He continued to hold this office until October 1, 1834, when he resigned (it is stated) in consequence of ill health. In the autumn of 1835, at the age of 45, Judge Macdonald was prostrated by a severe paralytic attack from the effects of which he never recovered. But he failed not, nor faltered in spirit. His work, after such a stroke of disease as would have discouraged and de-stroyed most men, has been such as would do honor to one who should accomplish it with all the advantages of health and physical ability. He devoted his attention chiefly to our Revolutionary History, and especially that of his native County of West-chester, whose hills and vallies and roads and byways he has made familiar by his writings in all the beauty, sympathy and pride of local association. Much of what he has written has been presented from time

1 Dr. Macdonald was surgeon in the 84th Royal Highland Regiment. 80 THE McDONALD PAPERS

to time to the consideration of this Society, of which he was an honored member:--

The following is a list of this series of papers:

1. "The Life and Character of the Marquis de la Rouërie (Col. Armand) including an account of his services during the American Revolutionary War." Read May 6th, 1851.

2. On the Lives, Exploits and Characters of Cornelius Oakley, John Odell, and Abraham Dyckman, the three principal American Guides for the Neutral Ground during the Revolutionary War"--Read May 4th, 1852. This paper, as subsequently revised was read a second time at a meeting of November 3rd, 1863, just before the death of the writer.