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The Second or "New" Statistical Account - 1834 to 1845
Parish of Tongue, County of Sutherland
Presbytery of Tongue, Synod of Sutherland and Caithness
The Rev. Hugh Mackay Mackenzie, Minister
Miscellaneous Observations Continued
In the meantime, the lamented death of the proprietor put a stop to improvements, and many of the people were, by the building of these very houses, more deeply than before plunged into debt. From this cause, from the failure of the fishing, and from a series of adverse seasons, arrears again accumulated to a great amount.
Upon the accession of the present Duke of Sutherland, his attention was arrested by this evil; and, persuaded that, to reclaim these arrears, was impossible, without ruining his people, he determined to cancel the whole. In this parish, the arrears for rent alone amounted to L. 1582. This deed of princely generosity has not failed to make a suitable impression upon a people strongly susceptible of gratitude, and deserves to have a prominent place assigned it in any public account of the parish. After such conduct, every one must feel that his Grace has the interest of his people deeply at heart. That their interest, however, may be really secured, it is absolutely necessary to open up for them sources of industry, to encourage such as are desirous to improve and to introduce a different system of agriculture from the present among the small tenants.
Some of the large farms are susceptible of being extensively and profitably cultivated; but the farmers, from the amount of capital they have already at stake, and from the shortness of their leases, in which there are no extensive improving conditions, are prevented from cultivating as they might, and as some feel inclined; and the people are deprived of much work which they might otherwise have. And certainly it would be more satisfactory to see our labourers thus employed at home, than going to the south, where their morals are endangered; where their expenses eat up a great proportion of their earnings; and where, very frequently, they are disabled for a length of time by diseases caught in the wretched lodging-houses, to which they must have recourse, and whence they often carry infection to their native Country.
As to the agriculture of the small tenants wretched as it is at present, it is capable of great improvement. The foundation of the evils now attending both it and them, is not the amount of rent, but the smallness of the crofts. This it is which debars a proper rotation, and which causes rents to he ill paid. And though, by the concurrence of favourable circumstances, and a powerful stimulus to the feelings, calling forth uncommon exertion on the part of the tenants, the rents may be defrayed once or twice, this cannot be expected to continue. For it must be evident, that when a people, depending mainly on the land for their sustenance, cannot be supported thereby more than seven or eight months, (which is the case in most seasons with the tenantry of this parish), they must expend whatever little money may be collected in different ways, in providing the staff of life during the remainder of the year. Were, however, the crofts of the tenants enlarged to twice their present size, and, fenced in, so as to admit of a proper rotation, then they would be adequate to their maintenance; and the sale of cattle, decently fed, would enable them with ease to pay a full rent; whilst the produce of any day labour would, as it certainly should, be at their own disposal. Now, there is scarcely a hamlet in the parish in which the arable land might not be doubled. That the people themselves, who have only one year's tenure of their land, and who can only liquidate their debts by work, for which they are paid in cash, should improve so extensively, is not to be expected. If done at all, the proprietor must pay them for their labour until a crop is efficiently laid down; then a rent may be exacted, which would bring in a handsome interest on the outlay.
There are many families, however, in great destitution, who have at present no land who could not, therefore, be benefited by the foregoing plan. Were sources of industry opened up, some of these might thereby be supported. But the most satisfactory method of disposing of these would be, to locate them in villages at the several fishing-stations; to build commodious harbours; to encourage enterprising curers to settle among them; and to secure a market for every species of fish: and thus, while the former depended wholly on the land, these should be made to depend wholly on the sea. Though the herring might occasionally fail, vast quantities of other fish could be caught on the coast, which are at present never brought to market; and, as there is a probability that a steamer will soon ply on this coast from Caithness to Liverpool, a great inducement is held out prosecute this trade with vigour. By this communication, all the exports of the country could obtain a ready market in the south.
In conclusion, the writer expresses his full conviction, the result of long observation, and many anxious thoughts on the subject, that unless such, or some such plans are adopted regarding the interesting peasantry of his parish, the time will soon arrive when there will be no alternative but emigration, at the expense either of landlord or Government; a poor law assessment, or, worse than either, a summary and universal ejection. Yet, relying on the wealth and patriotic feelings of the Noble proprietor, and on the skill and intelligence of his agents, he confidently expects that these sore evils will be prevented, and that the next Statistical Account will have to record an improvement in the aspect of the parish, and an amelioration in the condition of the people, which will be alike profitable and honourable to all parties.
January 1841.
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