Angus McDonald Brought before the Congress

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Mr˙ McDougall returned into Congress, and reported that Angus Mc Donald, who had been armed and made resistance when called on by him, was in custody of a Sergeant' s Guard; and a Letter found in his custody from him to Alexander Mc Donald, was read.

The said Angus Mc Donald being brought before the Congress and examined, confessed that he had taken the names of upwards of forty men who had promised to enlist in a battalion, to wear Highland dress; and also confessed sundry other matters, of which short notes are taken and filed.

And the said Angus Mc Donald having: consented voluntarily to make oath to the substance of the information by him given to this Congress, his affidavit was drawn, and to which he subscribed and was duly sworn, and which is in the words following, to wit:

"City of NEW-YORK, ss. — Angus Mc Donald, of this City, being duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith: That some time last fall this deponent was at the Town of Boston, and had a conversation with Major John Small upon the subject of raising a Regiment in America, to serve against the inhabitants of America in the present contest. That the plan laid for that purpose was, that such officers as are now on half pay in the several Colonies should be promoted in consequence of enlisting such persons as had formerly served as soldiers in this Country. That Major Small informed this deponent that the deponent should be taken notice of, and promoted, if the scheme should take place, and mentioned to this deponent the being sutler to the regiment so raised. That this deponent then told him that he was not possessed of sufficient property to engage in that business, and therefore could not accept of that; whereupon the said Major told this deponent that he (deponent) should be taken notice of if called upon; and this deponent further saith, that in consequence of the plan so laid, a number of men have engaged themselves in the service; but that they have not yet received any bounty money for their enlistment. And this deponent further saith, that he verily believes many half-pay officers are acquainted with the aforesaid plan. That the said plan cannot take place without orders, from home; and this deponent believes that no such orders will be obtained. That Captain Alexander Mc Donald is also concerned in the said scheme, and hath corresponded with Major Small on that subject. That this deponent hath seen and read one of the said Major Small' s letters to the said Alexander McDonald, which letter came by the Asia, man-of-war. That

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"ANGUS Mc DONALD.

"Sworn this 14th of June, 1775, before me:

"JOHN MC KESSON, Notary Publick."