Resolved by this Meeting, that a Committee of the company now present, do wait on Mr. Macpherson with the thanks of this Society, for day shewn to me, dated Norfolk Street, July 4, 1784, addressed to the late John Mackenzie, Esq. and to which I have prefixed the following words, "London, 9th June, 1806. "Certified by William Duncan, Brunswick Square," is the handwriting of the late James Macpherson. "I am, Dear Sir John, "Your's very faithfully, "WILLIAM DUNCAN." Letter from N. W. WRAXALL, Esq. to Sir JOHN SINCLAIR, on the same subject. "DEAR SIR JOHN, "Having been appointed by the late Nabob Walajah, joint agent, for conducting his affairs, together with the late James Macpherson, Esq. and having for a great number of years acted with Mr. Macpherson, and had continual intercourse with him, I can say, as our friend Mr. Duncan does in his letter, that I have no manner of doubt, and would, if necessary, readily make oath, that the letter now communicated by you, dated "Norfolk Street, July 4th, 1784," addressed to John Mackenzie, Esq. and signed "James Macpherson," is the hand-writing of the said James Macpherson, "Believe me, Dear Sir John, "Faithfully your's, "N. W. WRAXALL." Sir John Sinclair, Bart. &c. &c. Additional Certificate. "Having examined a letter written by the late James Macpherson, Esq. dated Norfolk Street, July 4th, 1804, addressed to the late John Mackenzie, Esq. we do hereby concur in Mr. Ducan's declaration, and certify our firm conviction and belief, that the said letter is the handwriting of the said James Macpherson, Esq. Date. 24th July, 1806, 25th July, 1806, (Signed) Name. Place of abode. John Street, Adelphi. Mr. Macpherson's original letter, together with Mr. Duncan's, Mr. Wraxall's letters, and the certificates of Mr. Brown and Mr. Whitefoord, are deposited in the Advocate's Library at Edinburgh, where they will always be accessible to those who may be desirous to inspect them. his resolution of an early publication of the original Gaelic Poems of Ossian; and named for a Committee, The Earl of Dunmore, The Earl of Breadalbane, General Macnab, Colonel Robert Stuart, 12th. Aug. 1784.-At a Meeting of the Highland Society of this date, "Reported by Mr. Secretary, that the deputation appointed at last meeting had waited on Mr. Macpherson; when he expressed his sense. of the great honour done him by the Society, and repeated his intentiou to publish the original Gaelic of Ossian with his first leisure. Copy of a Letter of Thanks from Mr. MACKENZIE, in Name of the Society, to Sir J. MURRAY. "SIR, "Having the honour to hold the office of Secretary of the Highland Society, it is my duty to authenticate, and to transmit, the inclosed copy of the Minute made upon reading, at their late meetings, your letter, and the annexed paper and list of subscribers, with which it was accompanied; all providing for the publication of the Gaelic originals of Ossian's immortal poems. "The Minute is short, as usual in the record of our proceedings; and it directs the Committee to communicate more fully the sentiments of the Society on that more than usually agreeable occasion. "In the name of the Committee, it is my part to acquaint you, Sir, for yourself, and on behalf of your respectable contributing friends, that those sentiments were such as naturally and necessarily followed from observing the entire and genuine Highland spirit of your truly patriotic subscribers,—that is, admiration, joined with respect and cordial affection, raised by remarking, that Gentlemen so long absent from their native country, nevertheless, possess so vigorous and active an enthusiasm for its honour and ornament, as not only to make them break forth into indignation at the unmerited suspicions and aspersions entertained and published by ignorance and prejudice against the greatness and refinement of its ancient genius; but also to enter into liberal and splendid measures for calling forth before the public the great example and evidence of the old elevation of the Caledonian mind, in all the unde niable majesty of the venerable Celtic Bard and Prince, whose appearance in person, by the spirited exertions of yourself and friends, must abash and