was so grossly defective as not
merely to distort but absolutely to conceal its opinions. It was
habitually looked upon as the most servile and corrupt portion of the
British Empire; and the eminent liberalism and the very superior
political qualities of its people seem to have been scarcely
suspected to the very eve of the Reform Bill of 1832. That something
of that liberalism existed at the outbreak of the American war, may,
I think, be inferred from the very significant fact that the
Government were unable to obtain addresses in their favor either from
Edinburgh or Glasgow. The country, however, was judged mainly by its
representatives, and it was regarded as far more hostile to the
American cause than either England or Ireland."[146]

A very able editor writing at the time has observed:

"It must however be acknowledge, that an unusual apathy with respect
to public affairs, seemed to prevail with the people, in general, of
this country; of which a stronger proof needs not to be given, that
than which will probably recur to every body's memory, that the
accounts of many of the late military actions, as well as of
political procedings of no less importance, were received with as
much indifference, and canvassed with as much coolness and unconcern,
as if they had happened between two nations with whom they were
scarcely connected. We must except from all these observations, the
people of North Britain (Scotland), who, almost to a man, so far as
they could be described or distinguished under any particular
denomination, not only applauded, but proffered life and fortune in
support of the present measures."[147]

The list of addresses sent from Scotland to the king against the
Colonies is a long one,--unbroken by any remonstrance or correction. It
embraces those sent by the provost, magistrates, and common (or town)
council of Aberbrothock, Aberdeen, Annan, Ayr, Burnt-Island, Dundee,
Edinburgh, Forfar, Forres, Inverness, Irvine, Kirkaldy, Linlithgow,
Lochmaben, Montrose, Nairn, Peebles, Perth, Renfrew, Rutherglen, and
Stirling; by the magistrates and town council of Brechine, Inverary, St.
Andrews, Selkirk, Jedburgh, Kirkcudbright, Kirkwall, and Paisley; by the
magistrates, town council and all the principal inhabitants of Fortrose;
by the provost, magistrates, council, burgesses and inhabitants of
Elgin; by the chief magistrates of Dunfermline, In