ARICHONAN:

Dear Sir,

I have just had a call from MR. MARTIN (Poltalloch’s Factor) and MR. MCKAY, the Superintendent of Police, who communicate some very serious proceedings that took place on Poltalloch’s lands in the parish of North Knapdale yesterday.  - A Sheriff-Officer named GILLIES and some concurrents, having gone to the farm of Arichonan last week to eject four small Tenants of Poltalloch’s by virtue of a warrant of this Court, were met by the tenants and their families and threatened with violence if they attempted to enter a single house. 

The officer went and informed MR. MARTIN of what occurred, who wrote a full account of the particulars to MR. WILSON here with whom I had a conversation and recommended that a portion of the constabulary force should accompany the officer and also all Poltalloch’s Gamekeepers, Ground Officers, and all others that could be procured to assist.  For this purpose, I gave Mr. Wilson a Note addressed to COLL MCKAY, stating that, understanding what had occurred, I recommended to Mr. McKay to send such of the Police Force as were most conveniently situated, along with the officer to assist him in carrying the warrant into due and lawful execution.

Captain McKay accordingly accompanied by 9 officers, and Mr. Martin, with all Poltalloch’s servants, Ground officers and from 25 to 30 in number, making in all a force of nearly 40 men, went yesterday to Arichonan to eject the four tenants, when they were met by threats and abuse. 

The Tenants dispatched messages immediately to the neighbouring farms and hamlets for assistance, and in a few minutes, about 100 grown men and women assembled, all armed with sticks and stones, who stoned the Police and their party, many of whom were very much hurt.  Mr. Martin (sic) received a severe wound near the temple with a large stone (sic.  Really John Stewart), and he was immediately afterwards knocked down, struck and dragged by the hair, and it was only by the exertions of his own party and the Police that he was rescued, as there seemed a determination to direct the greatest part of their violence against him. 

The Police succeeded in making five of the ringleaders prisoners, and with great difficulty and danger, brought the Prisoners to Ballenach Inn, two miles from Arichonan.  Here, the crowd followed them, and had increased to 200.  Mr. Martin saw they could not possibly be brought farther without their being rescued, and he arranged to take a Bail-bond from two persons for their appearance for a small penalty.