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THE 
 
 RECORD. 
 
 TO 
 
 THE LABOURING PEOPLE OF FIFE. 
 
 IIOBERT GOURLAY, 
 
 Colom'al aaiTtJ*%cnt, 
 
 BrGsloav.. to intimate, that he laid the foundation of tliis business inUn 
 
 In t^""t"?,' ' '""r ?"'7.' '-d for months enjoyed flattering Zect'" 
 V . ^ -f. Z ^'"'P'^-''''''^ Councillors, he then called for enqu^rj into ?he 
 state o the Province, and would have carried that important mel^nest 11 
 urgently ,,,ju„.e,,, ,ad he not been betrayed, deserted, and ruin«rby 'these 
 ver/ men Lmer^uiK from unexampled persecution he now stam wkh 
 renewed hope, never for a moment having abandoned'his design 'u m 
 to estabhsh busmess and outface machinations to blast him af insane i 
 !M rposes to make the tour of the Kingdom. In country parisleJ he'w 1 
 advse labourers to form Emigration Societies: in Market Tow,l ," 
 rerse w,th{arn.er.s as to settlemeut abroad; and, in greater towns " 
 hyer discourses on tiie principles of Poor Law reform, and Emigration" 
 wherein he will prove, th-^t, without altering a single statj ?^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 iWt,!.? ; «"; "'■ '"'f-^^;'"^ ^"'f property, the whole sstem^Z 
 JoorLawsand liatesmmj be dispensed with in'iOvears, tohile the NaiLl,,:! 
 IJ,U may be paid off within 50 years, from salcs'of To/oS Lands 
 February Vuh 1»2(!. 
 
 PHOFvyn.i cicnsiT. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 PUBLISHED BY T. IRELAND, 
 
 OPPOSITE TIIK COLLEGE. 
 
 1829. 
 
 Price One Shilling. 
 
^^73 
 
 i 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 SIXTH SERIES. 
 
 John Lavvson, Mason. 
 David JMartin, Wnghl. 
 David Howie, Watch Maker. 
 James Kirk, Weaver. 
 
 EMIGRATION SOCIETIES. 
 
 No. I. 
 
 Mr. Gourlay returns grateful acknowledgements to Parishioners 
 of Ceres, and will be happy to see them for business, in the Bow- 
 Butts, by six o'clock, Monday morning, 24th March. 
 
 No. II. 
 
 Ceres, 2\ih March 1828. 
 Which day the people of this parish being assembled to consider of 
 the best means of raising aud upholding wages, and especially by 
 emigration, chose the following individuals to represent and act for 
 them, viz. 
 
 Alexander Christie, Tailor. 
 Andrew Turpie, Shoemaker. 
 Alexander Wilson, 1 ,- , 
 
 and Wm. Brown. J^ ^«^''«''^'-*- 
 
 These persons being together, had the Parliamentary Reports re- 
 specting labourers' wages and emigration laid before them : were 
 thereby made sensible of the evils resulting from redundant popula- 
 tion ; and of the great advantages, in point of living, to be secured 
 by emigration. 
 
 Seeing that no business could be matured or proceeded with till a 
 fund was provided, out of which expenses could be defrayed, they 
 agreed to make out lists of individuals in the parish, ranking them 
 respectively under the classes of Masons, Wrights, Smith.s, Weavers, 
 Tailors, Shoemakers, and Labourers in general : Also, to solicit from 
 these sixpence each, as beginning to such fund : Further, seeing that 
 labourers and weavers are numerous, they deem it necessary for ex- 
 pediting business, to have auxiliaries to assist the Representatives of 
 the said classes, viz. James Balfour, and William Mason, labourers ; 
 John Bell, William Louden, and George Balsillo, weavers. Con- 
 ceiving that all this may be accomplished in the course of a week, 
 they now adjourn till Monday, March 31, on which day they agree to 
 meet at the house of Mr. Michael Philp, by the hour of seven, after- 
 noon. 
 
 No. III. 
 
 Ceres, March 31, 1828. 
 This day the Committee being met, viz. John Lawson, David 
 Martin, David Howie, James Kirk, Alexander Christie, Andrew 
 
s 
 
 Turpie, and James Balfour, with the fallowing auxiliaries : James 
 Donaldson, David Taylor, George Kalsillo, John Bell, Thomas Law- 
 son, William Brown, and Robert Gourlay ; 
 
 John Lawson was chosen Chairmnn. 
 David IMartin, Treasurer. David Howie, Secrelarij. 
 
 The Committee then proceeded to examine the lists, when there 
 appeared to be enrolled : — 
 
 8 6 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 Mmoiis 17, and cash«£0 
 
 Wrights S3, and do 
 
 Smiths 16, and do 
 
 Weavers 180, and do. ~~1 
 
 Broufiht over £2 
 Tailors 3, and cash ~~-.() 
 Shoemakers {), and do.-O 
 Labourers 19, and do — 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 Over 
 
 £2 5 
 
 £2 1 
 
 5 6 
 
 It was then moved and agreed to, that those having lists do complete 
 the same, by getting every man's name enrolled, (from 15 years of 
 age and upwards,) with what more money they can, to be reported at 
 next Committee meeting. 
 
 It being reported that the inhabitants of Scoonie, Kennoway, 
 Cults, and Largo parishes, had met and chosen committees, for the 
 same end of promoting emigration, it was moved and carried that 
 four of this Committee be appointed to meet as delegates, ^yith three, 
 at least, from each of these parishes, to consult as to their general 
 interest, and to apply their joint funds to such purposes as to them 
 may appear best. It Avas moved and carried, that David IMartin, 
 David Howie, James Kirk, and Robert Gourlay, be delegated for this 
 parish ; and that they shall be at Keambridge, as a central point, by 
 11 o'clock of Saturday, April 5, there to meet other delegates, and 
 proceed to business. 
 
 Further, as it is proper that their time should be paid for in trans- 
 acting public business, it was agreed that 2s. Gd. shall be allowed to 
 each, out of the fund, for that day's expenses : and that the costs of 
 this 'meeting be also defrayed on the same principle. 
 
 The Committee noAv adjourned till INIonday, April 7, at the hour of 
 seven in the evening, in the house of John Lawson. 
 
 (Signed) John Lawson, Chairman. 
 
 No. IV. 
 
 Union, April 5, 1828. 
 
 This day Delegates from the Emigration Societies of Ceres, Scoonie, 
 Kennoway, Cults, and Largo, met according to resolutions of their 
 respective Committees, at Keambridge; and being invited to the 
 house of Mr. George Mathew, there partook of dinner : thanked Mr. 
 Mathew for his good will ; and, with his consent, gave the above 
 name, to his recently erected and comfortable residence. 
 
 After dinner, there appeared present for the parish of Ceres, David 
 Martin, David Howie, James Kirk, and Robert Gourlay. 
 
 For the parish of Scoonie, James Elder, Thomas Glass, and Wil- 
 liam Smith. , „ T ni .1 
 
 For the parish of Kennoway, Thomas Campbell, James Blythe, 
 
 and Robert Blythe. 
 

 
 () 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 For the parish of Cults, John Wishart, John Barclay, and John 
 Cairn ,. 
 
 For the parish of Largo, George Clark, Robert Annan, and George 
 Oreig. 
 
 With auxiliaries from Ceres, — George Mathcw, William Mathew, 
 John Wallace, and William IMartin. 
 
 For Scoonic, Robert Mitchell. 
 
 For Largo, James Fyal. 
 
 Thomas Glass was called to the Chair. 
 
 David Martin was elected Secretary, and James Blythe Treasurer 
 for the five united parishes. 
 
 The lists of the several parishes being examined, it was found that 
 these were still greatly deficient ; and it being an object of importance 
 to have them perfect, it was resolved and ordered, that ofllice-beartrs 
 of the respective parishes do proceed in completing the same in 
 classes, as follows : — 
 
 1st, including all JNIasons, Slaters, Plasterers, &c. 
 
 2d, Wrights, Sawyers, Turners, &c. 
 
 3d, Smiths, Founders, Watchmakers, Sec. 
 
 4th, Weavers, Flax-dressers, Mill-spinners, Bleachers, &c. 
 
 5th, Shopkeepers, Tailors, Bakers, Butchers, &c. 
 
 Gth, Shoemakers, Saddlers, Tanners, &c. 
 
 Tlh, Labourers, Farmers, Gardeners, Seamen, Fishers, &c. 
 
 It was reporled, that there had been collected in the parish of 
 
 Ceres, ^. <.<./ » »>.> «.. „ .,» .>. » .3b2 lo o 
 
 ocoonie, ^t f *.*n*t*»***^****»*****'**.*** vf lO y 
 
 
 Kennoway, 
 Cults, 
 Largo, - 
 
 1 10 lOJ 
 
 19 7 
 3 11 
 
 £6 6 7i 
 
 This being put into the hands of the Treasver, he was desired to pay 
 from tlie same 2s. 6d. to each of the sixteen delegates— in all £,% for 
 attendance on business this day. 
 
 It was then proposed and agreed to, that Robert Gourlay shall be 
 agent for the United Societies ; and that the sum of £4 be delivered 
 to him, for such purposes as he shall see most conducive to the com- 
 mon good ; and for the expenditure of which he shall be account- 
 It was proposed and ordered, that the Secretary do furnish copies 
 of this minute to each of the parish Secretaries, to lay before their 
 Committees ; and that the oflice-bearers of this meeting do adjourn 
 till INIonday, 28th April, at the hour of two o'clock, when they are 
 again invited to Union, by INIr. George Mathew. 
 
 (Signed) Thomas Glass, Chairman. 
 
TOASTS. 
 
 1*/, — Mr. and Mra. Mnthew : — Thanks for tlit-ir hospitality : and may 
 tliey live lonfr, Imppy, niid ])rospc'r(>ii.s, in Union. 
 
 2il, — JMrs. ^Mitclifll : — Tliiuiks for licr lucoimnodiitlon ; and may tlio 
 whole neighbourhood continue cordial, in Union. 
 
 3d, — The Labourers of Fife ; and may they speedily know their 
 htreuf^th and security, in Union. 
 
 4lh, — Tiie King ' ii/io can do no wrong,' and may he rjign for ever, 
 happy and glorious, in Union. 
 
 ^''''—'^''•e Kingdom of Fife ; and, may it be the centre round which 
 all the kingdoms of the earth become peaceable, Hourishing, and con- 
 tented, in UsioN. 
 
 Gth, yth, Ulh, (Compl'menlary toasts to Mr. Gourlay, hisfamilu, and 
 
 projects.) 
 9th, — Good afternoon ! happy to meet, happy to part ; and happy to 
 
 meet again, in Union. 
 
 No. V. 
 
 Ceres, April 'J th, 1828. 
 
 The Committee being this day met, pursuant to adjournineiit, there 
 were present: John Lawson, David IIowi(?, .Tames Kirk, Andrew 
 Turpie, and William Brown ; with auxiliaries, viz. David Taylor, 
 George Balsillo, and James Donaldson. 
 
 James Kirk being in the chair, the minute of the meeting at Union 
 was read ; nnd transactions there highly approved of. 
 
 The lists being still incomplete, the several members agreed to ex- 
 ert themselves in completing these by next meeting, fixed for Friday, 
 25th instant, at same place and hour. 
 
 (Signed) James Kirk, Chairman. 
 
 No. VI. 
 
 EailGRATION UNION. 
 
 Operatives of this parish, viz. all Masons, Wrights, Smiths, Weavers, 
 lailors, Shoemakers, and Labourers in general, are hereby invited to 
 meet at the house of by six o'clock, p. m. 
 
 April, for formmg an Emigration Society ; the only lawful, safe, and 
 certain means of raising and upholding wages. 
 
 No- VII. 
 ADDITIONAL SOCIETIES. 
 
 One formed at Markinch, April 8, 1828. The Committee met a 
 second time on the ]6th, and adjourned till the 25th 
 
 TVT T ^f, 'J;""""0"'l ^n t'le Chair : Andrew Pratt, Secretary ; James 
 Marshall, Treasurer. 
 
