Mother's Intervention

An Historical Account of the Settlements of Scotch Highlanders in America, by J. P. MacLean:

The method of warfare carried on by Sir John Johnson and his adherents did not sway the lofty mind of Washington, as may be illustrated in the following narration furnished the author by Rev. Dr. R. Cameron, grandson of Alexander Cameron, who was a direct descendant of Donald Dubh of Lochiel. This Alexander Cameron came to America in 1773, and on the outbreak of the Revolution enlisted as a private under Sir John Johnson. Three times he was taken prisoner and condemned to be executed as a spy. How he escaped the first time is unknown. The second time, the wife of the presiding officer at the court-martial, informed him in Gaelic that he would be condemned, and assisted him in dressing him in her own clothes, and thus escaped to the woods. The third time, his mother, Mary Cameron of Glennevis, rode all the way from Albany to Valley Forge on horseback and personally plead her cause before Washington. Having listened to her patiently, the mighty chief replied: "Mrs. Cameron, I will pardon your son for your sake, but you must promise me that you will take him to Canada at once, or he will be shot." The whole family left for Canada. [Source]

Tavernkeeper Obtained Evidence Given To Duncan Cameron, Commissioner

Upper Canada Sundries : C-4508:

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"The information of Osborn Cox, of the town of York, Innkeeper, taken before us Thomas Rideout, Wm. Allan, Duncan Cameron, and Alex. Wood, commissioners....Tapley...the stranger, meaning Jacob Frazer..that he, Tapley, was in country as an American spy, and wanted to get away that night...".  [Signature of D. (Duncan) Cameron]


Taverns and Tavern-goers in Upper Canada, the 1790s to the 1850s :

"Conversations between barroom companions preserved in scattered documents, and the political activities they engaged in at the public houses both suggest that people enjoyed considerable freedom of expression there. Exchanges between barroom companions during the War of 1812 provide one example. Some expressed pro-American sentiments quite freely."

"Tavernkeeper Osborne Cox for instance, cooperated with one of his lodgers, artificer William Tepley, to obtain evidence against Jacob Frazer who had come in for a drink and raid their suspicions that he participated in organized support of the American cause."