When the interviews came to Mr. Hufeland the package was marked "McDonald Papers." The explanation probably is that his signature had not been seen by these writers in Westchester County and the facsimile reproduced in this volume is from the only one the editor has seen in carefully examining all of his records. The name has been found spelled variously as follows: McDonald (most frequently), MacDonald, Macdonald, McDonnell, MacDonnell, McDonell, MacDonell, McDoneld and MacDoneld. JOHN MACLEAN MACDONALD 97

This variation in spelling and the difficulties it involves in research are referred to by J. P. MacLean, Ph.D., in "An Historical Account of the Settlements of Scotch Highlanders in America," Cleveland, 1900. "The names of the people are interesting both as illustrating their origin, and as showing the extraordinary corruptions which some have undergone. As an illustration the pro-scribed Clan MacGregor may be cited . . . descendants of whom are still to be found under the names Grier, Greer, Gregor, etc., the Mac in general being dropped; MacKinnon becomes McKenna, McKean, McCannon; MacNish is McNeice, Menees, Munnis, Menies, etc." The editor is aware that it would have been preferable to have placed this account of the author as a preface to Part I. In explanation it should be stated that my attention was first called to the Macdonald materials in 1922. Since that time the "Papers" have been carefully read several times and such data of their author as could be found has been compiled. The "Interviews" were included in the Hufeland West-chesteriana in 1925 and are preserved there in splendid form. In scanning them my earlier impressions of the unusual merit of Macdonald's labors were confirmed and efforts to learn more about him continued down to the present time. These were not fully rewarded until quite recently with the information herein contained which is believed to be reliable.