The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-02-13

Sc0lcH tories on Tie cape Fear could DE
mustered into the British service to the num-
Der of 4 or 5000 men;--that those men, snp-
ported by the troops under the command Of
Sir Henry Clinton, could traycrses the State
and form junction with the troops under
Lord Dunmore in Virginia, who had rallied
under his standard all who were loyal to the
king-all who were inimcal to independence,
and likewise all the runaway slaves who
could be induced TO abandon their masters.
It was supposed that this army could co,ope.
rate with and be sustained by the North
western wing Of the British army and Indians
from Detroit, and by their numbers could
compel the South to surrender. But if un-
successful in this, Gen. Washington would
rush to the relief Of the Southern States, and
leave Gen. Howe in possession Of Boston,
from which point he could crush rebellion in
the Northern States.
i II was at this crisis in the destiny Of the
Colonies that the battle Of Moare's Creek
was fought,-a battle which disconnected the
entire plan Of the southern campaign, and
compelled Gov. Martin and Sir Henry Cln-
ton to abandon North Carolina battle
which broke the spirits Of the Regulators and
Tories, and quenched the fame Of a seryile
and Indian war. and prevented the embarka-
ton of the Scotch Loyaists from the Cape
Fear TO Boston, whittier they were bound, 10
| relieve Gen. Howe from state Of siege, orto
be BY him forwarded to Canada, to expel the
Americans and reiake that Province.
am aware that to nearly all your readers,
| am stating something new. But will en-
deayor to convince them that so grossly had
Gov. Martin deceived the Government Of
Great Britain relative 10 public sentiment in
favor Of Independence ia North Carolina,
that the government not only believed the
State would fall az easy prey to British
prOwess, and secure highway over which
they could safely march to subject other
States to submission, but, in addition thereto,
that Scotch Highlanders could be enlisted
and mustered into the Royal Highland Emi.
grant Regiment" and sent TO nip rebellion IN
the bud in the Northern States.
Tie first evidence offered in support oi the
proposition is, Browns History Of the High
land ans, the 4th vol. Of which is devoted
to minute history Of all the Highland Regi-
ments nhn have been mustered into the
British service.
In that work we are informed, that after
BEasatdabsstts eaafSffFata ael On the conclusion Of
termination Of the seven years war. the Of
ficers and men ID the 42d, London, Frazer,
and Montgomery Highland regiments, had
extended TO them, a choice TO return to
| Europe, or remain in the Colonies and re-
ceiye a grant Of land, subject te be called
/ into active service at the pleasure Of The
King. Amongst the number who remained
| in the Colonies were Donald Mcdonald and
| Alexander McLeDd--the former Of whom was
Lieutenant in the London Highland regi-
ment in l745, and the latter was Lieuten-
ant in the Frazer Highland regiment IN 49,.
The same author says, "when the war Of the
American revolution brake out, upaarls of
three hundred Of those men who haa remaiii-
ed in the country enlisted IN the Slth regi-
ment in IT'S, and formed two fine battllions.
embodied under the name Of the . ROYAL
Highland Emigrant"
Ait another place lie avs, The Royal
Highland Emigrant Regiment, or s4th-two
, battalions -embndied il LIS. Regimented
lin l--s. The first Battalion was 70 be raised
, from the Highland Emigrants in Canada and
the dieharged men of the I'D, Of Frazcr's and
, Montgomery's llighlanders who have settled
in North America alter the peace Of l165.
Great difficulty was experience
!; ed in conveying the recruits who had been
raised In the back settlements TO their respec-
) tive destinations. detachment from Caro-
lima was obliged TO relinqnish an attempt 10
| cross bridge defended BY cannon, in which
! Captain Mcleod, its Commander, aud num-
!. Der 81 Tie men we're killed."
i In Gov Swain's Lecture on the British
/ invasion iii It's, he says -
"ToNard. /" tie close uf the year lis, as
i We learn from tile account Of the proceedings
Of the American Colnnists in tie Gentlcman's 5
) Magazine Tor June lie, twn Scotch officers,
] Messrs. Mcdonald and Mcleod, passed
{ through Ncwbrln. They were suspected Of
] some sinister designs, and questioned by the
!, prosincials concerning their business. They
], pretended they were officers WIN were woun
i ded Ut Bankers Hill. and had left the army
{ with design To settle amongst their friends.
i And III letter from Brigadier Genera
{ James Moore 10 Brigader General Melon.
Z aid, dated "Camp at Rockfsh. February 90
: l576," seven days before the battle Of MOorr
Creek, he SAYS,
! ~ cannot conclude without reminding
!. you, Sir, nf the oath which you aud some 81
i YOUR officers took At Newbern, on your arr
{ val ~ this country, which | imagine you v q
0 find difficult 10 reconcile to your pres 4.
!. conduct"
\ III reply Gen. Mcdonald SAYS, the :
il Emigrauts are under more obligation II
+ King and rroMn, than 10 any uthcr powt
J; and denies that they are either deluted 0,
e ungratslal people.
o Ii The proceedings or the Committee oI
i, Safety for the Town Of Wilmington, on biz
: 5th October l715, fud that several vessels
& outward bound, fingered al the mouth of Cape
d Fear, in consequence Of which tie Commit
j tee
Resolved, That every vessel now In the
D River Cape Fear. loadell and cleared out q.