[John Campbell, 4th Earl and 1st Marquess of Breadalbane.] Nine Autograph Letters Signed to him, from various parties, most on estate matters, including five from his agent Duncan Campbell, several showing the hardships suffered by his rural tenants.

Eight of the items are in very good condition, on lightly aged paper, the ninth (Item Four) is damp-stained. One letter (Item Five) is incomplete. Five letters (Items One to Five) are from Breadalbane's estate manager (and kinsman?) Duncan Campbell, and there are other letters from the latter's family. Several of the letters cast interesting light on the strains on the Scottish economy at the time of the Highland Clearances, with Duncan Campbell in one letter (Item One) disassociating himself from Breadalbane's 'proposed augmentation of rent', only to report (Item Four) arrears of the 'enormous Sum of £12,435. 7. 11' a year later. ONE: Duncan Campbell ('Dun Campbell') to Breadalbane. Rockhill; 26 January 1820. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with three postmarks and red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf. 'I go for Lorn without delay, and have fixed upon the 14th. proximo to commence the Nether Lorn arrangement, and beg to assure your Lordship that my best endeavours with the assistance of Mr. Robertson Mr. McAndrew & Mr. McLaggan, will be used to have your Lordships directions accomplished, but as the proposed augmentation of rent is beyond what I conscientiously conceive will tend to your Lordships ultimate advantage, I trust I will be pardoned for observing that I consider myself relieved from the responsibility of the consequences'. He discusses 'the mode of & buildings' in 'the Braes of Lorn & Glenuchar'. 'The existing regulations in these districts are very diffective [sic] the Tenant being under no restraint whatever as to and the mode of computing the difficiency [sic] on homes & dykes is merely nominal, consequently a Tenant at removal ploughs up every patch that can be tilled, and is entitled to carry away the Whole Crop; and from the triffling [sic] difficiency [sic] he as to pay, leaves the buildings in bad repair, to the great disadvantage of an incoming Tenant'. TWO: Duncan Campbell ('Dun Campbell') to Breadalbane. Rockhill; 3 June 1821. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with three postmarks and red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf, which is docketted 'About Easdale Quarries'. Discussing Breadalbane's quarries and the 'demand of Slates for the Scotch market'. 'When lately in Lorn I learned that some of the State quarries were nearly exhausted, and the manager wished to know if new ones were to be opened. I mentioned to him that I did not think it would be your Lordship's pleasure, in the mean time to incur any great expense in opening new quarries, as there are a considerable quantity of Slates on hand at the Works, and that the quarries already opened would yield more Slates than there was any prospect would be in demand this year'. Reference to 'Mr. Alexander McCalman the new Easdale Surgeon'. THREE: Duncan Campbell ('Dun. Campbell') to Breadalbane. End of letter only. 2pp., 4to. Place and date not stated; postmark of 5 December 1822. On bifolium. Addressed, with two postmarks and red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf. Discusses the sale of 'the farm at Ardvrechnish' and the 'Collection of arrears in N[ether] Lorn'. FOUR: Duncan Campbell ('Dun. Campbell') to Breadalbane. Rockhills [sic]; November 1822. 2pp., 4to, with transcription of letter from ' Fraser' on third page. Addressed, with postmark and red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf. Damp staining at foot. 'I beg leave to enclose under this and a seperate [sic] cover a list of arrears [not present] as they stand at this date amounting to the f. 7. 11 a considerable part of which I trust will be got collected betwixt and Christmas'. References to the 'Market for Cattle', Doune Market. FIVE: Duncan Campbell ('Dun. Campbell') to Breadalbane. Rockhill; 3 January 1829. 2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with two postmarks and red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf, which is docketted 'Bank of Scotland Glasgow Balance 8886. 10'. Discussing Breadalbane's financial affairs, including 'the Argyllshire rents' and 'John Fergusons letter'. SIX: John Campbell to Breadalbane. Edinburgh; 29 February 1812. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium. Regarding 'the County Matters' [a by election?], he has 'had conversation wh. Coll who with other friends are anxious to have your Lord. determination and now seem to doubt that you are to support Balgn. [...] his Friends announce him as a Candidate while Sir P. Murray only says that this for the present moment must depend on the support he is likely to meet'. In a postscript he states that he 'again asked Sir D. B. to keep himself disengaged'. SEVEN: 'E Campbell' to Breadalbane. No place (postmark of Wimpole St, London); 13 October 1803. 2pp., 4to. Bifolium. Addressed, with four postmarks and red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf. Begins: 'My dear Lord Breadalbane I do not think you deserve a letter from me but still I shall write'. Mostly giving news from the continent, where 'there is a great deal of sickness among ye French particularly'. Reference to 'Bonepart [sic]'. EIGHT: Robert McGillewie ('Rob McGillewie') to Breadalbane. Killin; 7 April 1818. 2pp., 4to. Addressed, with two postmarks and red wax seal, on reverse of second leaf. 'I came here last night with the view of collecting the rents, but my success hitherto has been very poor indeed - instead of paying, the tenants apply in Crowds for Seed Corn, declaring that unless they get Seed they cannot Sow their farms; in these circumstances I use the freedom to lay their situation once more before your Lordship, and beg you will be pleased to give directions regarding their applications with as little delay as possible that they may go on with their labours as soon as the weather permits'. He describes the bad weather, and the damage it has done to 'the Woods of Crannick'. NINE: William Stewart to Breadalbane. Ardvorlich; 12 July 1833. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium. Difficult shaky hand. Aparently concerning a dispute over grazing rights and 'the Tenants of Lawers', with references to 'my late worthy ffriend the General'.