Morris: Letter-Book of Capt. Alexander McDonald 85 



who are Sent home with the dispatches — I hope the Neck of the 

 RebelHon is broke — Now Government will only have to Settle & 

 punish the Americans, for believe me Who knows this People, 

 Lenity wall Never make them good Subjects." 



Writing to Governor Tryon, November 26, 1776, Captain Mc- 

 Donald remarks : 



" The Next thing I think Myself Entitled to is a Reparation for 

 the damage my Farm on Statten Island Suffered, & I think a 

 patent for Justice Muchero's Farm is as little as I could Expect 

 As it must certainly be Confiscated, he being the Most infamous 

 & Notorious Rebel in all the Country — & if it is a thing can be 

 done consistently with Law and Equity, I should be Glad to have 

 a Patent or at least a long exclusive Lease that no Person could 

 keep a ferry Any Where over the Kill van Koul from Elizabeth 

 Town Point to Ryerson's Farm at the Mouth of the Kills opposite 

 to New York — I am Certain this would be Much More Advan- 

 tageous & for the Good of the Publick As the House which I 

 intended to lett as a Tavern is exactly on the Road leading to the 

 Blazing Star [Rossville] from Paul's Hook, the Most Con- 

 veniently Situated for the ferry & it is one Of the Most elegant 

 houses for a Tavern in All the Country, & for My part I would 

 Allways take Care to keep a clever man in the house Under- 

 standing his Business, & that would keep the best things in his 

 way. Whereas a number of pimping houses being kept all Allong 

 that tract afford No Sort of Comfortable Entertainment to Man 

 or Horse." 



[The "Muchero" farm is the present location of Port Rich- 

 mond. The residence of Judge Mersereau is the old Continental 

 Hotel, which Avas erected immediately after the close of the 

 Revolution.] 



In a letter to Captain McKenzie, written at Halifax November 

 26, 1776, Captain McDonald mentioned a matter still of public 

 interest : 



" One thing more I beg Leave to Mention to You which by 

 the bye I am Affraid will Appear foolish or ridiculous, but still 



