And as this gives them a kind of authority to traverse the country, so it makes them capable of doing any mischief.

These corps through the Highlands make altogether a very considerable body of men, inured from their infancy to the greatest fatigues, and very capable, to act in a military way when occasion offers.
"People who are ignorant and enthusiastic, who are in absolute dependence upon their chief or landlord, who are directed in their consciences by Roman Catholic priests, or nonjuring clergymen, and who are not masters of any property, may easily be formed into any mould.

They fear no dangers, as they have nothing to lose, and so can with ease be induced to attempt anything.

Nothing can make their condition worse: confusions and troubles do commonly indulge them in such licentiousness, that by these they better it."* * Letters from the North of Scotland, vol.ii.pp.

344, 345.
As the practice of contracting for black-mail was an obvious encouragement to rapine, and a great obstacle to the course of justice, it was, by the statute 1567, chap.