30 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
the Shawnees for their barbarity in murdering and pillaging the settlers. 
His counsel was, however, over-ruled and the expedition returned. 
Governor Dinwiddie was greatly chagrined at its failure. 
Alexander Withers, in his “Border Warfare,” says:—“A journal 
of this campaign was kept by Lieut. McNutt, a gentleman of liberal 
education and fine mind, and on his return to Williamsburg he presented 
it to the Governor of Virginia, by whom it was placed in the Executive 
archives.” The following year Major Lewis happened at the seat of 
government and was asked by a friend what he thought of McNutt’s 
critique on his expedition against the Shawnees. He replied that he 
had never heard of it. Being informed where it was he acquainted 
himself with its contents, and thereafter, on his first meeting with 
McNutt on the streets of Staunton, a regular “knock down and wal- 
lowing in the mire” ensued. In this encounter it is to be presumed 
that Major Lewis, from his prowess and great strength, eventually got 
the better of his antagonist. 
Alexander MeNutt continued to enjoy the favor of Governor Din- 
widdie. He had the art of pleasing his superiors and in later years was 
as successful in gaining the favor of Governor Lawrence and the Lords 
of Trade and Plantations as he had been in obtaining the good will of 
the Governor of Virginia. He arrived in America at an eventful 
period. Despite the French and Indian wars that prevailed, it was a 
time of rapid development in the colonies. The tide of immigration 
had already set in, and from England, Scotland and Ireland young 
and adventurous spirits crossed the seas to seek their fortune. Many 
of McNutt’s compatriots of the north of Ireland came to Londonderry 
in New Hampshire and other parts of New England, and he seems to 
have kept in touch with them. It is altogether probable that his first 
visit to England, in which he bore letters testimonial from Governor 
Dinwiddie, was with the design of promoting the development of the 
colonies in America. He delighted in the promotion of great schemes, 
and while in his lifetime he accomplished much, it is but fair to add that 
his ultimate achievements were insignificant compared with his plans, 
perhaps we should say, his dreams. He was rather impatient of control 
and, while his cheerful optimism was contagious, his schemes were not 
always well considered and the results in several instances proved dis- 
appointing. But of all this more anon. 
Before he entered upon his pathway as a colonizer McNutt found 
scope for his energies in the stirring events that attended the struggle 
between England and France in America. The situation was one that 
appealed to his adventurous disposition and for a time the spirit of 
military enterprise dominated his career. Naturally a free lance, he 