 • ^"^.i!Tt^ at East WemyssTA^ril 14, and the Committee ad- 
 journed till the 19th. 
 
 lan'd Tre Jurer'*^' '" *^^ ^^""^ ' '^''^" ^'^^'^ Secretary ; William Ire- 
 
 i 
 
One formed ut Kinglussie, April 14tli, and adjourned till 23d. 
 John Brown in the Chair; James Moyes, Secretary; Robert Wylie, 
 Treasurer. 
 
 One formed at Leslie, Aprill 15th. 
 
 John Low callod to the Chair ; William Ferguson, Secretary ; John 
 Robertson, Treasurer. Adjourned till the 21st A]mL 
 
 One formed for Dysart parish, April loth, adjourned till the 22d. 
 John Thombon in the Chuir ; Thomas Russel, Secretary ; John 
 Kilgour, Treasurer. 
 
 N.I3. — These five Socielics are loforhi a Union ai Orr-bridge. 
 
 No. VIII. 
 
 TAKE NOTICE. 
 Wher'^as 
 
 Thomas Wilson, Mason, 
 William Dunbar, WriglU, 
 James Wallace, Smith, 
 George White, Weaver, 
 
 William Luke, Shoemaker, 
 George Simpson, Tailor, 
 
 and 
 Thomas Brand, Labourer, 
 
 were regularly appointed by the people of this (Largo) parish to act 
 for them in an Emigration Society, and subscribed, March 29th, a 
 resolution that they would exerl themselves \u making out lists and 
 soliciting money. And whereas 
 
 George Brown, Mason, 
 William Dunbar, Wright, 
 William JNIitchel, Smith, 
 George White, Weaver, 
 
 George Simpson, Tailor, 
 Williaai Luke, Shoemaker, 
 
 and 
 Thomas Brand, Laliourer, 
 
 met on the 4th instant, and agreed to complete lists and collect money, 
 $ic. &c., the minute of which was signed by George Simpson. 
 
 And whereas many of the above-named persons have, without regu- 
 lar notice, retired from their posts, it becomes my duty, as agent for the 
 Emigration Society, to protest against conduct, uncivil to me, and un- 
 dutiful to the people of the parish. 
 
 I shall be at Mr. Lee's taveia by eleven o'clock, 28th instant, to re- 
 ceive apologies and correct errors. 
 
 JlOB. GOURLAY. 
 
 No. IX. 
 
 Union, April 28, 1828. 
 
 This day there appeared as delegates for Ceres, David Martin, 
 David Howie, and John Lawson. 
 
 For Scoonie, James Elder and John Brough. 
 
 For Kennoway, James Blythe and Robert Blythe. 
 
 For Cults, John Barclay. 
 
 For Largo, William Luke and George White, 
 with the following Auxiliaries, viz. — George Mathew, John Mathew, 
 and Andrew INIiller. 
 
 James Elder being called to the chair, the agent narrated what he 
 had done since last meeting, and submitted proposals as to publishing 
 the PURPOSES of the Emigration Union. All this being approved of, 
 he was authorized to continue in the same course, and to publish what 
 
 
 wmmmmmmmmmn 
 
6 
 
 may sccm proper, after inspection by the Secretary u.id Treasurer of 
 Cores Parish. 
 
 Tliere was paid into the hands of tlio Treasurer,— 
 
 From Ceres, - .. £0 
 
 From Hcoonie, - « 
 
 From Kennoway, - - 
 
 From Cults, - . . o 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 « 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 JLO 12 8 
 
 The former balance Iieing 7i 
 
 £0 li) 3i 
 This was ordered to bo paid into the hands of the ngcnt, to be ac- 
 cotiutcd for by him : and on his uotice they are to meet again. 
 
 Jaues Eldkii, Chnirtnan. 
 
 No. X. 
 
 PURPOSES OF EMIGRATION SOCIETIES, 
 UNION AND AGENCY. 
 
 7'o the Emigration Union of Ceres, Scoonie, Kennoway, Cults and 
 
 Largo. 
 
 On the 2nth April I narrated what had been done since our first 
 meeting, v/hich being approved of, you authorized me to continue in 
 the same course ; and having now formed other five Societies — (in all 
 fifteen) at Auchtermuchty, Kettle, Falkland, Strathmiglo, and Col- 
 lessie, to go into union at Dunshelt, you will readily believe that my 
 time has not been trifleu with, nor your money wasted. 
 
 You asked me to write out for publication, a Report of the Purposes 
 of our Institution, and nothing was more wanted ; seeing that groat 
 mistakes prevail as to these. 
 
 It has been thought that our fund was collecting to fit out emigrants 
 for Canada, than which nothing could be more absurd ; and because 
 of this absurdity, many have withheld contributions. 
 
 I have repeatedly said, that we may, by and by, aid emigrants by 
 means of a Savings Bank : but this scheme must have years to ma- 
 ture it, and is wholly distinct from what we now propose to put in 
 action. 
 
 It is also proper to btnte, that our Societies are altogether different 
 from what, of hite years, have been forming in the West of Scotland. 
 These are communities consisting of families intending themselves to 
 emigrate, and who thus associate, the better to economise for common 
 interests. Having informed themselves as to their destined asylum, 
 clubbed their monied means, chartered vessels, and laid in stores for 
 the voyage, they chaunt their note of departure, and <ire off, like swal- 
 lows in autumn, never again perhaps to be identified in union. Theirs 
 is a prudent, but narrow and temporary project. Ours is boundless, 
 contemplates the good of the public at large, "looks forward to centuries, 
 and over the whole earth for objects and enterprise. We behold, on 
 the mr^p of the world, British America, still more extensive than the 
 United States, New Hol'.and twenty times larger than Britain, the 
 
Capo. New Zeulaud, und coMntlc.8,s JHlands ^''''^'-^R'';'"; *^ f..f 'I'^l^f, J 
 niu Pacific. i„l,"Nti..l but }.y boasts a.ul saviKOH : Wo ^ ' J' " 'J 
 the first great la^. « f God t. nnu. :-" Ue fnuttul ""'I """^^^ '^ ,'^'^'^ 
 replenisirtbe ea.tb, -i.ul subdue it ;" we consider how th.s -'^^^^ ^^^^ 
 ncconiplis'.ied. and feel assured that, v th concert and good arrun„- 
 mcnt, the h;.])piest consequences may ensue. 
 
 Our first ob ect is to establish a correspondence w.th P^rts abroad . 
 by which emigrants, their friends and connexions, may have tht earnest 
 und best intellig' nee of all that concerns theni. 
 
 It is but t.)o well known, that multitudes h^vc been, and are buu, 
 seduced by selfish speculators to remove into regions of misery ; ana 
 that even where government lent its aid, with liberal views, disappoini- 
 ment, waste, and wretchedness have followed, solely from ignorance 
 
 and mismanageuMMit. , . c ^^ i,:.wl Wa 
 
 Our correspondence will guard against every thing of the ki.a. >^e 
 shall ascertain where the labourer can earn the highest wage with most 
 comfort ; and disclaiming all concern with governments, either in 
 church or state, shall pronounce that the best country for «»»8'"^""; , 
 We know that in the Hourishii j^ settlements abroad, an agricultural 
 labourer can earn treble pay to n it he can do here : wo know tnai 
 even in the worst times, a young man can, at home, by saving, m 
 three, two, or even one year, have sufficient means to carry him am mJ. 
 we know that were a million of peoj.le to proceed to the colonies an- 
 nually for hundreds of years, there m'ght still be employment and un- 
 diminished remuneration : we know that every comfort can now do 
 obtained there as well as here: we know that persons and prfPer^. 
 are secure there ; and we say confidently that it is the labourer s oA^n 
 fault if he remains at home ; either to want himself, or bring want on 
 the community at large :— we know, in short, that God is just, anu 
 will surely help him who is willing to help himself, while time ana 
 opportunity are afforded. . , 
 
 With a society in every parish, a .inion of every five parisnes, a 
 county and national union, we shall be a ble to concentrate informa- 
 tion, and deal it out on the cheapest terms. Whoever intends to 
 emi-rate shall have from us the best advice as to every foreign country,— 
 times and terms of sailing.-land to be sold and let,— places of em- 
 plovment, employers, &c. &c. &c. ^ „,.^^^A 
 
 Whoever desires to know how and where any emigrant has settled, 
 may also be ■^i-tisfied. We shall have weekly despatcnes from all 
 quarters, and discover the minutest particular as to the circumstances 
 of all, even in the remotest corner of the . arth,— if alive or dead,— 
 in want or prosperity,-married or single. Property to the amount ot 
 millions has undoubtedly been lost to this country, from ignorance ot 
 facts and circumstances. We shall hold up a light for recovery of 
 such property ; and the poorest man may, by inspection of our books, 
 
 be able to claim and recover what belongs to him. 
 
 ROBEUT GouniiAY. 
 
 N B— The origin, transactions, and extended purposes of this In-^_ 
 stitu'tion will be detailed at length, in the " Unitkd Labourku, 
 Number after Number; wherein, too, every question cor cerning emi- 
 gration and bettering the condition of the labouring classes will be 
 discussed. — R. G. 
 
 iWli 
 
 «P 
 
8 
 
 
 No. XI. 
 ADDITIONAL SOCIETIES. 
 
 One formed at Kettle, JMay 5, 1828, and adjourned till 19^:,. 
 William Watson in the Chair ; John M'Gregor chosen Secretary : 
 and Ileriot Kinnimont, Treasurer. ^ 
 
 One formed at Falkland, May'67T828, and adjourned till the 20th. 
 Wilham W 1 son called to the Chair ; Alexander Jackson appointed 
 Secretary ; and John Allan, I'reasurer. ^ 
 
 One formed at Strothmiglo, M^, 1828, and adjourned till 21st. 
 Henry Laingca led to the Chair , George Johnson appointed Secre- 
 tary ; and John Ritchie, Treasurer. 
 
 One formed at CoUessie, May 7, i828, and adjourned till 21st. 
 FranciG Miller called to the Chair ; Craigie Puller elected Secre- 
 tary j and David Higgle, Treasurer. 
 
 One formed at Auchtermuchty, May 5, hut did not meet regularly 
 till June 7, lf;?3, when it adjourned till July 5. ^ 
 
 Duncan Forbes in the Chair; John Marshall chosen Secretary: 
 John Hoy, Treasurer. ^*ci,aijr , 
 
 These five Societies to form a Uniofi at Dunshelt. 
 joutnedtm-^27iir''^ ''^ Ferry-port^^-Craig, May 13, 1828, and ad- 
 George Walker called to the Chair; George Adamson elected Se- 
 cretary ; and James Higgie, Treasurer, 
 
 •ou?neVtm 28 h ^^^^P'^''* ^'''' ^'''■^^'' P^"'^''' ^^^^ ^-^^ ^^^8, and ad- 
 
 William Renwick called to the Chair ; John Kid chosen Secretary ; 
 and John Bailey, Treasurer. ^ 
 
 This day the Emigration 
 there were present, — 
 
 1 John Tynewell, 
 
 2 Andrew Turpie, 
 
 3 Robert Blythe, 
 
 4 Thomas Lawson, 
 
 5 Smart Brand, 
 
 William Wilson, 
 
 7 Ebenezer Turpie, 
 
 8 James Black, 
 
 9 John M'Kenzie, 
 
 10 Thomas Wilkie, 
 
 11 William Brown, 
 
 12 James Bell, 
 
 13 David Smith, 
 H John Lawson, 
 
 No. XII. 
 
 Ceres, May 19, 1828. 
 Society being convened by public notice, 
 
 1.5 Robert Wallace, 
 IQ John Russel, 
 
 17 William M'Kenzie, 
 
 18 James Scott, 
 
 19 John IM'Farlane, 
 
 20 Archibald IMitchell, 
 
 21 John Thomson, 
 
 22 John Gourlay, 
 
 23 Robert Duff, 
 
 24 Andrew Pride, 
 
 25 David Howie, 
 
 20 James Donaldson, 
 27 David Thou. 
 
*etary ; 
 
 3 20th. 
 )ointed 
 
 21st. 
 Secre- 
 
 it. 
 Secre- 
 
 ;ularly 
 stary ; 
 
 d ad- 
 i Se- 
 
 dad- 
 tary; 
 
 28. 
 
 otice, 
 
 9 
 
 James Donaldson was called to the Chair ; William Brown was 
 elected Secretary ; and David Martin continued Treasurer. 
 
