Series 1 > Diary of the Reverend John Mill, minister of the parishes of Dunrossness Sandwick and Cunningsburgh in Shetland, 1740-1803. With selections from local records and original documents relating to the district

55
1773] FRENCH AND AMERICAN WAR
before it came to the isle one man was found dead for want, (or
rather some other disease—interlined). Wickedness abounded
there also; ’tis said Brough1 the proprietor brought in a
strumpet who set him up against the best people of the isle,
for discountenancing their wickedness, which prompted him
to give them warnings for removal:—the Sabbath was pro¬
faned, the Kirk fallen. Shall I not visit for these things etc.
The whole creation groans. Horses, cattle etc. were dying
fast through the countrey through scarcity and badness of the
fodder. I suffered in the common calamity—two horse beasts
and 9 cattle, and two of these milch cows near calving; yet,
blessed be His great name who mixes mercy with judgment,
they were soon supplied by purchase of three cows and two
pretty young staggs.2
In August, we had accounts of a running naval fight of
one of our squadrons under Admiral Keppel with a French
squadron oft* Brest3—is of little consequence, though we got
the better of them. Commissioners sent to the Congress in
America with proposals of peace—Re Infecta. Severe claps
of thunder, with strong flashes of lightnings, were here in
the nighttime.
October. We had a sett of fine weather, which ripened the
com well, and all was got in safe, and in good condition
beyond expectation, for a severe storm of wind that blasted
some and threatened the whole preceded the harvest; but
the Lord was pleased to mix mercy with judgment and dis¬
appointed our fears; otherwise [we] had been in a worse
situation than last season, and numbers in the Countrey would
probably have perished by famine. O ! that men would praise
the Lord for His goodness etc.
November. The packet brings accounts that the war with
1 Stewart of Brough in Orkney, then proprietor of the Fair Isle. On the
death of the last of that family, the island was purchased, in 1866, by the
present Mr. Bruce of Sumburgh.
2 Stagg, or Staig, a young horse.
3 This was the unfortunate engagement of the I2th of July, which led to the
trial of Admiral Keppel, in which, however, he was acquitted.