******************************************************************************************************************************************************* This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************* To Joseph Peacock, Esquire Factor for His Grace the Duke of Sutherland, The Petition of Hugh Murray Lotter Clagin of Muie, Rogart Humbly Showeth That for upwards of three years your petitioner was unable to do anything for himself of family, and for the last two years or thereby, he was mostly confined to bed, and now is completely disabled. That no medical skill has been able even to lighten his discease or lessen the stinging pain which he suffers. That your petitioner has a throng family - most of whom are weak and helpless - indebted, both your petitioner and they, for some time back to public kindness for support. That your petitioner is strongly advised - both by medical men and others - to try the Strathpeffer Wells as the other means likely to restore him - if not to complete, at least to tolerable health. That your petitioner has now no means to enable him to avail himself of that from which thousands have received benefit and restoration to health. Your petitioner ventures therefore to throw himself, through you, upon the benevolence of the Duke of Sutherland, in the humble hope that some means may be provided for enabling him to give at least a trial to what is so strongly recommended. May it please you them to bring your humble petitioner's case before Mr Loch or His Grace And your petitioner shall ever pray [signed] Hugh Murray Clagin Muie Rogart July 25th 1861 The Statements as to disease and dependence upon public charity contained in the above petition are correct [signed by] Alex Sutherland Muie John Murray Muie Donald McKenzie Muie Paul Mckay Muie [pencil note: "No 186 Muie £4 4 5 rent wife & 8 children oldest 17 - Herding & 3 others at work youngest 3"] Not quite as unusual a request as one might think: the Duke's wife had inherited the Cromartie estate which included Strathpeffer Spa. Poor as well as the better-off went to the Spa which included a pump-room for the poor (which still survives as the pump-room - the sulphurated water is disgusting). Malcolm Dundee, Scotland