I have more info on a post at my web site forum http://www.johnstons.cc/viewtopic.php?p=344#344 But this may be relevant to your query Discontent at Home This address was made to the newspapers during the Crimean War (1854-56) by the men of Sutherland in fear of being thought cowards for not fighting: "We have no country to fight for, as our glens and straths are laid desolate, and we have no wives nor children to defend as we are forbidden to have them. We are not allowed to marry without the consent of the factor, the ground officer being always ready to report every case of marriage, and the result would be banishment from the country. Our lands have been taken from us and given to sheep farmers, and we are denied any portion of them, and when we apply for such, or even a site for a house, we are told that we should leave the country. For these wrongs and oppressions, as well as for others which we have long and patiently endured, we are resolved that there shall be no volunteers or recruits from Sutherlandshire. Yet we assert that we are as willing as our forefathers were to peril life and limb in defence of our Queen and country were our wrongs and long-endured oppression redressed, wrongs which will be remembered in Sutherlandshire by every true Highlander as long as grass grows and water runs." ************************************* John Johnston bearqst@ak.net http://www.johnstons.cc http://www.johnstonclan.info *************************************