 It having heen for sometime in contemplation to fix upon a regular 
 payment to the funds of the Society by members, it was now put and 
 carried, that they shall contribute at the rate of one penny per week, 
 to be paid per advance, monthly, into the hands of the Treasurer ; 
 and that there shall be a meeting of the Society on the first IMonday 
 of every month by half-past seven of the evening, at the School-house, 
 for this and other purposes. It was also proposed and agreed tc. that 
 no member shall speak or vote at meetings who has not paid up his 
 qnoia ; and that whoever fails paying throughout the year, shall cease 
 to be a member of the Society. 
 
 It was further put and carried, that the names of members who have 
 paid up to this day be entered in the sederunt-book, and that from 
 henceforth a regular account be kept of their payments, as well as of 
 the disbursements ordered by the Society. 
 
 .€0 6 
 2 2 
 9 
 
 There was now received as a donation. 
 Cash collected since last committee meeting. 
 Do. paid this day by eighteen members^ 
 
 £0 11 8 
 
 It was then ordered that eleven shillings be put into the hands of the 
 ao'ent, to be accounted for, and the Society adjourned till Monday 2d 
 
 June. 
 
 James Donaldson, Chairman, 
 
 Note Resolutions to the same eflTect were adopted by Cults So- 
 ciety on the 3d June, Kennoway on the 4th, Scoonie on the r)th, and 
 Largo on the 6th. At this last place James Forrester was called to 
 the Chair ; Thomas Stuart was elected Secretary ; and James White, 
 
 The societies of Kettle, Falkland, Strathmiglo, Collessie, Auchter- 
 muchty, Ferry-port-on-Craig, and Forgan, adopted similar resolutions 
 at their meetings respectively, and .uplicates of their attested minutes 
 are still in my hands. 
 
 No. XIII. 
 PURPOSES OF Ex^IIGRATION SOCIETIES 
 
 Being now understood, while mean, meddling, and malignant opposi- 
 tion is silenced, the inhabitants of Auchtermuchty .ire hereby invited 
 to meet in the Subscription School-house, by seven of the evening, 
 IMonday 2Gth IMay, to follow up their first cheerful resolutions, in es- 
 tablisliing this most effective institution for bettering the condition of 
 the labouring classes. 
 
 No. XIV. 
 EMIGRATION UNION. 
 
 Ceres Emigration Society will meet in the School-house, Monday 
 evening, June 2d, by seven o'clock, when a letter will be read from a 
 broken British fiirnier lately gone to America ; by \vhich it appears 
 that even he can make three times more there, as an agricultural la- 
 bourer, than the atoutest hnnd can do here. 
 
 IIMWWWIi 
 
 rnrnr. 
 
It) 
 
 There the women have but to mind househohl business and adorn 
 their persons, which is as it should be, and would bo here „eedilv 
 were the men to bestir themselves in forming Emi^raS SocieS- 
 th^ynly lawful, safe, and certain means of "raising tj ^laS^ 
 
 No. XV. 
 EMIGRATION UNION. 
 
 rru- J 1 Ceres, Julu 7, J 828. 
 
 This day the monthly meeting being held, it was reported th^t 
 James Kirk, a member of the Society who sdled for imer ca £ 
 Apnl, had arrived safe,. found employment as a flaxdretser and was 
 earning three times more than his father ever did in theTe 't t' me 
 
 It was proposed to establish a Reading-Room in eLh mrish for 
 che.p speedy, and certain information as to wages and work abroad 
 and It was resoWed to commence the operations ff a Savings Banl not 
 Sg wl;f """'^""^^^ '"^ '^ "^'^'' ^^^-^ ^-*-ss du^ring tt en- 
 
 No. XVI. 
 
 OPERATIVES 
 
 f f 
 
 Our meeting on the IMoat-hill was but to maintain right enliven frPP 
 dom, countenance a good cause, rouse attention, and genera ediscfir 
 sion. It Avas to initiate, not to proceed with businP,« ?TwVf " 
 was short, to avoid mobbish appearances ' ""'''" 
 
 You have had time to reflect, and may now act deliberatelv R. 
 well conducted Emigration only can wages be raised andSS' V^ 
 this, societies must be formed and united SI,nnl.l • "V'^^^' -^or 
 one, any dozen of you may corr^sp n"f4h me 1^^^^^^^ 
 are agreed, a regular meeting shall be called ' ""'^'"'^ 
 
 Robert Gourlay, 
 for the Emigration Union. 
 No. XVII. 
 Mr. Gourlay invites tho people to meet in the Rnw l.„*f *^• j 
 immediately after church service to discouLnn .?;•"•' *^'' ^^^ 
 
 No. XVIII. 
 EMIGRATION UNION 
 
 n «peck.s of intercourse with Ameriea ,vhiFr.J i, ^T ''°°™'™' '" 
 
 a, H.C .a peaeeaOIe as ^'^S.^^ltZ:^^ ^1^^ 
 In the Bow-butts, by five o'clock, next Mor.day afternoon. 
 October b, 1828. Robkrt Gourj.av. 
 
I 
 
 11 
 
 CERES LIBRARY. 
 
 No. I. 
 
 Craigrolhie, 4th September 1828. 
 Mr. Gourlay offers his best wishes to the Ceres Subscription Library, 
 with seventy-two volumes, as per subjoined list. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Ceres, ^Ik September 1828. 
 Sir, — I am directed by the Committee of Management of the Ceres 
 Subscription Library to return you their most sincere thanks for the 
 extraordinary donation of books you have been pleased to forward to 
 them ; and I am at a loss to find sufficient terms for their feelings of 
 gratitude to you. However, they trust that this gift of yours will be 
 a lasting monument to your memory while this Institution shall stand. 
 The books all came safe to hand, according to the catalogue, with 
 the exception of the 4tli volume of Shakespeare, which may have been 
 mislaid. I am sorry to trouble you, but the possession of it would 
 greatly oblige us, as it will be a difficult thing to get that volume of 
 the same copy from a bookseller. 
 
 With respect, I am. Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient Servant, 
 
 ArchibAi.i> Mitchell, Secretary. 
 Mr. Robert Gourlay. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Mr. Gourlay is glad that his books were acceptable, and along with 
 this sends other two boxes full for the Ceres Library, — the one bound, 
 the other unbound books, as per subjoined list. Is sorry that a volume 
 of Shakespeare Avas missing, as he cannot find it. 
 
 I\Ir. Gourlay does not wish the Ceres Committee to think that he 
 makes any sacrifice by parting with books, which, once read, are little 
 better than lumber in a private house ; and will be happy to find that 
 this notion spread abroad shall lead others of the parish to throw their 
 books into a store for common good. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Ceres, 10th September 1828. 
 Sir, — The Committee has again directed me to return you their 
 sincere thanks for the very liberal donation of books you have sent 
 them. By your benevolence, you have at once y* 'oed this Institution 
 in a situation which would have been beyond the power of the subscri- 
 bers to have done for a number of years, and must ensure its success ; 
 and they hesitate not to say, that the name of Robert Gourlay will be 
 dear to the intelligent people of this Institution when the giver and 
 the present receivers shall cease to exist. 
 With respect, I am, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient Servant, 
 
 Archibald Mitchell. 
 
 Mr, Ruhcri Guurhty. 
 
12 
 
 No. ,'). 
 
 Cvaigrolhie, 13/A Septnmher 1828. 
 
 Mr. Gourlay herewith sends to Ceres Library anotlier box full of 
 books, as per list below. On this occasion he has but one desire to 
 lieighten the relish of Operatives for intellectual improvement. ' At 
 once to moderate compliment in return, and make excuse for himself 
 It must be considered that he gives only what he has no house-rooni 
 tor ; and cannot so creditably dispose of otherwise. 
 
 Carlile's Republican and 'the Newgate iMagazine were procured as 
 curiosities, and are now bestowed en condition that they shall not go 
 out pf the Library, nor be read by any but managers, or with their 
 special leave ; and tfie same rule must be observed with some pam- 
 phlets of which they can judge. By turning to page 670 of the twelfth 
 volume of the Republican, it will be seen how far IMr. G. differs from 
 the editor. In conclusion, IMr. G. wishes no return for his books, but 
 that lie may be allowed again to peruse them under liberal rules should 
 he be disposed. 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 Ceres, \6lh September 1828. 
 Sib,— With gratitude does the Committee acknowledge the receipt 
 of the fourth box full of books ; and they agree with you regarding L 
 strictions on the books alluded to in your letter, which shall be attended 
 to. farther, they have directed to record in the minute-book, that 
 Mr. Gourlay shall have access to the Ceres Subscription Librarv, the 
 same as any other ..ubscriber, free of expense, during life. 
 With respect, I am. Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient Servant, 
 
 Mr. Robert Gourlay. Archibald Mitchell. 
 
 CANADA NEWSPAPERS. 
 No. I. 
 To ihe Editor of the Colonial Advocate, York, Upper Canada. 
 Sea field, near Kinghorn, Fife, Sept. 20th 1828. 
 Dear Sir,— Accept thanks for continued attention in sending your 
 Newspaper, which up to .;une 12th, Las reached me, and is now put 
 to he best use. _ I" pursuance of my design to form Emigration So- 
 c.e les, I began in Fife, 24th March, and within a couple of months 
 instituted seventeen; but finding it impossible to hold ihese together, 
 without repeated explanation and much personal attendance, my in- 
 tention of proceeding further was suspended, till the system could 
 be clearly unfolded in practice, and I am daily employed in ac- 
 complishii^g this. Your paper and the Kingston Herald (which 
 till 10th June is received) have been circulated regularly throu-h 
 seven parishes during the last two months, and the people have be- 
 come so much interested in perusal, that they have agreed to nay for 
 a regular supply, hopmg that you will insert" mr//y, as I have said 
 you ^^■lll do after receiving this letter, Xh^ price of provisions, say bread. 
 
13 
 
 bec-f, cheese, butter, sugar, tea, and coffee. The price of labour, «ay 
 wa^es of ;i mason, Wright, smith, weaver, taik)r, shoemaker, and agri- 
 culturist ; together with advertisements for labourers of every^ de- 
 scription, with terms of employment,— when, where, and hew long'they 
 will be wanted, &c. If you do this clearly, faithfully, and regularly. 
 Colonial Newspapers will be of vast importance— come into great re- 
 quest, and ere long I could dispose of hundreds of them. To begin, give 
 credit for three directed to me as above, " for the Emigration Society, 
 Ceres, Fife." for the Emigration Society, Kennoway, Fife," for the 
 Emigration Society, Forgan, Fife ;" with as many n.ore as you choose, 
 directed to me in Edinburgh, to be disposed of as occasion requires. 
 
 I despatched for Canada, three months ago, two copies of " Pur- 
 poses of Emigration Societies, Union and Agency," which I hope you 
 have reprinted. Insert this letter in the Advocate ; and liberally let 
 me invite other Editors to send Newspapers to me, as a general agent 
 for emigrants, and for promoting that glorious intercourse which may 
 speedily unite all mankind. — Yours and theirs faithfully, 
 
 ROBT. GOURLAY. 
 
 2V. B. — This letter was printed in the Colonial Advocate. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 2, Bridge Street, Leith, April 3d, 1829. 
 
