed Anathema by Mr. Beverage
in behalf of Mr. Mcintosh against which I hope you are in Condition to
defend yourself without any necessaty of being (Like Good Mr.
Dempster) caught in the fashionable snare of Bribery and Corruption —
you have indeed the memoriall he speaks of some months in your hands;
you will enable me to give your own answer allow me to Lay hold of
the same occasion to wish you Lady St. Clair and all your family a
happy and prosperous New year with Every occurence which can add to
your comfort.
" You will surely have heard of the D — of Athole and his family's
safe arrival at London without Any further Loss than that of two horses
on the road which Ribbons, politicks, and Xmas feasts will prevent his
Grace from saying [taking] much to heart.
" My wife Joins in her humble Duty to Lady St. Clair and I con-
tinue with regard
Dr. Sir,
Yours most obedient Servant
Jo : Mackenzie.
Edinb.' 1st Janry 1768
snowing hard and already deep."