416 Journal and Correspondence

cated as to others, and as he appears to have some influence
among the Common people, the Committee thought it their
duty to order him into Custody, and to be kept safe till your
further directions can be obtained, If you chuse that he should
be sent down to you, please to direct in what manner, and by
whom to be guarded down, and at whose expence, as the
Commanding officer here apprehends he has no Authority to
act in the matter further then to guard him till your answer
can be received: We are Gent^l Your most Humble Servt^s

And. Buchanan V. C.
Thomas Harrison Jn^o Merryman Jun^r
Ja^s Calhoun John Cockey
Will^m Aisquith Jn^o Boyd.

Sentiments, opinions & assertions of Alexander Magee
abstracted from a short conversation on Monday the 29^th of
April 1776 present Doct^r W^m Lyon, M^r Robert Lyon &
myself, viz^t

That Enroling and mustering was taking up arms against
the King.

That it was flying in the face of & destroying the Con-
stitution.

That it was perjury to such as had ever taken the oath of
Allegiance

That the King and Parliament had a right to Reclaim the
American Charters as forfeited :

That the American opposition to great Britain is not calcu-
lated or designed for the defence of American Liberty or
Property, but for the purpose of enslaving the Poor People
thereof:

That Americans were wrong in disputing the matter with
Great Britain so far as an appeal to arms for which they had
neither Officers, Men nor discipline.

That it was owing to the Lenity & forbearance of Great
Britain why she had not convinced us of our Error ere now,
two years being hardly sufficient to rouse her to a War with
France or Spain much less with her own Subjects, but that
after the great slaughter we should suffer the ensuing Cam-
paign those who survived would think better of it:

That he (Magee) would join the Kings troops if he had an
opportunity.

That signing a paper did not alter the heart & he knew
there was thousands among us who had enroled that was still
of his way of thinking :

That he would never pay any fine as a non enroler & would
shoot any person who should attempt to execute his effects
for that purpose Test. W^m Buchanan