84 Staten Island Association of Arts and Sciences 



" In consequence I Sett off in the dead of Winter to the Mo- 

 hawk River, where a Number of the Name of Macdonald are 

 Settled with other Scotts Emigrants, two hundred of whom 

 Agreed to join me when called upon, with many Others I bespoke 

 as I traversed the Country — From the Mohawk River I directed 

 My Course for Boston thro' frost Snow & Ice, in the very worst 

 weather that was in the Winter, but arriving at Boston found 

 nothing could be done untill the Answer from G Brittain was 

 come to hand, therefore returned home to Staten Island. In 

 this Circuit of About Six or Seven hundred Miles I found the 

 Spirit of Rebellion & treason blazing everywhere — The People 

 constantly exercising themselves to Arms, Liberty Poles erected 

 Allmost at every Mile end, but at same time I Met with Many 

 Attached to Government, tho but few in the Comparison." 



Writing at Halifax to Major Small, on July 26, 1776, Captain 

 McDonald tells of commanding a force going out to meet the 

 Lieutenant-Governor at Covegate. "When I return," he says, 

 " I Expect to find a Letter from Major Small upon my table 

 giving An account of the Most Agreeable News, of General How 

 and his Army, Succeeding in all his Undertakings, and next to 

 that, that my wife and Children are well, and Relieved from 

 their distresses and troubles [on Staten Island.] ... I wish you 

 may get our winter Quarters for the Whole Regt. to be in Can- 

 toonments on Staten Island. 



" P. S. I almost forgot to tell you, that the Devil had almost 

 entered Into Some of our Young fellows for getting wives, it was 

 with the Uttmost difficulty I saved Lt. Laughlin McLean from 

 destruction, that is to say, from being Married to a girl who had 

 not a sixpence on Earth, its true she is so very handsome that I 

 Could kiss her myself if I was not A married man, however I 

 overset that match for the present." 



In a letter to Colonel McLean, Captain McDonald takes occa- 

 sion to say : " In regard to publick News, the Army is, thank 

 God, going on As we could wish — I refer you to the publick 

 Papers & for particulars to General Howe's two Aids de Camp, 



