Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-08-10
FLORA MCDONALD.

fLOAA MCDONALD.
More than twenty years ago I spent
an evening with lady in Fayetteville,
n. C.--the oldest inhabitant of that
region who was brought from Scotland
while she was yet an infant. She we'll
remembered Flora Mcdonald, and
said, AS you pass from the Court
house to the market building in the
morning, you may see on the left near
the creek, the ruins of her house
which was swept away by fire that
destroyed greater part of our town,
more than twenty years ago" She
then stepped to small chest Of draw
ers, and taking out dingy paper and
handing it to me said: There is the
writing of Madame Mcdonald; every
body loved and respected her. My
mother was then a maiden and this
letter was sent to her by Flora from
her new home in the Barbecue con
gregation up in Cumberland county"
| read as follow:
4" February /, 1776.
Dear Maggie: Allan leaves to-
morrow to join Donald's standard at
Gross Creek, and / shall be alone wi
my three BARNS. Gamma We come and
stay wi me awhile? There are troub-
lous times ahead | ween. God will
keep the right. l hope all our ain are
in the right, prays your good friend,
FLORY MCDONALD"
Flora Mcdonald (who always wrote
her name "Flory'O filled a conspicuous
place in the worlds history at about
the middle of the last century, for il
was she who chiefly assisted the escape
from Scotland to France of Prince
Charles Edward, grandson of James
the Second of England, who unsuccess-
fully attempted to regain the throne
from which his grandfather had been
driven nearly sixty years before.
The Young Pretender, as he was
called, had landed in Scotland, drawn
hosts of adherents around him, and
fought battles with the English but
he was finally beaten his followers
were dispersed, and he was, for five
months, Il fugitive hunted from noun.
tain to glen, from crag to cavern
among the Highlands, and at length
found hiding place in the of Uist, one
of the Hebrides, and friend in Laird
Mcdonald. To his house came Flora
in June, 1746, beautiful aud roman.
tic girl fresh from school at Edinburg
to visit her relations. The,island wa,
swarming with soldiers in search Of
the Prince, at the head of whom was
Flors's step-fathcr. The fugitive
could not much longer elude Them
Lady Mcdonald had conceived plan
for his escape but found no one will.
ing to brave the consequences. VIII
you undertake TO assist the Prince 2?
she asked Flora. L will" was tn,
prompt reply, and she was Joined il
the perilous enterprise BY a youn,
kinsman, Neill Mcdonald. Flora OBJ
tanned from her step-father a passpor
from the island, with Neill and th.co
others as boats crew, and Betsey
Burke, stQut Irish woman whom sh,
pretended she had engaged as seam.
stress Tor her mother in the Isle O.
skye.
BetSey Burke was the Prince in dis
guisc, and on n bright afternoon the
little party embarked from Uist. A
terrific storm burst upon them tina
night, but they reached Skye in safet,
the next morning. Confronted b,
soldiers on shore, they rowed east
ward and landed near the house of Sil
Alexander Mcdonald. Leaving tn,
Prince concealed among tho rocks
| Flora told her secret to Lady MELON
aid, who sent trusty guard with then
to the Laird of Kingsburg man,
miles distant, who was alsoa Melon.
aid, aud by whom they were entertain
ed for the night. On the following
morning, Flora accompanied the Prime,
to Potcroc. She mad conducted him
in the character of her servant through
crowds of soldiers and people whC
, were seeking him, and now she bad
; him adicu and left him to make hi
way to France. He kissed her ant
said, Gentle, faithful, maiden, en-
tortain the hope that we shall yet NEE
: in the royal palace" They never me
again. Neill Mcdonald accompanied
the Prince to France, married there
aud long years aflerward his son be
came Napoleon the First's celebrate,
, Marshal Mcdonald.
Floras completely in the escape o
the Prince became known, and sh
/ was taken to London with McDonal,
of Kingsburgh and others, and cas-
into the Tower as prisoner of State
Her romantic story touched the hes
hearts in England, and the warmes
sympathy was awakened in her behalf
The nobility of the kingdom becam
. deeply interested in her fate. Sh
was not a partisan of the Prctendei
neither was she of his religious faith
/ She had simply followed the benovo
lent instincts of woman's heart i
, helping the distressed and iOrlOrr
When George the Second asked he
stcrply, How could you dare to sue
cor the enemy of my crown and king
p dom ?" she swoctly replied, at was n
more than would have done for you
majesty had you been in his place.
She was pardoned and released, wit
her kindred, and become an object q
great attraction in London. He
house was crowded with noble visitor
s who congratulated her upon her re
lease, and poured money into her lal
A chaisc aud four horses were provid
ed to convey her back to Scotland
aud so the fair young girl who went I
p London 10 be hanged, returned j
state, followed by the blessings {
|. thousands
- Four years after her release, Flor
married Allan Mcdonald the sou ofti
Laird Of kmg,hurrh, and not Ion
.9tlgrw'r.l -hr h"c'm' thy wl.rc--