The chiefs of Grant - Electric Scotland

1811.] Ki;i:exio.\ OF L);\v].sTo\vN in UKQiuAur. 4li)
wide, the lots to be smaller than those iu (IrantowJi, as there was less space
available. It would apj)ear that various ])ai-(ies iu the ueiglibourliood
had been dispossessed of their holdings by a new set of leases, and I\lr.
Grau.f indicates his de^-ire to prefer them to possessions in t'jo pro]vi~r'd
tow;.. Every (ncour;;:,oment was to be given to tradesmen, :
.id tlie l^'iius
of oii.upiatiou A>ere to l.)e economically stated, so that '"the ]i.)orest ijidivi-
dual. jirovided he is a man of good character, may be settled, and have an
opportunity of maintaining his family, availing himself of his industry, and
bringing up his children in such a manner as to be of use to themselves
and theu' countr}-."
On the death of his father, Sir Ludovick Grant, on ISth March 1773,
Sir James Grant succeeded to the Grant title and estates. From that
time, for many years. Sir James maintained an even course of life, making-
no obtrusive hgure in public aftalrs, but 3"et ready to do his dut}- to the
party he supported. "While in Parliament as representative of the county
of Moray from 17G1 to 17GS, Sir James supported the Govcrmncnt of jMr.
Pitt, and he was the friend and correspondent of ]\Ir. Dundas, afterwards
Lord Melville. Much of his attention was also given to his estates, with
a view to improving the state of agriculture in Strathspey and Urquhart.
Notwithstanding Sir James Grant's earnest desire that all his dependants
should be comfortable, matters did not altogether work smoothly. In 1780
a correspondent of Sir James Grant comments on the turbulent state of
the district of Urcjuhart, and also on the diiliculties encountered there and
in Strathspey, in obtaining jiunctual payment of rents.^ A few months
previous, on Kith December 1779, ^Ir. Macgregor, Sir James Grant's factor,
had been stabbed in the side just after a rent collection. No cause was
assigned for the assault, except, apparently, that the assailant (Allan Grant)
was intoxicated.^ The factor recovered, and Allan Grant was tried befure
the Circuit Court, but received a comparatively light punishment.'*
Sir James Grant's efiorts for the good of liis estates were much hin-
dered by the large encmnbrances which burdened his property. These
' Draft schemt; as to Lewistown, c. 1709, at -^ Letters at (.'a^tle Grant.
Castle (hant.
2 Letter dated 4th May 17S0, vol. ii. of this ' Letter dated 17tli Juno 17S0, vol. ii. of this
work, p 4C9. work, \i. 471.
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