 Mr. Gourlay has received the Upper Canada Herald and Colonial 
 Advocate for December and January last ; but the editors have mis- 
 taken his directions, disappointed his hopes, and rendered his plans 
 abortive. He desired that the papers should be directed to him " as 
 above," that was to Robert Gourlay, Colonial Land Agent, "for the 
 Emigration Society" of such and such a place. The Postmasters of 
 these places were to deliver the papers forthwith, on Mr. G.'s order, 
 to otfice-bearers for the time being ; but 50 papers have come to Edin- 
 burgh, and 42 to Seafield, by which Mr. G. has to pay the postages, 
 and then forward the papers to the societies ; which he cannot always 
 do, and never without delay. But worse than this, is the non-insertion 
 of prices of provision and labour, as requested, which Mr G. had 
 pledged himself for to the Societies, and without which, the papers are 
 comparatively worthless. All this must go towards experience for 
 better arrangements and understanding in future, which Mr. G. des- 
 pairs of, without crossing the Atlantic, and this he would speedily do 
 if in his power. The Editors will accept his thanks for good inten- 
 tions — cease to send Newspapers to Societies ; but one to him as 
 formerly will still be acceptable. The Editor of the Herald will be 
 f5o good as forward this to the Editor of the Advocate, or publish it- 
 He will also oblige by handing the annexed half sheet to Mr. Bidwell- 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Newport, \st Ai.-gust 1829. 
 Sir, — I request of you that you will discontinue the Canadian 
 Newspapers destined for us, as we see nothing in them either interest- 
 ing or edifying to us of Scotland, They are not to the plan you laid 
 down at all. There is nothing said about the price of labour nor pro- 
 visions, &c. &c. Likewise, we get them very irregular. The last 
 
 \m 
 
14 
 
 since you were here. So consi.irln., ^! ^A- ^ ^"^^^ "^^^r met 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 0fficraTd^'<are7rL" *i,;;-,^-«'J\^-vspapers lying at your 
 and for which vol said 2rwo«"t i''° P^'^'^^g^s which arrived last, 
 H'here they wilHe iLn and mid f'""^ V«J^ ^^ ^-^'^rded to Leven 
 thus: the^vere ordered trbes^enfK /V"/i" «*^^'-«' ^"^ ^t^^^s 
 provided they contah/ed certir^^ Emigration Societies, 
 
 of wages and prov sons The cd^^lT. P^f^^^ f *« *^« P"«e 
 tion,and,nenbersofsocietishavrrnf^^^^^ *"/"^^^ *^'''' ««"di. 
 
 have refused to take the^ To Te ?lt^^^^^^ oTno ''' ''"^^"•'' ^^'^^ 
 now dispose of the. as . c..^^ Z^^Z::^,^'!^ 
 The Master of the Vost-Office, Cupar-Fife. ^''^' ^''''''^'^''^ 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 "^0. J. 
 
 Tn ^Av. J3 , , Union, October 7, 1828. 
 
 Vo (JJice-Bcarers and oOier Mcmberv nf C^r-a. v ■ . of 
 As you have now given assurnrrV^ in- ^'"'^^^^^ 
 depositing weekly mvmlntsand'nh!: ^^ ""^^^ ^^^ether six months, 
 
 est^blish^other So^rthat yol 'wSl ^^^ Tr^^^ "^'^ "'^^"^ '^ 
 I have dispatched a letter as annexTd Tr^ • ^ ^"^ engagement. 
 
 Society, ^hich you ^iLz:^:%r!zii''v:'^rK'y^^-^ 
 
 Herald ordered for Cults Emigration Sodetv Frl til- ?'"^'*?,1 
 the arrival of these Newspapers savfm.rnrfi^' T ^^'' ^''"^ *'^1 
 not be necessary for me to S Z Vl f ^7,l"«"t^« ^^"^^6, it will 
 further payment The cost of fL^ ^'''' *^'' P"'P"«« *« receive 
 
 2()s., and larfor posta/e aU whtlf '^''■^""^/"y' ^"^ »«* ^^«eed 
 deposit of eight mSefs,\nd To'r spTe cLh^' '/ '''' ?^"^^^ 
 the majority1.nd Union DelegatrmaTThink proper T^ '^ ""' '' 
 newspaper arrives, you will be more exned^irm^fn a- ^'*"'' *''^" 
 let others have benefit as soor.s poSe Th/'^ ^"^' '^ "^ ^'^ 
 this period, must be forwarded, i„ the fi^st place t SrTr R^"V"« 
 KX^'as^ 5S:;r ''-^ ^^- -- f^om^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 den?;:^rrrara"nV;^iT^^^^^^^^ ^r/ ^«^^^^p- 
 
 plans, which shall be'fully dislsed f ;oo^^^ ^^ -7 
 
 are put into my hands, it all times you may Te assured thJfTn 
 do my utmost to promote your welfareLvoui^ obeSt trv^n^^ '''" 
 
 i\. u._« ,.y/^ j^„„/^,, f^,if^^.^ ^^ ^ij^^^_ Societies. 
 
 I 
 
 .■-X 
 
15 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Ceres, 13/A Fcbruarij, 1829. 
 Sib,— David Kirk having shewn me your letter of the 11th Febru- 
 ary wishing me to give you all the information you require, 
 
 "Up to this (late, none of M'Kenzie's papers, with the additions you 
 speak of, have come to hand. None of any kind have come since De- 
 
 CPITlt)Gr« 
 
 With regard to our Society, the two last meetings were attended by 
 few, but some individuals who were not present sent their subscrip- 
 tions. The sum in the hand of the Treasurer is 7s. tid. this date. 
 
 The Book Society is doing well, as you will perceive by the cata- 
 logue I have sent you ; and it is to your liberality that we attribute its 
 success. The Republican and Newgate IMagazine having made much 
 speculation through the parish, and likely to create great divisions in 
 the Society, the Committee agreed to put them out of the way. 
 
 Yours with respect, 
 
 Mr. Robert Gourlay. Archd. BIitchell. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Mr. Gourlay particularly requests that all who adhere to the Ceres 
 Society will meet at the School-house, by half-past seven o'clock, 
 IMonday Evening, 4th ]May, to consider of a note from him to be laid 
 before them. 
 
 Note above referred to. 
 
 2, Bridge Street, Leith, 1st May 1829. 
 
 ]\Ir. Gourlay will be happy to hear that members of the Emigration 
 Society have held together, owever few. He begs that they will 
 send to Cults, Kennoway, Leven, and Largo, to ascertain how it is at 
 these places ; and what amount is the whole fund of the Union. 
 
 Mr. Gourlay has kept till this time a box of books which were sent 
 from London for the Union, and which he will make over to it if his 
 expenses are defrayed. If the Union is dissolved, he will make the 
 Ceres Subscription Library welcome to the books on making good to 
 him that sum, not half their value ; and, at p future period, God will- 
 ing, he will re-establish the Union, as the grand and simple means of 
 emancipating the Poor from the Rich. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Ceres, 13th May 1829. 
 Sin,— I received yours of the 1st May, and have acted up to the 
 spirit of it as far as possible- The Emigration Society of Ceres 
 met- There were in all, D. Kirk, Archibald Mitchell, John Gourlay, 
 Alexander Louden, Alexander Davison- No more can be reckoned 
 upon. We agreed that letters should be wrote to the united parishes, 
 demanding their share of the £6, as expense of your generous offer of 
 books. 1 wrote to these parishes requesting an answer by Saturday, 
 and received none but one from Cults, saying that they did not wish 
 to have any of the books We therefore consider the Union dissolved 
 
 'm 
 
16 
 
 'ip ours. TInVs failW vouJ Ll T7^' T "'""^'^ ''V ""^ "'"^e 
 Ceres Subscript on L?b/arv 1. n U f ^'-^ " *^«'"'"ittee of the 
 box of books. ^Unfmun^j'^tl"?' ''^'" ''^'" ^'''^'"^""y '"'''^^'^^ the 
 general meeting ssirnom^l nn ^a"'? "'^ """""^ '" ^'""''' l^»t a 
 I would be ve"f aL u Z Lh i tl ^u'\ *? '"'^^ *''« ™«»«y- 
 as they vvould L ^K e" tSnuI " 1 «^"!^ .*''^books before our meeting, 
 done ly subscriptior\rwZ3 2 N^r- asitisto/e 
 what you sent. The former nrZlJ V \ J Newspapers, besides 
 also tlLnk you for yourlxccrn? , T' ^'' ''''^' "««• ^ "^"«t 
 write you iLediateTon r'c vL tSo , T T' "^\^'^^J^• ^ ^^'" 
 -Yours, vvith respect^, "^ "'" ^""^'' f ""« ^^'?i ^^^ money. 
 
 Ro6er/ GoKr%, i-^/. Archd. Mitchkll. 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 Sin -We received the trunk on Monday the 18tf ''tH^^T-P' 
 accepted your offer, and tho n,n„^„ ; ^-^-''uay me iHtJi. Ihe Library 
 me know if I mus send it T 7 '"Jt"'^ Possession : You can let 
 Yours truly, * ' **' '^ ^^^^ *^""^ y^" ^"1 be over soon,-. 
 
 Mr. iio6. Gourlai/ "^^"^ Lawson. 
 
 No. 6. 
 TV'r rt^,. 7 1 . , . -^'^**^''' 27//< iV/^/7/, 1 029, 
 
 anJ;n:;E!:j^S nCsJl;: ^^[^: ^i^^?.^t^ ^r- 
 
 son n. return for £6 out of pocket by the Emig io„ Union ^^ ^'^" 
 
 Loot Zy b Si ?.Z nre ff f '^^VT.^' ^'/- ^ ^^"^"'^ these 
 him, some bein^ out of Drint ?„,^^^^ "^ ^^T ^'"^"^^ ^^^" g^^^n to 
 
 side of the Atla'ntic ^ ^ '"'"' '^"^ ^'^ ^" ^ot for money on this 
 
 Plad the Emigration Union held together Mr r^,, i ij , 
 
 employed Catharine WalJacP of 1.'.! • ^^^^^^Y ^vould have 
 
 ferent parishes of Ceres Cults Ke 2 ^V^'^'^' '-'"''^ *« ^^'« ^if- 
 newspaWs and books,";h£'sh; stT&tln'at^' "^"^"^^ "^^^ 
 senger. He would be glad if Directors nfr!r%^f ^'^^ **' ^' ^^^- 
 set such a person agoiilg, as, no'^S^ :5.?^Se"S[r-^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 w 
 
17 
 
 •erved, the individual employed would earn a livelihood. It would 
 besides gain subscribers to the Library. 
 
 1'iie pamphlets should be properly classed and bound in volumes ; 
 about (Jd. a volume will be the cost. Lastly, IMr. G. requests that 
 this paper may be preserved in the Library, to certify that lie does not 
 shrink from what is engraved upon it. Either with the aid of Go- 
 vernment or the people, Mr. G. could make this good; but alone ho 
 can do nothing. 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 Mr. Gourlay herewith sends to the Ceres Subscription Library, two 
 copies of Plans for the Improvement of Edinburgh, about to be pub- 
 lished. They are for preservation, not circulation. Mr. Gourlay would 
 be glad if the Managers of the Library would procure a copy of his 
 book, written '20 years ago, entitled, " The Organization of the Peo- 
 ple," — not for circulation but preservation, and as part of history. 
 Mr. G. doubts not but a copy may yet be had. 
 
 Mr. G. will be glad of a few lines per post, saying if the Plans are 
 received ; also, if the books in the trunk are received, and all right. 
 
 IQlh June, 1829. 
 
 The above is copy of a note sent along with a parcel per the Car- 
 rier, which, no doubt, will reach the Secretary of the Ceres Library. 
 
 Mr. Gourlay now asks if the rules of the Library admit of sending 
 books to Leith ; and if they do, he will be glad to have as many vo- 
 lumes of Rollin's Ancient History sent to him by first carrier as 
 rules admit of; it being understood thnt Mr. Gourlay will pay the 
 carriage to and from Leith. 
 
 To the Secretary of Ceres Siibscriplton lAhrary, 
 
 No. 8. 
 
 The Managers of Ceres Subscription Library will receive books 
 and pamphlets, a list of Avhich is subjoined ; and pay to John Law- 
 son, for me, whatever they may be considered worth to the Library. 
 
 ROBT. G0URL;»V. 
 
 2, Bridge Street, Leith, 26tk Scptemher 1829. 
 
 No. 9. 
 2, Bridge Street, Leith, 'Jth November 1829. 
 Sir, — It surprised me to be informed, passing through Ceres lately, 
 that Managers of the Library would not receive the box of books sent to 
 the care of John Lawson,they paying for them whatever they chose ; and 
 the third part of that to be given to some poor women. It was per- 
 haps not considered that I was a proprietor of the Library, and that 
 I Avas thus securing to myself the use of these books for life, — many, 
 of which, though tattered, and such as would bring nothing in the 
 market, are valuable to me beyond price. Since sending them to 
 Ceres, a brother of Dr. Chalmers told me that he had been offered 
 20s. for the Resources of the British Empire, which is among them, 
 and which you perhaps would not think worth 6d. Others are to me 
 
 B 
 
 ^MiiiMA^iiii*3'i«iiiTJli^iji 
 
 ■ r i i ii iMB M M 
 
18 
 
 f 
 
 far more valuable than this, though even more mean in appearance 
 
 May I beg, therefore, that the whole be taken good care of,— the 
 pamphlets arranged and bound in volumes ; and that you will, on re- 
 ceipt of this, drop me a few lines, giving assurance that it will be ao. 
 
