orn people
when threatened with invasion, a resolute energy against Burgoyne was
roused in the New England States."--_Ib._, p. 261.]

[Footnote 81: "Carleton from the first abhorred the measure of employing
the Indians, which he was yet constrained to promote." (Bancroft, Vol.
VII., p. 119.)]

[Footnote 82: Quoted in Lord Mahon's History, Vol. VII., Chap. lvi., p.
259. After quoting this letter, Lord Mahon adds:

"It is due to Burgoyne to state, that from the first he had made most
strenuous exertions, both by word and deed, to prevent any such
enormities. The testimony, for example, of his aide-de-camp, Lord
Petersham, when examined before the House of Commons, is clear and
precise upon that point. (See Burgoyne's Narrative and Collection of
Documents, pp. 65, 66, second edition.) But in spite of all restraints,
the cruel temper and lawless habits of these savages would sometimes
burst forth--sometimes not more fatally to their enemies than to their
friends. The tragical fate of Miss MacRea raised one loud cry of
indignation on both sides of the Atlantic. This lady, in the bloom of
youth and beauty, the daughter of an American Loyalist, was betrothed to
an officer in the British provincial troops. Anxious for her security,
the officer engaged some Indians to escort her from her home and convey
her to the British camp, where the marriage would be solemnized. As a
further precaution, he promised to reward the person who should bring
her safe to him with a barrel of rum. But this very precaution, as it
seemed to be, was the cause of the disaster which ensued. Two of the
Indians who took charge of her began a quarrel on the way, as to which
of them should first present her to the bridegroom. Each was eager for
the rum; each resolute that his companion should not receive it in his
place. At last one of them in sudden fury raised his tomahawk, struck
Miss MacRea upon the head, and laid her a corpse at his feet. General
Burgoyne at this news displayed his utmost resentment and concern. He
compelled the Indians to deliver up the murderer, and designed to put
him to death. He was only induced to spare his life upon the Indians
agreeing to terms which the General thought would be more effectual than
any execution, in deterring them from similar barbarities. Deterred,
indeed, they were. But when they found themselves precluded from their
expected delights of plundering and scalping, they began to desert and
go home. Of nearly