[461] John William O’Sullivan; b. in Co. Kerry, 1700; educated in France and Rome for the priesthood, and, it is said (Fielding’s True Patriot), took orders. Entered the family of Maréchal de Maillebois as tutor, afterwards secretary. Joined the French army and served under Maillebois in Corsica; afterwards in Italy and on the Rhine. Recommended to D’Argenson as an officer ‘who understood the irregular art of war better than any other man in Europe, nor was his knowledge in the regular much inferior to that of the best general living.’ Entered the household of Prince Charles about 1744; accompanied him to Scotland and acted as adjutant-general, as well as private adviser, during the campaign. Was with the Prince in his wanderings until 20th June. Escaped to France in a French cutter. Knighted by the Chevalier about Christmas 1746, and created by him a baronet of Ireland 1753. Date of death not ascertained.
[462] Donald Macleod of Gualtergil, on Dunvegan Loch, Skye, the faithful ‘Palinurus’ of Prince Charles from 21st April to 20th June. He was captured in Benbecula in July, and taken to London in Ferguson’s ship; released June ’47; died at Gualtergil in May ’49, aged 72. His wife was a sister of Macdonald of Borradale and a first cousin of Flora Macdonald.
[463] It seems absurd to write of seizing the boat and stealing away. In addition to the Prince’s five attendants, O’Sullivan, O’Neil, Allan Macdonald, Ned Bourke, and Donald Macleod, there was a crew of seven boatmen, probably the servants of Borradale who must have known. It is true, however, that the Prince’s intended departure was concealed from most of the Jacobite officers assembled in Arisaig.
[464] Neil is right as to the day of the week, but wrong as to the day of the month. It should be Sunday, 27th April. See Itinerary.
[465] Rev. John Macaulay, son of the Rev. Aulay Macaulay, minister of Harris, was ordained parish minister of South Uist in May 1745. He was subsequently minister of Lismore and Appin 1755; Inverary 1765, and finally of Cardross 1775. He died 1789. At Inveraray he had a good deal of intercourse with Dr. Johnson in 1773, duly recorded by Boswell in the Tour to the Hebrides. John Macaulay was the father of Zachary Macaulay, and grandfather of Lord Macaulay.
[466] i.e. Neil MacEachain.
[467] Rev. Aulay Macaulay, formerly of Tyree; appointed to Harris 1712; died 1758; aged about eighty-five.
[468] Rev. Colin Mackenzie was not minister of Stornoway but of Lochs, the parish to the south of Stornoway.
[469] Should be 30th April.
[470] Donald Campbell was the brother-in-law of Hugh Macdonald of Baleshare and of Donald Roy Macdonald, the former of whom is mentioned later on; the latter, though of the family of Sleat, had served in Glengarry’s regiment. Donald Roy took over charge of the Prince when he said farewell to Flora Macdonald at Portree in Skye. (L. in M., ii. 21.) An anecdote of Campbell’s fidelity to the Prince when he protected him against a party headed by Aulay Macaulay the minister is given in the Itinerary. Neil MacEachain does not love Donald Campbell, but Ned Bourke, who was one of the party, calls him ‘one of the best, honestest fellows that ever drew breath.’ (L. in M., i. 191.)