 I am yours, &c. 
 
 ROBT. GOURLAY. 
 
 To l/ie Secretary of Ceres Library. 
 
 No. 10. 
 
 Prefixed is copy of a letter to the Secretary of Cores Library, which 
 was directed to John Lawson, because of tne books being in his pos- 
 session ; but IMr. Gourlay having no reply as requested, suspects that 
 some accident has happened ; and now begs to hear from the secretary 
 by return of post. 
 
 2, Bridge Street, Leith, 2\st Nov. J829. 
 
 No. II. 
 
 Ceres, 21 Nov. 1029. 
 Sir— Your letter of 7th was presented to the managers of the Ceres 
 Library, but in consequence of their want of power, and the society 
 being in debt, they decline making a purchase. However, some of 
 our members have entered into a subscription for the books, to ])lace 
 them in the library, and bind up the pamphlets according to your re- 
 quest. The subscription amounts only to lis. (id. I believe there 
 will be a little more collected. Have the goodness to write us as soon 
 as convenient, whether we are to have the books or not. — Yours, with 
 respect. Archd. JMitchell. 
 
 To Robert Gourlay, Esq. 
 
 No. 12. 
 
 2, Bridge Street, Lcilh, 25th Nov. 1829. 
 
 Sir — Your letter of 21st instant, dispatched from Cupar yesterday, 
 is now before me. Keep the books at any price : only let them be 
 well cared for. Whatever the subscription is, give it to John Law- 
 son, who will pay away two-sixths as I directed him, and retain the 
 balance for me. 
 
 Ceres Library is now established, and undoubtedly will prosper. 
 Every ac'ult in the parish can read, and the time is approaching %vhen 
 all will (je fond of reading, get knowledge, and with that better 
 their circumstances. 
 
 Parish schools were established in Scotland two hundred years ago, 
 find thence the Scotch are superior to the English, who "for want 
 of education, became dependant on poor-laws. The English had 
 some schools, and, however degraded, are, in consequence, greatlv su- 
 perior to the Irish, who had none till lately. By and bye all will be 
 educated, and all will improve. 
 
 It was gratifying to know that the feeling of the parish v/as against 
 Carlile's writings. It manifests refined taste ; but such writings are 
 useful to shew how beastly men become who cast away religion, the 
 noblest study of man, and the only purifier of the heart. 
 
 There is a library in Largo; another in Leven ; I advised the people 
 
19 
 
 ppearance • 
 
 care of, — the 
 I will, on re- 
 it will be so. 
 
 GOURLAY. 
 
 ihrury, which 
 ig in his pos- 
 suspects that 
 the secretary 
 
 Vov. 1«29. 
 i of the Ceres 
 d the society 
 ver, some of 
 aks, to j)lace 
 5 to your re- 
 )elieve there 
 te us as soon 
 -Yours, with 
 
 ITCHELL. 
 
 ^ov. 18i?9. 
 ir yesteri'.ay, 
 et them be 
 John Law- 
 d retain the 
 
 rill prosper. 
 
 iching when 
 
 that better 
 
 d years ago, 
 10 for want 
 English had 
 greatly su- 
 i all will be 
 
 v/as against 
 ivritings are 
 eligiouj the 
 
 1 the people 
 
 ©f Kennoway to have one ; and one which was neglected in Cult* 
 parish might soon 'j,i re-estoblished. When all are in operation, it will 
 be for the common good to unite and employ a carrier to go regularly 
 twice a-week round the five parishes, circulating books, jiapers, &c. 
 Arrangements could then be formed, so that each j)arish might pur- 
 chase new books in succession, and all have the benefit, thus increuned 
 fivefold. 
 
 Last year I went to East Lothian, and made inquiry as to the 
 Itinerant Libraries set on foot there ; but this would be a great im- 
 provement on that system. 
 
 When means increase, each parish should have a house with apart- 
 ments for a reading-room and library. The other part of the house to 
 be occupied by a person who should take charge of the establishment, 
 and ^\ho might furnish coffee and tea for refreshment at fixed and mo- 
 derate charges. This person, too, receiving newspapers and other 
 periodical publications, could accommodate the public at large with 
 the reading of these at all hours. A farthing a-piece from every adult 
 in a parish weekly, would be sufficient to maintain such an establish- 
 ment. It cannot be got up all at once, but should be kept in view, 
 and need not be despaired of. 
 
 The difficulty of setting agoing such things has been well exempli- 
 fied by my attempt to establish the Kmigration Union, which I by no 
 means yet despair of. Even the simple arrangement for getting in- 
 formation from America as to tlie price of labour and provisions has 
 failed for the time. The Editor of the Colonial Advocate published, 
 as you saw, my letter to him of September 20, 1828. His papers and 
 the Kingston Heralds were despatched to me weekly ; yet, strange to 
 say, neither the one Editor nor the other paid attention to my instruc- 
 tions. It could not be from want of good will, for they had an interest 
 in making their papers useful here : it could not be from any diffi- 
 culty in procuring information, for in ten minutes, any day, tliey could 
 learn what was the price of labour and provisions : it could not be 
 from want of room, for every week their columns were filled with 
 matter not half so important ; it could not be from want of regard to 
 me, for during many years they have been kind and obliging in the 
 extreme ; but it arose from that want of thought which prevails as to 
 what is new, to which wo are not habituated, and in which we have 
 no immediate gratification. 
 
 I sent to Ceres last week two packets of the Colonial Advocate. 
 This day I shall send another, and order the master of Edinburgh 
 post-oflice to forward that paper regularly to Cupar in future, for the 
 Ceres Emigration Society, as I may not be long here. — Yours, &c. 
 
 ROBT. GOUBLAY. 
 
 To the Secretary of Ceres Library. 
 
't 
 
 20 
 
 CONCLUDING ADDRESS TO LADOUUEHS. 
 
 2, Bridge Sired, Leith, November 20, 10129. 
 Operatives, 
 Having announced in my business cnrd tlint I would advise In- 
 bourers to form Emigration Societies, I began in my native parish, 
 March 24, 1H2H ; and now that the record of proceedings is before 
 you, I ask if any one could have done moi'u in the same time, or ad- 
 vised you better under all circumstances ? 
 Here are my accounts : and 
 
 1*/ :— RECEIPTS. 
 
 By day's pay attending the first Union Meeting 2s. 6d., which was 
 given to the women who cooked the dinner, while that was provided 
 gratuitously by me. 
 
 By cash to be accounted for, - 
 
 Do. from Lesl'e Society, 
 
 Do. from Dysart Society, 
 
 Do. from Union second meeting. 
 
 Do. from Collessie Society, 
 
 Do. from Falkland Society, 
 
 Do. from Forgan Society, 
 
 Do. from Ferry-Port-on-Craig Society, 
 
 Do. from Cults Society, 
 
 Do. from Kennoway Society, 
 
 Do. from Scoonie Society, 
 
 "Dm. from Ceres Society, 
 
 Total received, 
 2(/:— CHARGE. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 19 
 11 
 3 
 
 8 
 8 
 2 
 10 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 « 
 
 
 
 £9 18 8 
 
 To dinner and drink at Union, 28th April, - £15 
 
 Printing advertisements at Leith, - . 5 
 
 Ditto sundry articles at Dundee, - - 111 
 
 Ditto ditto at Cupar, - - - 9 
 
 To freight and carriage of books from London, intended for 
 
 the Emigration Union, - - - 12 
 
 Travelling expenses, freight, postages of Canada News- 
 papers, posting bills, S<c. &c. at the end of .sir nioiUits, 13 ? 
 
 Total outlay. 
 Deduct cash received. 
 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 £17 10 2 
 9 18 8 
 
 Balance due to me for outlay at the end of six months, £,^ 17 6 
 Due to me as wages during that period, according to the 
 
 rate agreed upon, - - - - 19100 
 
 ' Carried forward, £ 7 7 G 
 
 '^^'■^'■^■l 
 
SI 
 
 US. 
 
 2(j, 1029. 
 
 il advise 1»- 
 itive parish, 
 gs is before 
 time, or ad- 
 
 . ^ 
 
 ivhich 
 
 was 
 
 vas 
 
 prov 
 
 ided 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 5 
 
 9 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 « 
 
 6 
 
 
 2 
 
 (1 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 3 
 
 G 
 
 
 8 8 
 
 £15 
 
 5 6 
 
 1 11 6 
 9 
 
 or 
 
 s- 
 
 1 2 6 
 
 13 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 £17 10 
 
 2 
 
 9 
 
 18 
 
 8 
 
 £7 17 
 
 6 
 
 e 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 l>7 7 G 
 
 Brought forward, £27 7 6 
 
 Postage of Canada newspapers, forwarded to Societies, 
 
 since October 1828, - - - 3 10 
 
 To printing and distributing thin record, - 3 2 6 
 
 Total due to me, - £34 () 
 
 N. B — Largo Society owes me for share of newspaper 
 
 charge, - - - - - £10 
 
 Kennoway Socitt y for ditto, - - . 17 6 
 
 £1 17 6 
 
 Had the labouring people of Ceres, Scoonie, Kennoway, Cults, and 
 Largo followed my advice, and adhered to resolutions, there miglit have 
 been collected in six months, from males contributing at the rate of Id. 
 per week each, . - . . . £270 16 8 
 
 From females, id. per month, . • - 62 10 
 
 Add contributions in the other twelve parishes where 
 Societies were formed, - - - 
 
 £333 G 8 
 1113 6 8 
 
 Total in 17 parishes, £ 1440 13 4 
 
 By Christmas, the interest of these contributions, regularly deposited 
 in a savings bank, would have defrayed my charges ; and at that sea- 
 son, wlien a little saved money may save from much distress, any indi- 
 vidual might have withdrawn his or her whole contribution. Such is 
 the advantage of Economy, Union, and Agency. 
 
 Had the labouring i)eopIe of these seventeen parishes held true to 
 engagements, I should have continued forming Societies and publish- 
 ing The United Labourer, in which every question concerning 
 Emigration and bettering the condition of operatives might have, 
 by this time, been fully discussed. There might have been a society 
 formed in every parish of Fife within three months, and before now 
 one in every parish of Scotland. ' 
 
 In one year there may be contributed by the labourers of Fife, at 
 the above rates, £8,000; and by the labourers of Scotland £135,000. 
 I could not afford to do business for a few parishes ; nor can benefit 
 result to any, till many have formed societies aiid gone into union. 
 Were the GO parishes of P^'ife to have each a society, forming 12 unions, 
 and each union to pay me at the rate of 15s. per week, or £39, a year, 
 I should have, per annum, £4G8, and I could not do business for less. 
 Had every parish of Scotland a society, and the united societie:^ to pay 
 me at the same rate, I should have £7,800, and with this I could 
 completely manage the business, by paying sub-agents in each county, 
 agents, the Colonies, &c. 
 
 With such economy, union, and agency, I could in a few years raise 
 the wages ovei the whole kingdom to-three times the amount of what 
 tliey have been in times past, and that to the advantage of both rich 
 «md poor. 
 
23 
 
 It has hitherto been thought sntlicient fur a labouring man to earn 
 the price of one peck of oatmeal per day. I say he should earn the 
 price of half a bushel of wheat per dav ; and I challenged Dr. Chal- 
 mers to prove, that rents and taxes might be paid to the same amount 
 as now, thou;j;h that were the case ; offering to explain, if he gave no 
 solution by May IB27. Within the last two munths, I have offered 
 to do the same before a commission of three University Professors in 
 Edini urgh, who have known me from boyhood ; but the Duke of 
 Wellington, to whom the offer was made, does not choose to appoint 
 the commission. Ignorance is the great evil which overshadows 
 the earth ; and when people are ignorant, they are timid, suspicious, 
 and unconfiding. The Bible tells us that, " The destruction of the 
 poor is their poverty." Look to the record above, and you will see 
 how true this is ; but all may be traced to ignorance. 
 
