An act was also passed for vesting the estates of the traitors in the crown, under the influence of which, they were for the most part leased out to favoured individuals, in small lots, and upon very easy terms. These acts, however, taken singly or altogether, would have been of little avail either for tranquilizing or improving the state of the country, had they not been followed by another for abolishing in ScotJand those heritable jurisdictions, which, especially in the Highlands, were as yet as extensive as they had been in the most barbarous ages, and subjected the vassal, both in life and property, nearly, if not altogether, to the caprice of his superiors. As these jurisdictions, however, were considered as private rights belonging to certain families, and secured to them by the treaty of union, it was necessary that a compensation should be made to the possessors of them; in order to which, they were to enter their claims before the court of session, which was empowered summarily to examine and determine upon these claims, as well as upon the values attached to them.*

George Robertson of Faskelly,
James Robertson of Blairfetty,
Alexander Robertson of Strouan,
Duncan Robertson of Drummachean,
Donald Smith, merchant in Aberdeen,
David Smith of Inveramsay,

Daniel Spalding, otherwise Spaldane of
Ashertully,

James Stirling of Craig Barnett,
Charles Stewart of Ballachallan,
David Stewart of Kinnachin,

Robert Stewart of Killibarry, otherwise
Killihasly,

John Turner, the younger of Turner-
hall,
Alexander Thomson, otherwise Thomp

son of Fechfield, otherwise Fochfield,
otherwise Fairfield,

David Tulloch of Bugtown, otherwise
Bugtoun,

William Vauchan, the younger of Court-
field, in the countie of Monmouth,
Andrew Wauchopp, otherwise Warcupp
of Nidrie, esquire, and

Alexander White, the younger of Ardlehill.

These gentlemen were afterwards proceeded against in absence, for high treason, and true bills found against the greater part of them, in consequence of which their estates were placed at the mercy of the government.-Scots Magazine for 1747 and 1748.

• The following table shows how much was claimed by each, and how much was allowed by the court. The sums annexed to, and claimed for the different offices, we doubt not will appear to the reader to be enormous, but a short history of the manner in which they had been executed, would demonstrate that in many instances they were made to be fully worth the money; and by many of the possessors they were not given up but with the utmost reluctance. "If it were at my option," says one," I would not have parted with them for any recompense in money as reckoning them of the greatest consequence to my family." "It would have been extremely agreeable to

This act was to take effect from the fifth day of March, 1748, and though it gave much offence, and was violently opposed, was certainly the most beneficial for Scotland of any that had been passed since the Union. By it "all heritable

your petitioner," says another," to have continued in the possession of this right of jurisdiction, which has been enjoyed by him and his predecessors for several hundred years;" and after hoping the compensation will be at least L.2000, he adds, "at least he is certain, that that sum would not have tempted him to have made a voluntary alienation of it."

jurisdictions of justiciary, and all regalities and heritable bailleries, and all heritable constabularies, other than the office of high constable of Scotland, and all stewartries, being parts only of shires or counties, and all sheriffships, and deputy

sheriffships of districts, being parts only of shires or counties, belonging unto, or possessed or claimed by any subject or subjects, and all jurisdictions, powers, authorities, and privileges thereunto appurtenant or annexed, or dependant there

upon, were abrogated, taken away, and totally dissolved and extinguished." These jurisdictions, powers, and authorities, were vested in the court of session, court of justiciary at Edinburgh, the judges in the several circuits, and the courts of the