he government determined to send them out of
the colony and place them under the care of Sir William Johnson, in New
York, as the Indians had expressed their desire to be no longer detained
from their families.[198] On January 4, 1764, the Moravian Indians
numbering about one hundred and forty persons,[199] were placed under
the convoy of Captain James Robertson, of Montgomery's Highlanders, and
seventy Highlanders, for New York City. The Highlanders "behaved at
first very wild and unfriendly, being particularly troublesome to the
young women by their profane conversation, but were persuaded by degrees
to conduct themselves with more order and decency." On arriving at
Amboy, one of the soldiers exclaimed: "Would to God, all the white
people were as good Christians, as these Indians."

The Indians were not allowed to enter New York, but were returned to
Philadelphia under a guard of one hundred and seventy men from General
Gage's army, commanded by Captain Schloffer, one party leading the van,
and the other bringing up the rear. Captain Robertson and his
Highlanders passed over to New York.[200]

NOTE M.

HIGHLANDERS REFUSED LANDS IN AMERICA.

"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council,

The Humble Petition of James Macdonald, Merchant in Porterie in the Isle
of Sky and Normand Macdonald of Slate in the said Island for themselves
and on behalf of Hugh Macdonald Edmund Macqueen John Betton and
Alexander Macqueen of Slate. The Reverend Mr. William Macqueen and
Alexander Macdonald of the said Island of Sky and county of Inverness

Most Humbly Sheweth

That your petitioners having had in view to form a settlement to
themselves and Families in your Majesty's Province in North Carolina
have for some time been making Dispositions for that purpose by engaging
Servants and disposing of their effects in this country.

And being now ready to embark and carry their intentions into Execution.

They most humbly pray your Majesty will be graciously pleased to Grant
unto your petitioners Forty thousand Acres of Land in the said province
of North Carolina upon the Terms and Conditions it has been usual to
give such Grants or as to your Majesty shall seem proper,

"And your petitioners shall ever pray,
Jas Macdonald,
Normand Macdonald."[201]

"To the Right Honble the Lords of the Committee of his Majesty's most
Honble Privy Council for Plantation Affairs.
Whitehall 21st of June 1771.

My Lor