 It will be remembered, that on the first day of my speaking to the 
 people of Ceres, I told them that Bacon called knowledge power : 
 tiiat Hobbes, another philosopher, called nionej/ power ; but that in 
 my opinion power could only be secured by the joint influence of 
 knowledge and money : — that money was wholly obtained by skill 
 and labour ; and that, if labourers had knowledge, they could retain 
 all the money in their own hands, and so have all the power. 
 
 Thirty-seven years ago, Mr. Mackintosh, now S^r James, said — 
 " Tke accuvmlatioH of that power which is confirmed by wealth in 
 " the hands of thcfew^ is the perpetual source of' oppression and ne- 
 " gleet to the mass of ma7ikind. The jmwer uf the wealthy is Jurther 
 " concentrated hy their tendency to combination, from which numbers, 
 " disj.jrsion, indigence, and ignorance, equally preclude the poor." 
 And again — " There never was or will be in civilized society but two 
 " grand interests, that of the Rich and that of the Poor." 
 
 I stated, in every parish where societies were formed, that till 
 within the last three years, the labouring poor never had opportunity, 
 lawfully and peaceably, to meet and take measures for their common 
 interest : — that now emigration laws and combination laAvs were re- 
 pealed : — that, instead of preventing people from emigrating, as for- 
 merly, Government now encouraged emigration ; and that it was now 
 not only lawful to combine for the purpose; of raising and upholding 
 Avagcs, but, that the principle, that every person had a right to make 
 the most of his labour, as well as to cany it to the bebt market, was 
 universally acknowledged. I expressed regret that the ignorance of 
 labourers should have led them to abuse their rights, so lately con- 
 ceded, and to stir up doubts as to the expediency of admitting so 
 noble a principle, by their combinations to strike. I shewed ho'." 
 very foolish that was ; and compared it to the madness of throwing 
 away arms when about to engage in battle. The consequences indeed 
 have now fully proved the futility of suf"h a measure ; though, up to 
 this very time, we hoar of the ignorant people of England still band- 
 ing together with hope of raising their wages by striking. I uni- 
 formly maintained, that the genuine and efloctual course by which the 
 labouring poor could better their condition Avas, not by relinquishing 
 employment, but being more busy and economical, till they saved 
 
i^ 
 
 23 
 
 man to earn 
 uld earn the 
 ;d Dr. Chal- 
 same amount 
 f he gave no 
 have offered 
 Professora in 
 the Duke of 
 e to appoint 
 
 overshadows 
 1, suspicious^ 
 iction of the 
 you will see 
 
 saking to the 
 edge power : 
 ; but that in 
 
 influence of 
 ined by skill 
 
 could retain 
 vet. 
 amesj said — 
 
 by wealth in 
 \sion and ne- 
 hi) is Jurther 
 lick 7iuvibers, 
 de the poor." 
 ociettj hut two 
 
 ned, that till 
 opportunity, 
 their common 
 aAvs were re- 
 ating, as for- 
 [it it was now 
 [id upholding 
 right to make 
 ; market, was 
 ! ignorance of 
 
 lately con- 
 admitting so 
 
 shewed hov 
 s of throwing 
 lencos indeed 
 ;hougli, up to 
 id still band- 
 ling. I uni- 
 by which the 
 relinqnishing 
 
 1 they saved 
 
 money, to be put in a bank managed by themselves, out of which 
 any individual might draw at any time what belonged to him. I 
 stated that a single ^^-^nny a-week saved by every labouring man, and a 
 penny a-month by every labouring woman, would amount to a large sum 
 in the course of a year, as appears above : But that if every one saved 
 the utmost, and deposited the same in a savings bank, a million of 
 pounds sterling could easily be amassed in one year by the labourers 
 of Scotland, and five millions by the labourers of the United King- 
 dom. I stated, what many of you know, that the savings banks 
 which now exist, only tend to increase that power which has hitherto 
 subjected the poor to oppression and neglect ; and I proved how a 
 double rate of interest could be obtained from a savings bank, insti- 
 tuted and managed by yourselves. 
 
 I called attention to the present system, and the endless misery 
 which ensues from low wages. Young people will marry at a certain 
 age. Nature has implanted desires which impel them to do so ; and, 
 under proper conduct. Nature is never wrong. At present, young 
 people marry while unprovided with means to bring up children : 
 children increase : keep them ever poor ; and at last, leave them in 
 old age, dependent, wretched, and hopeless. I said that every child 
 should, in justice, repay to parents the expense of up-bringing, which 
 could not be calculated at much less than £50 for each child : that 
 under present circumstances, repayment was seldom thought of, and 
 seldomer made good : — that were a grand system of emigration estar- 
 blished, this would be quite practicable, might soon prevail, and 
 would rapidly change the whole face of society ; — that from misery 
 and wretchedness, the labouring classes would emerge into strength, 
 and joy, and contentment : that mental energy would be added to 
 muscular power : thut all the oflices of life would be ably filled : that 
 movality and religion would then advance and flourish : that man 
 would at last regain his place in paradise, — be perfect, and constantly 
 with God in the world. 
 
 I shewed how this might very easily be accomplished ; and the sim- 
 plest of you may understand it. Just now a \-oung man may easily save 
 £12 b3fore he is twenty years of age, and a young woman £5 before 
 she is eighteen, by contributing to a savings bank. I say they may 
 do this even now, when wages are at the lowest rate. A couple marry- 
 with such a sum, cross the Atlantic, and go a thousand miles 
 
 ing may. 
 
 up the country, where there never yet was known want of employ- 
 ment at triple the rate of wages which has ever been obtained, for any 
 length of time, in this country ; and where there neither can be want 
 of employment nor lower wages, for some hundred years. A couple of 
 young and unencumbered people may reach that part of the world in 
 two months from leaving their native spot in this country : they may 
 remit every year £10 to their parents without the least inconvenience ; 
 for children, there, increase wealth instead of confirming poverty ; and 
 thus, in ten years, they may repay the cost of up-bringing. They 
 may, if inclined, pay a visit to their parents at the end of this period, 
 and have their children with them : such would be their increased 
 means and independence. Look then to the happy consequences :— 
 gratitude ! — aftection to parents ! — piety ! would thus be fostered in tha 
 
 MWO 
 
f) 
 
 S4 
 
 Touns^ ; — case, plenty, independence insured to the old. Think Jiow it 
 would be with parents who had half-a-dozen children, thus providing 
 for them at fifty years of age— thus visiting them with their grandchil- 
 dren ! ! £300 returned from these children for the charge of up-bring- 
 ing !— nothing more than it should be— nothing more than it may be, 
 from a grand system of emigration. 
 
 I proved that this state of things would benefit the Rich as well as 
 the Poor, in a variety of ways. I sliowed that the rich, from encreased 
 circulation of money, would become more rich: that all their enjoy- 
 ments would thence be refined, and their comforts multiplied.— I pointed 
 back to seasons of prosperity, and asked if rents and taxes had not 
 been best paid when wages"were high. I pointed to Poland— to Ire- 
 land—to every i)lace where wages were low ; and asked what was the 
 v:am to government or landlords ? — I illustrated in the most simple 
 uianner, how it was that low wages produced universal poverty. I 
 s lid that if there were 100 labourers in a parish, and each had 2s. a 
 day, there was Is. to pay for house rent, fuel, food, and clothing; 
 which mijiht all be procured with little circulation of cash — with_ a 
 single shilling :— that the other might be called the circulating shil- 
 ling : that it went to the tradesman, the shopkeeper, the school- 
 master, &c. ; and that from it arose many comforts to all, and pro- 
 vii-Ion against emergencies ; — that the tradesman, the shopkeeper, 
 school master, and others, were all useful to Society ; and could 
 «inlv exist from the overflowings of the labouring poor — their harder 
 workin'T fellow-creatures. But if these hard-working people increased 
 in number from 100 to 200, they could not possibly be well paid, or 
 have any thing to spend among tradesmen, shopkeepers, &c.-— that the 
 work to" be done remaining the same, while money was not increased, 
 the 200 would only have Is. each per day ; and that there would be 
 no circulating shilling ;— nay in fact, they would not even get Is. a 
 day each, for their own competition for employment would cheapen 
 the labour J they would work for the lowest pittance ;— would 'lave 
 no comfort,— no independence ; be often idle, and often starving. 
 
 I stated that the amount of employment in every country had limits : 
 that in this country, during the last forty years, many works had been 
 completed which would not require to be done again, such as roads, 
 canals, fencing, draining, and the l^ke : that i.ow machinery enabled 
 much more work to be performed with fewer hands : that now other 
 nations were getting machines, and making for themselves what we 
 used to provide them with. In short, looking to all circumstances, 
 it was vain to expect improvement in the condition of labourers, if 
 labourers did not make themselves scarce by emigrating : that thougli 
 the wealth of the nation was parted out equally : though govorn- 
 inent was absolutely perfect, and taxes trifiing : still, if labourers were 
 too manv for the work to be done, there must be poverty and wretched- 
 ness ; more u1)ject poverty, and greater wretchedness than ever : that 
 
 there' was no lasting and manly remedy but in virtue,— restraining 
 ])assion, or fulfilling the first great law, not in part, but in whole— 
 that law which does not merely say "increase and multiphj," but 
 " replenish the earth, and subdue it." In other wordy, go abroad and 
 «f ttle in the colonies— emigrate. 
 
S5 
 
 k )io\v it 
 )roviding 
 randchil- 
 ip-bring- 
 may be, 
 
 J well as 
 increased 
 ir enjoy- 
 I pointed 
 
 had not 
 —to Ire- 
 t was the 
 it simple 
 iverty. I 
 ad 2s. a 
 clothing ; 
 — with a 
 ting shil- 
 e school- 
 and pro- 
 opkeeper, 
 lid could 
 ir harder 
 increased 
 1 paid, or 
 -that the 
 increased, 
 would be 
 get Is. a 
 
 cheapen 
 ould 'lava 
 ■ving. 
 ad limits : 
 1 had been 
 1 as roads, 
 •y enabled 
 now other 
 i what we 
 imstances, 
 )ourers, if 
 lat thougli 
 h govcrn- 
 jrers were 
 wretched- 
 over : that 
 estraining 
 n whole — 
 iphj," but 
 ibroad and 
 
 LAD0UUEB9 ! — Opebativks ! 
 
 I am unwilling to fatigue you. These are a few of the facts, argu- 
 ments and sentiments spoken last year at parish meetings. They are 
 highly important : you should get them by heart, and teach them to 
 your children. It is not temporal interests only which they affect. 
 The inunortal part is beholden to means for sustaining life. Mini- 
 sters may preach ; but, starve the body, and the soul must pine. Reli- 
 gion is our highest duty ; but v/e must live and have leisure before 
 we can attend to it. How can a poor weaver, toiling fifteen hours 
 a-day for lOd., do justice to religion ? — How can a poor widow with 
 3d. a-day " praise God with mirth ?" — Is it in human nature to be 
 contented and happy under such circumstances ? 
 
 Look to the Record, No. XVII, and see that I invited the people of 
 Ceres parish to meet me after (.hurch service, to converse on the reli- 
 gious duty of raising and upholding wages ; and also the ministers to 
 invoke Almighty aid. Tlie people did meet me in the Bow-butts ; but 
 I then told them merely to keep my card of invitation, that I might 
 afterwards refer to it ; and when opportunity is afforded, I shall speak 
 at length on this subject, — a most important and sacred one. 
 
 No minister appeared, though I waited on all respectfully with my 
 card ; and I now ask, would they have done wrong to attend ? — Do 
 they not receive money for the i)oor, and count it over on Sunday .'' — 
 Do not many ministers read newspapers on Sunday, and talk freely 
 iibuut secular affairs ? — Would they, or could they preach without 
 stipends ? — Did they not petition Parliament in favour of corn-laws .''— 
 Do they not invoke Almighty aid on many occasions, and for many 
 objects less connected with religion than the raising and upholding of 
 vvao-es ? — Are we not told by the highest authority that " the la- 
 bolt rcr is worthy of his hire," and that " the Sabbath is made for man, 
 not ?)tan Jar the Sabbath ?" — Did not Christ ami his disciples con- 
 verse with the people every day of the week, and in the open fields ? — 
 Did they not prize charity above all things, and take special care of 
 the poor ? — It would be wrorg, on such subjects, to argue ; and every 
 child can answer these questions in my behalf. 
 
