terate enemy; to remove which, as far as lies in my power, I have
thought it proper to publish this Manifesto, declaring that I shall
take the proper steps to prevent any injury being done, either to the
person or properties of His Majesty's subjects; and I do further
declare it to be my determined resolution, that no violence shall be
used to women and children, as viewing such outrages to be
inconsistent with humanity, and as tending, in their consequences, to
sully the arms of Britons and of Soldiers.

I, therefore, in His Majesty's name, generally invite every
well-wisher to that form of Government under which they have so
happily lived, and which, if justly considered, ought to be esteemed
the best birth-right of Britons and Americans, to repair to His
Majesty's Royal Standard, erected at Cross Creek, where they will
meet with every possible civility, and be ranked in the list of
friends and fellow-Soldiers, engaged in the best and most glorious of
all causes, supporting the rights and Constitution of their country.
Those, therefore, who have been under the unhappy necessity of
submitting to the mandates of Congress and Committees--those lawless,
usurped, and arbitrary tribunals--will have an opportunity, (by
joining the King's Army) to restore peace and tranquility to this
distracted land--to open again the glorious streams of commerce--to
partake of the blessings of inseparable from a regular administration
of justice, and be again reinstated in the favorable opinion of their
Sovereign.

Donald McDonald.
By His Excellency's command:
Kenn. McDonald, P.S."[47]

On February 5th General MacDonald issued another manifesto in which he
declares it to be his "intention that no violation whatever shall be
offered to women, children, or private property, to sully the arms of
Britons or freemen, employed in the glorious and righteous cause of
rescuing and delivering this country from the usurpation of rebellion,
and that no cruelty whatever be offered against the laws of humanity,
but what resistance shall make necessary; and that whatever provisions
and other necessaries be taken for the troops, shall be paid for
immediately; and in case any person, or persons, shall offer the least
violence to the families of such as will join the Royal Standard, such
persons or persons, may depend that retaliation will be made; the
horrors of such pro