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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Donald MacDonald to Richard Peters
MacDonald, Donald, b. 1712
September 06, 1776
Volume 15, Pages 764-765

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GEN. McDONALD TO “THE SECRETARY AT WAR.”


Philadelphia Gaol, 6th Sept., 1776.

General McDonald's Compliments to the Secretary at War. He is obliged to him for his polite information, that the Congress have been pleased to agree that Generals Prescot and McDonald shall be exchanged for the Generals Sullivan and Stirling.

General McDonald is obliged to Congress for the reference to the Board of War for his departure; the indulgence of eight or ten days will, he hopes, be sufficient to prepare him for his journey. His Baggage will require a cart to carry it. He is not provided with horses; submits it to the Congress and the Board of War how he may be conducted with safety to his place of destination, not doubting his servant will be permitted to go along with him, and that his sword may be returned to him, which he is informed the Commissary received from his servant on the 25th of May last.

General McDonald begs leave to acquaint the Secretary and the Board of War for the information of Congress, that when he was brought prisoner from sick quarters to General Moore's Camp at Moore's Creek upon the 28th of February last, General Moore treated him with great politeness and told him that he should be treated with respect to his rank and Commission in the King of Great Britain's service. He would have given him a Parole to return to his said quarters, as his state of health required it much at that time, but Colonel Caswell objected thereto and had him conducted prisoner to Newbern, but was genteely treated all the way by Colonel Caswell and his officers.

From Newbern he was conducted by a Guard of Horse to Halifax, and committed on his arrival, after 45 miles Journey the last day, in a sickly state of health, and immediately us[h]ered into a common Gaol, without bed or bedding, fire or candle, in a cold long night by Colonel Long, who did not appear to me to behave like a Gentleman. That notwithstanding the promised protection

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for person and property he had from General Moore, a man called Long Field Cox, a waggon-master to Colonel Caswell's Army, seized upon his horse, saddle, pistols and other arms and violently detained the same by refusing to deliver them up to Col. Bryan, who conducted him to Newbern. Colonel Long was pleased to detain his mare at Halifax when sent a prisoner from thence to here. Sorry to dwell so long upon so disagreeable subject.


Philadelphia Gaol,
September 6th, 1776.

[INDORSEMENT.]

Letter from Genl. McDonald read 7th September, 1776:

Resolved, That General McDonald be allowed four days to prepare for his journey, and that that part of his letter respecting his treatment in North Carolina be sent to the Convention of that State.