dissipate the crowd of envious cavillers that have swarmed about his respectable representative and translator. "The Highland Society, to second your most laudable wishes, appointed a deputation of Noblemen and Gentlemen to express to that Gentleman, Mr. Macpherson, their ardent wishes also for the publication of the original Gaelic of Ossian's Poems; who having waited on him accordingly, he promised, with abundant expressions of respect for your truly public-spirited association, to comply with those united wishes of his countrymen in all quarters of the world. "I have the honour to be, "With great esteem and regard, "SIR," &c. &c. 1785. Nov. 3.—At a Meeting of the Highland Society, where the Secretary reported the Receipt of 2001. by Mr. MACPHERSON, additional Subscription from Sir JOHN MURRAY. "Resolved, That for the communication of this additional remittance, thanks of this Society be again presented, with particular attention, affection, and admiration, to John Murray, Esq. (now Sir J. M. M.) and the other Highland worthies in India, whose attachment to their country, regard for its credit, and relish for its monuments of genius, are manifested to be unalterable by place or time, by their spirited exertions and liberal contributions for the publication of the now immortal original of Ossian's ancient poetry; which, by their munificence, will long remain to charm the sons, as it has already long delighted their fathers. 12th Jan. 1787.-At a Meeting of the Highland Society, the following Gentlemen, being the Subscribers above alluded to, were elected Members of the Society by acclamation or shew of hands, viz. Sir John Macgregor Murray; Kenneth Murcheson, Esq.; LieutenantColonel John Macpherson; Major-General Peter Duff; Major Alexander Macdonald; Major-General Robert Stuart; Lieutenant John Macgregor; John Mackenzie, Esq. now Paymaster-General, Bengal ; Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Murray, Adjutant-General; Colonel Allan Macpherson; Captain Norman Macleod, of Ullinish; Captain James Sinclair, sen.; Captain Alexander Orme; Lieutenant J. Stewart, of the Artillery; Lieutenant P. Grant; William Macintosh, Esq.; Captain Robert Macgregor; Robert Macfarlane, Esq.; Lieutenant-Colonel Alex. Park; William Pope, Esq.; William Ross, Esq. of Fort-George; Captain Robert Stewart (of Castle Stewart); Mr. William Williams; Lieutenant Alexander Macdonald; James Fraser, Esq.; John Stewart, Esq. Surgeon; Captain John Murray of the Company's Navy; Captain Daniel Macgregor; J. Burrell, Esq.; Bernard M'Callum, Esq.; Lieutenant D. Macpherson, Artillery; Phineas Hall, Esq.; Lieut.-Colonel Robert Murray; Patrick M'Intyre, Esq.; Captain Donald Macleod; Lieutenant John Urquhart; Major-General J. Macdonald; James Grant, Esq. (Redcastle); Lieutenant Campbell, 73d Regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Spens, Ditto; Captain John Macleod (Luskinter); Walter Ross Munro, Esq. M. D.; Colonel John Macintyre, Artillery; Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Campbell; Captain Baillie; Thomas Cockburn, Esq.; Captain Alston; Captain Brown; Lieutenant Mackinnon; John Tulloch, Esq.; Lieutenant Charles Macalister; Lieutenant-Colonel Keith Macalister; Lieutenant Alexander Grant; Lieutenant Jo. Macrae; Lieutenant Alexander Macleod, sen.; Lieutenant Alexander Macleod, jun. No. IV. Declaration by Captain Alexander Morison, of Greenock. CAPTAIN MORISON, who is mentioned, in p. lxxxix, as having assisted Mr. Macpherson in preparing the original Gaelic for the press, being living in 1804, though in a very advanced period of life, it was thought right, to request his answers to the following queries regarding his concern in the publication of the Gaelic original, which Mr. Macpherson had intended, and in preparing which Captain Morison had assisted him. I. Are Queries for Captain Morison, of Greenock. you the person mentioned in the Prospectus herewith sent, regarding the poems of Ossian? II. What do you recollect regarding your preparing a copy of Ossian, in the original Gaelic, for the press? III. Did you see, or copy any part of the work from old manuscripts ? IV. Have you any doubt of the authenticity of Ossian's poems. |