 Labourers ! — Operatives ! 
 The labourer is tvorfht/ of his hire ; and I am now to speak of mine. 
 It was on business I called you to meet me : for doing business I was 
 appointed agent to the Emigration Union : 1 was paid 2s. 6d. as others 
 were for a day's work ; and I have a fair claim for wages during six 
 months devoted to the ormation of Emigration Societies. I do not 
 say that this claim could be enforced by law ; but you are morally bound, 
 that is, in good faith and as honest men, to admit and discharge it. — I 
 do not say that the delegates who met at Union, — paid me, and put me 
 in commission, are liable. I do not say that the few who have re- 
 mained true to engagement, — attended meetings and contributed regu- 
 larly, are by themselves liable ; quite the reverse. If any should be 
 excused, these are the men ; and I never intended to charge them alone. 
 31 V claim is upon the whole body of the labouring people of the J 7 
 
26 
 
 parishes, wlierein representatives were openly and fairly appointed to 
 act in societies and unions for their benefit. This is my business ; and 
 it would be as absurd in any mason, wright, smith, weaver, tailor, 
 shoemaker, or common labourer, to suppose that I could work for them 
 gralis, as for me to ask their labour for nothing. It would be as in- 
 excusable in them to neglect making a charge— inexcusable to them- 
 selves anl families— as for me to neglect doing so. I have delayed for 
 a whole year making this charge ; but I have delayed for the advantage 
 of my employers, and that 1 might be better able to satisfy them of 
 the reasonableness of my demands, the regularity of my proceedings, 
 the importance of my calling, and fidelity to duty. 
 
 It may have appeared to many worse than idle for me, the father of 
 a family, to be going through Fife for six months, calling meetings 
 and speaking publicly ; but this was done to begin a business which 
 may yet prove profitable in every way. The obstacles to establishing 
 this business have been, and are still great ; but my patience is by no 
 means exhausted, and I feel confident, that with continued health and 
 life, all may yet go well. Happily, had I my own, I am not depen- 
 dant ; and "if I am contented with little in the meantime, what right 
 liave others to be censorious ? The ct'34 stated above as due to me, 
 divided among the labouring people of the 1 7 parishes, can be paid 
 twice over, by Id. from each man, and a farthing from each woman. 
 Tiiere can be no difficulty, therefore, even at the present pressing sea- 
 son of the year, in the way of my being paid, if labouring people really 
 appreciate my services, and are willing to contribute. I ask the office- 
 bearers of the societies to set about collecting forthwith. Larger 
 parishes may contribute more : smaller less ; as abler and less able in- 
 dividuals may also do. The sum may speedily be raised ; and as it 
 will be honourable to give, — so I shall be proud to receive. As soon 
 as oflice-bearers have done the business, they will be so good as report 
 to me ; and I shall invite them to meet me— respectively at Union, 
 Orrbridge, Dunshelt, and Frierton. 
 
 As soon as the cash is secure, I shall order good dinners to be pro- 
 vided at these places ; and no one who meets me there, shall go away 
 empty or cheerless. 
 
 I asked, to begin with, if any one could have done more in the same 
 time, or advised you better in all circumstances. Allow me now to 
 review the conduct of your representatives, oftice-bearers, and de- 
 legates. 
 
 So far as minutes and resolutions go, all is regular and proper : but 
 mark the performance. Nothing could be more harmonious, or give 
 better hope of success than the first Union meeting : but see how it 
 was with the second. After I had gone to Edinburgh and got a proof 
 sheet of the first number of the United Lakoureh, formed five 
 more societies, and provided dinner; observe, that 12s. Cd. had been 
 collected, and that only li)s. 'd}A was put into my hands— not stifti- 
 cient to ])ay for the dinner. I then saw that something was wrong : 
 that influences had been used to intimidate, to make false impressions, 
 to scandalize, and damp proceedings : but I knew at same time that 
 ignorance was working on ignorance, and resolved to go on. Lords, 
 
 4 # 
 
27 
 
 lairds, farmers, manufacturers, ministers, merchants, contractors, 
 every man and woman wlio employed another, had taken alarm that 
 wages would be raised, and they themselves injured. All, of course, 
 were at work against our proceedings ; but 1 knew that ultimately 
 all would be gainers, and resolved to go on with a rehearsal, so as to 
 realize at least a form of proceedings, i)y which you may know how to 
 act in future. Indeed, the above records are invaluable ; and the 
 day anproacl.es when all will think and act liberally. 
 
 It was curious to observe that alarm first seized Largo parish, where 
 I kent house six years, and where no one will accuse me of aught 
 wrontr in conduct during even my youthful days. Delegates fx-om 
 Larco put into the fund 3s. lid., got dinner for nothing, and pocketed 
 UP three half-crowns at the first Union meeting ! At the second, 
 they put nothing into the fund, and still had dinner ! Let the 
 people of Largo be specially confronted with their own minutes, and 
 Ly on what principle they could behave thus, or trifle with me. 1 
 expressly told them, and all, that business was my object ; and that it 
 was the business by which I proposed to live. Here are the minutes 
 of the two first meetings of Largo Emigration Society. 
 
 iMrgo, March 29, 1828. 
 Which day the inhabitants of this parish having met and been made 
 sensible of the vast importance of emigration, not only as a means of 
 bettering the condition of labourers, but of maintaining the strength 
 and prosperity of the nation at large, proceeded to choose persons who 
 might meet as an Emigration Society, and transact their business, via. 
 
 Thomas Wilson, mason, 
 William Dunbar, ivright, 
 James Wallace, smith, 
 George White, weaver. 
 
 George Simpson, tailor, 
 William Luke, shoemaker, 
 Thomas Brand, labourer ; 
 
 also, as auxiliaries, George Clark, James White, George Greig, tveavers, 
 Alexander Turbain, and William Cornfoot, labourers. 
 
 These individuals considering it proper and necessary to have lists 
 of all operatives of the parish, from 1 7 to 70 years of age, ranged under 
 the respective heads of 7nasons, wrights, smiths, weavers, tailors, shoe- 
 makers, and labourers in general, resolved each of them to exert them- 
 selves in making out such lists ; and also to solicit from each person 
 one sixpence, to form the ground of a fund, out of which charges of 
 management may be paid.-This done, they agree to meet again at 
 the house of Edward Lees, on Friday, April 4th, by seven o clock of 
 the evening. 
 
 (Signed) Thomas Wilson, mason. 
 
 William Dunbak, wright. 
 
 Jamks Wallace, smith. 
 
 George White, weaver. 
 
 W^iLLiAM Luke, shoemaker. 
 
 George Simpson, tailor- 
 
 Thomas Brand, labourer. 
 
 ■-•■-'"-SSWiiiS^a 
 
28 
 
 E ' 
 
 Largo, Aprili, HJ2B. 
 
 This (lay the following persons having met, viz. — 
 
 George Bro-.vn, Mason, George Simpson, Tailor, 
 
 Wiliiiim Dunbar, Wright, William Luko, Shoemaker, 
 
 William ^Mitchell, Smith, Thomas Brand, Labourer, 
 
 George WJiite, JVeaver, 
 
 with George Clark, George Greig, Robert Annan, and Robert IMeek, 
 
 auxiliaries. 
 
 INIr. Simpson was called to the chair — IMr. Dunbar chosen Secretary, 
 and Mr. Brand, Treasurer. 
 
 The committee then proceeded to examine lists; which, from misap- 
 prehension and unavoidable circumstances, being found greatly de- 
 ficient, it was agreed that each of the representatives of the seven 
 classes, should, before next meeting, complete his own, and collect what 
 money he may be able to procure from voluntary aid for expenses of 
 management, &c. 
 
 The committee having heard the meeting of Ceres parish read, rela- 
 tive to sending delegates to Keambridge, Saturday 11 th, by 11 o'clock, 
 approved of the same, and agreed that George Greig, George Clark, 
 and Robert Annan do attend for this committee, with the lists and 
 contributions. 
 
 The committee then agreed to adjourn till Friday 11th instant, at 
 the hour of seven o'clock p. m. (Signed) Georgk Siau'son. 
 
 On the evening of the second Union Meeting, I walked to Craig- 
 rothie with the Secretary and Treasurer of Ceres Society, and at parting 
 we ao-reed to call at the Treasurer's house next morning, by 8 o'clock ; 
 when I was to submit a scroll of the i*unPosES of the Ehighation 
 Union. The Secretary waited on me next morning ; we went to the 
 Treasurer at the appointed hour, but he had gone from home by seven 
 o'clock ; and never after attended any meeting. I immediately after-' 
 wards wrote out and published the Pubposks, No. X. of the Record : 
 and let any one find iault with that paper who can. It was posted all 
 over Fife, sent to Canada ; and, as matter even of national consequence, 
 four copies were despatched to ministers of state, with duplicates to 
 be laid before the Privy Council. 
 
 Last winter, wishing to know what reason the Treasurer of Ceres 
 Society had for abandoning duty, I wrote to enquire, and his answer 
 was, that he had done so merely from " a conviction that it would 
 never do any good." — After the lapse of a year, I bid you examine 
 the records, first and last, to tell me why " it would never do any 
 good." 
 
 The fact that wages of common labourers are three times higher in 
 the colonies than at home, and that wages there cannot possibly be 
 reduced for generations to come, is undeniable. The fact that any 
 common labouring man may save £12 by twenty years of age ; and 
 any labouring woman £iJ by eighteen years of age ; as well as that a 
 couple of such people may convey themselves across the Atlantic, and 
 a thousand miles up the country for the amount of those savings, is also 
 
 » » 
 
 ! 
 
S9 
 
 4 
 
 £4 
 
 1 
 
 undeniable. The fact that no laws now exist to prevent combinations 
 to r-iise Wiitjes, and to emigrate, is undeniable ; as well as the fact that 
 all our moetings were legal and peaceable :— where then is the reason 
 for saving that *' H would never do amj goorf."— It will do no good, 
 and nothing can, unless efforts are made ; and to realize my projects 
 efforts may very easily be made. You may begin again in any parish 
 immediately : you may collect savings ; and at the end of a given timo, 
 vou may divide these savings, and let every individual have his own 
 with interest, if you do not wish to apply the money as I would have 
 vou to do. This very saving would do good of itself. 
 
 Upwards of fifty years ago, when my father sent the first cart-load 
 of nursery plants to the hills of Auchtermuchty, a bailie of that town 
 said there never would be so much brought back, thinking the soil 
 too poor for trees, and that the plants would never do any good : but 
 the trees fl-^urished, and for many years before my Other's death, he 
 had pleasure in seeing the poor people of Auchtermuchty carrying 
 home the decayed branches to keep them warm. Since then a hundred 
 acres of valuable timber have been cut down ; and the land, enriched 
 by the annual fall of leaves, has been converted into an arable farm. 
 
 But my father cultivated more than trees. In my remembrance 
 he took a poor lame man by the hand, who was literally starving as 
 a schoolmaster in the village of Craigrothie ; trained him for business ; 
 gave him employment ; had him appointed county surveyor ; and, at 
 last, he became a most valuable member of society. Now one of his 
 sons is a minister, and the other a prosperous land-surveyor. These 
 are specimens of the way to do good : but if men are faithless, faint- 
 hearted, and cowardly, they can never do any good, and it is danger- 
 ous to have to do with them. 
 
 Having introduced my father, it is my duty to say more of him : 
 
 and reflecting on his treatment by the world, I shall be better able to 
 
 endure its treating of me. During forty-five years he was, beyond 
 
 comparison, the most public-spirited man in Fife;— the most judicious 
 
 purchaser of land ; and the most energetic improver. The road from 
 
 Cupar by Kennoway, from Cupar to Ne^ burgh, and from Craigrothie 
 
 to St. Andrews, with the shorter lines at Glentarkie and Greenside, 
 
 were'all begun and finished mainly by his exertions. The estates of 
 
 Scotstarvit, Broadleys and Newton, Kilmarnon, Pratis, Baltilly, and 
 
 Glentarkie, were allbrought from a state of nature into their ])resent 
 
 condition,--enclosed and planted by him. Age and misfortune, not 
 
 mismana'^ement, bore him down at last ; and he was no sooner down 
 
 than deserted by the man whose hand he had longest held as a friend 
 
 ,10 sooner down than the world was disposed to forget him. 
 
