The value of the "Interviews" in illuminating historical description is well shown by comparing the account of "Mosier's Fight" given by Judge Tompkins on pp. 61-62 and the description of the same affair prepared by Otto Hufeland, pp. 65-72. If as Emerson says there is no history, only bio-graphy, then the preservation of the reminiscences of the various participants in the Revolution is invaluable source material. It must be conceded that the Hufeland description of Mosier's defense is far superior to any other account of that event previously available, and the Macdonald "Interviews" are credited as the source of the enlightening information. In making a critical study of the Macdonald materials it is difficult to understand why George H. Moore made no refer-ence to the field work or "Interviews" in the resolutions spread upon the minutes of the New York Historical Society in 1863. Data in the Hufeland Westchesteriana show that in 96 THE McDONALD PAPERS

1868 Robert Bolton was revising his History of the County of Westchester first published in 1848. Bolton made use of the testimony secured by Macdonald in numerous instances and in each case stated that the manuscripts were in possession of George H. Moore, Librarian of the New York Historical Society. The explanation probably is that the manuscripts of the "Interviews" came into Moore's hands after Macdonald's death in 1863. Two wills were executed by John M. Mac-donald. The first was in 1858 which bequeathed his effects to his brother Allan. After the latter's death in 1862, another will was executed in that year leaving the effects to the children of his brother James. It would appear, therefore, that some-time between 1863 and 1868 the manuscripts were entrusted to Moore, for if he had known them as he did the "Papers" he would have undoubtedly referred to them at length in the Resolutions spread upon the Minutes of the New York Histori-cal Society.