Observations on the Present State of the Highlands of Scotland, with a View of the Causes and Probable Consequences of Emigration

London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1805. First Edition. Hardcover. Very good. vii, 223, lvi p. 22 cm. Half leather with marbled paper boards, newer endpapers. Former owner's label on front pastedown. Occasional spots.

In 1792, Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk, undertook an extensive tour through the Scottish Highlands and became convinced that emigration from the troubled district was unavoidable. Recognizing the need of a controlling hand to direct the migration, he conceived the idea of settlememnt at Red River (now Winnipeg) but this did not occur until 1811. This work was partly written as a defence against various reports spread concerning the improbability of his colonization schemes. He speaks of the tide of emigration to the USA and suggests that this emigration might be turned to Canada. He speaks at length of the success of his settlement at Prince Edward Island which he founded in 1803 when his first attempts at Red River did not meet with success. TPL 766, Lande 1440, Peel 30, Sabin 207n.