 I am still in the world : rejoice to serve it ; and though deserted, 
 shall not despair. If you, the labourers of Fife, support me, I shull 
 do mighty good. This is mer ly an earnest and a specimen. If you 
 
 support me I can give you 
 
 as much information every week, for ii 
 year to come. Nay I could even compose a valuable volume from 
 experiences among" you last year. If you pay me for what is done, 
 I shall address vou again •• but without support 1 can do nothing. 
 
30 
 
 It should be called to mind that I came from London to Fife in 
 consequence, and by means of a subscription of one penny from each 
 person in the parishes of Ceres, Seoonie, and Kennoway, having pledged 
 myself to prove ; " First, At Ceres, to the satisfaction of the people 
 there, that by establishing a grsmd system of emigration, poor-rates 
 may be reduced to a triHe in ten years -.—Second, At Leven, that, by 
 rightly laying out and disposing of colonial lands, the national debt 
 might be liquidated by sales thereof in fifty years •.—-Third, At Ken- 
 noway, that every industrious labourer may be speedily and profitably 
 employed." , . 
 
 I did not flinch from these engagements ; but the subscription not 
 being immediately raised, and I being detained unavoidably in Lon- 
 don, my mode of proceeding was changed to what you have seen en- 
 graved on my business-card, and which is now printed on the cover of 
 
 this record. . 
 
 My first purpose being to " advise labourers to form Emigration 
 Societies," I set about that, and did my utmost. Seeing that I could 
 not actually begin my land-agency business, which requires of me 
 iirst to be in America, I notified to farmers, in a good humoured 
 card, a copy of which is subjoined, that I was ready to " converse" 
 with them " as to settlement abroad/' 1 posted bills all over the county, 
 and advertised in the newspapers, that I would deliver discourses on 
 " Poor-law Reform and Emigration." My tickets of admission 
 to my discourses are still for sale with the booksellers, and I am ever 
 ready to fulfil my engagements. 
 
 Before leaving Fife, I had the use of the Masons' Lodge in Cupar, 
 and attended there to address labourers and farmers (see No. 4, an- 
 nexed), having James Kirk with me, mentioned in Record No. XV, 
 who had just then returned from America, and who was willing to 
 give evidence as to the ease and advantages of emigrating. 
 
 Finally ; having little to do while my private affairs are unsettled, 
 you will find from No. 5, that I offered to assist in the establishing 
 of Infant Schools. In all this I have been quite regular and con- 
 sistent ; but, by myself, I can do nothing — Ever faithfully yours, 
 
 Rob. Gourlay. 
 
 Ii 
 
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 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 No. 1, 
 
 Pratis, March 2fi, 1828. 
 
 I^Ir. Gourlay offers his first crack to the tanners of Fife at AI'Nab's 
 Inn, from four till seven o'clock afternoon, 27th instant- 
 
 His terms are a bottle of wine to the house, and the price of a bottle 
 
 to himself. ,, . i i t j- 
 
 2V. iy.— From seven till ten o'clock. Tea, ISIusic, and the Ladies. 
 The above ;.".'.'? ivritten on mi/ bii.sincss card, and handed tojurmert 
 in Cupar corn-markd. 
 
 No. 2. 
 DISCOURSES, 
 IMr Gourlay having devoted Six INIonths to the formation of Emi- 
 cration Societies, and done all that can be done for the present as to 
 fhese —now purposes to proceed with his design of delivering Dis- 
 rouRSKs on Poou-i-AW Rkfoiim and Emigration, wherein he will 
 «rove that, rvithout aliering a single statute changing a single insti. 
 ■'dion or interfering with properti/, the whole sijstem qf Poor-laws 
 ard Rates may be dispensed with in 20 years, while the ^al^onal Debt 
 man be paid of within oO years, from f^ales oj Colonial Lands. 
 
 The obiect being not rhetorical display and mere theory, but con- 
 viction and practical good, these Discourses will be delivered estemimre, 
 week after week, at St. Andrews, Anstruther, Leven, Cupar, Dun- 
 fermline, and Kirkaldy, on .Monday, and succeeding days respectively, 
 between the hours of 7 and 9 p. m. Thus will tune be afforded for 
 impartial and patient consideration, as well as for putting questions, 
 to which IMr. G. will most cheerfully reply. , , , 
 
 Tickets of admission to be had -f booksellers and others throughout 
 the country, prico 5s. Gd.-Or double price may be deposited, wholly 
 to be returned, if, at the end of the course, the majority of auditors 
 \h-{[\ declare that IMr. G 's assertions have not been proved. 
 
 N. B.^This was posted all over Fife, end of October 182a 
 
 No. 3. 
 POOR-LAW REFORM AND EMIGRATION. 
 
 Tickets of admission to Mr. Gourlay's discourses may be had of the 
 booksellers, St. Andrews, Cupar, and Dunfermline; Mr. Gumming, 
 Saldv Mr. Elder, Leven ; and Mr. Cockburn Anstruther 
 
 INIr G will commence in that town which first liberally manifesta a 
 desire to hear him ; and in such place as may then appear most suit- 
 
 *^N. B.—This ivas published in the Fife Herald, beginning of Xo- 
 
 t.m6er'l828. ^^ . 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 LABOURERS ! 
 
 Operative Masons,-Wrights,-Smiths,-Ploughmen &c. hear me 
 from One till Two o'clock of this day, m the Masons Lodge, on the 
 subject of 
 
 MMWWH 
 
ss 
 
 WAGES. 
 
 N. Ji.—To regnlaic adnmutm, ijou must pay Sixpence each ; hiil 
 all beyond costs shall be given tu the pour. 
 
 FAIUaERS! 
 My old friemla, your sons, iuid grandsons,— honour me with your 
 presence in the same i)hxce. by half-past four o clock, that I may 
 briefly recount niv trials of twenty years, and make to you a most 
 solemn appeal. You shall o.ily be required to give at the door your 
 names and residences. Kobt. Gourlay. 
 
 N. B.- This was posted in Cupar, Martinmas market-day, 1828. 
 
 No. i). 
 
 INFANT SCHOOLS. 
 
 2, Bridge Street, Lcilh, January 6, lfi2l). 
 
 Sin— Nothing of a public nature could give me greater pleasure 
 
 than the prospect of having Infant Schools established in Scotland ; 
 
 and nothing could so brighten that prospect as your becommg patron of 
 
 these institutions. , -,- , j -.i m 
 
 In 1000 I left Scotland to make a tour through England with JVlr. 
 Robertson, author of the ]\Iid-Lothian Report; and we had many 
 benefits from your letters of introduction. That tour, protracted ou 
 my part, led me to an acquaintance with Mr. A. Young ; and that to 
 schemes for reforming the poor-law system, which have ever since 
 engaged my attention ; and I now publicly declare by the accompany- • 
 ing card, that" without altering a single statute, changing a single 
 institution, or interfering with property, the whole system oj the I oor 
 Laws and Rates may be dispensed with in twenty years." 
 
 Part of my machinery for effecting this, isthe establishment of Infant 
 Schools. My attention was fi-st drawn to these at New Lanark 18U)- 
 20 • and for years afterwards, I was in the habit of visiting schools ui 
 London. June 1824 I had petitions presented to parliament on the 
 subject ;— had a man trained under i^lr. Wilderspin, with the view ot 
 bringing him to Scotland as the master of an Infant School ; but an 
 unfortunate occurrence marred all my p-Zjects. 
 
 I am now so situated, that were a society formed in Edinburgh for 
 establishing Infant Schools, I would willingly devote my whole time 
 to its service ; and doubt not, that with zeal, a school might be erec- 
 ted in every parish of the kingdom within a couple of years. 
 
 Should Vou incline to see me on this subject, or to shew this letter 
 to the meeting to-day, I eIuiU, at any moment, be ready to appear and 
 CO more into detail.— Most respectfully yours, 
 ^ Sir John Sinclair. Ron- Gourlay. 
 
 N B —The above letter was laid bi/ Sir John before the committee 
 of management, at Waterloo Tavern : but it was not so much as noticed 
 at the nieeting, while even excuses for non-attendance were read Jrom 
 the platjorm. 
 
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 ^Fak Is n rccordinij niiinial ; and \h\s iiuh'pd ii the host «lefiiii»lon of him. 
 Inferior .iiiiinals coniiiiuiiifatL' l)y voice uiid hy sigiiul over itpiiip ; but 
 tlinnij-li time liave no mudiurr of iiitelli^;ein;e, nnd from tfcni'nitioii to 
 f,*eiioratiou rtmiiiii tlie sanio. Tlu-y ure iiuleed thn lieasts thiit perish ; 
 fiiU man is the asiiinint to (ixcelU'iice, and the cnndidiitc for inmiortiility. 
 Ills spirit, thoiif^ii cradled in wctkiu'ss, and nurroiiiidfd with (lifliculty, 
 
 s d»'stiiu'd to gain tlie nscciidmit, uiul to triumph over every ill to enjoy 
 
 ;i ratiouiil Tiiineriiumou earth, and at hn to hohl converse with Heaven. 
 
 Such lias liei'u my fate diiriii;:; tlic List t«-enty.one years, that 1 ^luMlld 
 not e\-eii know myself htit for r.'corjK ; — shouhl not distinctly remenilier 
 where I have heeii, how enipli'ved, wlio with, and of what tliinkini^ : 
 should never he aide to nr.itiiai)! my rights, and manage my alFairs : hhonld 
 eever he able to correct my errors, or iiccoiujdish -my undertakings. Per- 
 suadelof this, I hv'.'an, many years at^o, to preserve mvipapers ; and, in 
 1!I2(J, to print thei.i, regularly cli.si>ed, lettered, imd ninnljered for after re- 
 fpretice. What is contained within this cover is a continuation ; and 
 should I live to h.^ve iieace and freedom, these documetits, however M-orth- 
 less hy themselves, and disi()intc<l as at i)reseut, may enalde me to mature 
 projects of mightiest moment to hmnanity. 
 
 ICveu at present, my records are C(ms.ilat,)ry. They are the clue to re. 
 llectiou on jiast life, and this reUfMtion gives assurance that the diain of 
 causes and elFects proceeds from Alml;;hly I'owcr ; — gives assurance that 
 there is a Providence — a Disjfoser of Kvents — a Su|)erior Intelligence, 
 whec ways are not as our ways ;- -who (an guide us through darkMcs.*. 
 into liglit, and over rugged jmtlis to iramiuillily. 
 
 It is nearly twwuy-uine years since I engaged in the service of lahourcrs. 
 For this 1 was maltreated at home: for this I went to England, and was 
 liersccuied there : this kindled my zeal in Canada ; and for this I >vris 
 liauished : in the gloomiest stage of existence, this was ever in view ; ami 
 this made years of imprisonment jiass svv'ifily away : this lias deprived me of 
 all property, separated nu' from my chihiren, and left me alone in the world : 
 
 , liut my rec^wwls give assurance that ".•ery misfbrttnfS lujs heen only a step 
 
 towards good ;: ami that up to tlie ])resent moniPirt, all is for the hest. I lie- 
 lieve, iudeed|>j|fe»t no niher train of events could liave prepared me to assert 
 with growing 'Conti<lence, what noother man has th«nigl\t Vtf , or dared todo, 
 thntwilJutut ttltcriiui a ningk utatute^vliaiifiin;/ a .iin()leini'/''"tion,iir inter- 
 ferini/ with property, the whole system of the Poor Lnwx niiu liatis mat/ U' 
 ili.ipfiisi'd with in 20 i/cars, vhUc tlie Naiianal licht nuti/ lic jiui/l off wit/tin 
 50 years, ffom snlcs of Colonial Lands. 
 
 lUm. (rOlRI.AV. 
 
 •J. Biidwt Street, I.ciih, Nov. '10, l(t2a. 
 
 €■■ ^_ 
 
 }"';!>.\TUM.— r«ge 'JS), line 1.' irom tlic Ijottom, lor " trea/inn," icua '• Inctment.' 
 
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