San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-08-18
FLORA MACDONALD IN NORTH
CAROLINA.
By BENSON J. TOSSING

When the young frince Cnaries
Edward, grandson Of James H., King
of Great Britain, landed in Scotland,
in 1745, and claimed his right to the
throne from which his grandfather
had been driven, thousands Of Scotch
men, regarding him rs their lawful
sovereign, joined him in fighting fol
the British crown. He fought, was
defeated, and became q hiding fugi
tive on the island Of Uist one of the
Hebrides, off the west coast OF Scot
land, and was assisted in making his
escape to France by Flora Macdon-
ald,, q beautiful, patriotic and roman
tic Scotch girl, just from school in
Edinburgh, come to visit her kins
man, Laird Macdonald, the chief oi
Uist.
Laird and Lady Macdonald wert
friends of the Prince, and were try
ing to hide him from the searching
eyes of the British soldiers, who
swarmed on the island in quest o.
him. They could not shield him
much longer. Lady Macdonald con
ceived plan for the Princes es
cape, but found no man willing t.
undertake the perilous enterprise
Her young kinswoman, Flora, spoke
scornf,llly of the timidity that held
back her countrymen from such
patriotic and benevolent task.
"Will you undertake it, Flora!'
asked Lady Macdonald, perceiving
the young lady's zeal and patriot
ism.
"Indeed will, quickly responded
Flora.
Preparations were quickly made fol
the romantic enterprise. Neil Mac
donald, a young kinsman of Flora
volunteered to accompany her. She
obtained passport to leave the
island with Neil and three others at
a boats crew, and Betsey Burke, 9
stout Irish woman, whom Flora pre-
tended she had engaged as u seam
stress for her mother in the Isle OF
Syke.
Flora and her little party left Uis'
on o pleasant afternoon. Betsey
Burke was the Prince in disguise
That night they weathered terrific
storm, and reached Skye in safety in
the morning. At the intended land
ing-place they were confronted by
soldiers, when, turning quickly east
ward they escaped o volley Of bullets
sent after them, and landed near the
house of Sir Alexander Macdonald
Leaving the Prince concealed among
the rocks, Flora told her secret in the
willing ears of Lady Macdonald, who
furnished IN escort for the party, in.
Guiding stout Betsey Burke, to the
Laird Of Kingsbury (who was also 9
Macdonald). Flora had conducted
the young Prince as an Irish seam
stress through crowds of soldiers
and people who were searching for
him. The travellers tarried at the
house OF the Laird of Kingsbury that
night, and the next morning Prince
Charles Edward embarked for q sue
cessful voyage to France. As he was
about to leave he kissed his fair de-
iverer, and said,
"Gentle, faithful maiden, enter
tain the hope that we shall yet meet
in the royal palace"
The Prince and Flora never saw
each other again. Her young kins-
man, Neil Macdonald, accompanied
Prince Chares Elwaed to France,
married there, and his son, born four
years before Napoleon Bonaparte,
became that great military leaders
famous Marshal Macdonald, and
Duke of Tarentum.
The part that Flora had taken in
the escape of the Prince soon became
known, and she, with the laird Of
Kingsbury and other kindred, were
confined in the tower Of London as
prisoners of state, charged with the
crime of treason. Floras romantic
story. and her extreme youth and ra-
diant beauty, created almost universal
sympathy for her among every class
Of the English people. When
George H. asked her, sternly:
"How could you dare to succor an
enemy of my crown and kingdom 7"
She replied, with sweet simplicity:
at was no more than 1 would have
done for your majesty, had You been
in his place"
1T was 30 evident that Flora was
not a political partisan Of the "young
Pretender," as he was called (she was
not of his religious faith), and that
she had acted from the generous and
benevolent impulses of a womans
heart, that she and her kindred we're
pardoned and released. While she
remained in London she attracted
grea, attention, Crowds OF the no
bility AMI gentry Of both sexes visit
ed her, and bestowed upon her costly
presents; and the government sent
her home in a handsome chaise, ac-
companied ~ fellow-prisoner. Mt-
colin Mcleod, who sfterward said,
II went 10 London 10 be banged
and returned 10 Scotland in q chase
and four with Flora Macdonald
Flora afterward married Allan, son
Of the Laird Of Kingsbury. and be
came the mistress OF the manson
where Prince Charles EiwArd passed
his lAst night in Scotland June 20,
1876 There she and Der husband
entertained DR. johnson and Bos-