In order to give the Reader a just Idea of this Corps of Men, it will not be improper to go back as far as their original Institution, by which we shall be the better enabled to form a just Notion of their Character. Few that are in the least acquainted with the History or Constitution of _Scotland_ but know, that anciently all the Lands in that Kingdom were held of the Crown by Military Tenures, or Knights Service; and that the Vassals of these great Men held their Lands of them by the same kind of Tenures. By this Means, the Nobility of that Kingdom had always a Number of Men ready to bring into the Field, either in defence of their _Sovereign_, or to decide their own private Quarrels with one another, at which the Crown always conniv’d (for political Reasons) until both Parties were reduced to an equal and moderate Share of Power. This Practice of Subjects deciding their private Quarrels by the Sword, obtained anciently all over _Britain_ and most other Countries, until Civil Polity and more wholesome Laws prevailed: and still remained in the _South_ parts, and towards the Borders of _Scotland_, till near the Time of the Union of the Crowns in the Person of King _James_ the First, when the chief Men in those Parts were diverted from their private Animosities, by their necessary Attendance on the Court, now removed at a greater Distance from them. However, this Spirit of Family Feuds still prevailed in the _Highlands_, and more remote Parts of _Scotland_, who, by their Distance from the Court, were unacquainted with the Manners of the civiliz’d Part of the Nation. The inferior Chieftains in these Parts still determined their mutual Quarrels as usual: and in revenge of any Affront, made Incursions and Depredations into the Estates of one another, or connived at their Followers doing so, to the great Discouragement of Industry, and Disturbance of the public Peace. In this Situation were Things in that Part of the Country about the Time of the Union of the Kingdoms, when the Government very wisely, by the Act called the _Clan-Act_, abolished these Tenures, and for preventing these Depredations last mentioned, raised several Independent Companies in the _Highlands_, the command of which were given to some of the most considerable Gentlemen in that Corner, such as Lord _Loveat_, Laird of _Grant_, _Lochnell_, _Farah_, etc., all men of Distinction and Weight, who were willing to engage their Personal and Family Influence, as well as that of their Companies, for suppressing those Quarrels, and settling a Civil Polity in the Country.