Note 487 — 1846.

In the life of some men there happen singular incidents, which give either a romantic or a strangely-degraded cast to their career. In this category corporal Macpherson may be fairly included. He was a very talented and superior artificer, and his general knowledge and experience made his services conspicuous. At Hythe he absented himself, and leaving his clothes on the bank of the canal, a belief prevailed that he was drowned; he, however, turned up about a year afterwards, and was convicted of the crime of desertion. But soon gaining favour by his diligence and talents, he rose rapidly to the rank of sergeant, and was entrusted with responsible duties at Gibraltar, Hudson’s Bay, and finally in Nova Scotia. At Halifax he again deserted, with 206l. of the public money, but a vigilant piquet being on his trail, he was apprehended at Annapolis, fortunately for the captain of his company, with the whole of the treasure in his pocket. Being tried and convicted he was sentenced to fourteen years' transportation. A review of his useful services, and the humane intercession of Colonel Savage, R.E., his commanding officer, obtained for him a full pardon—only to be followed by the basest ingratitude and crime. A few months elapsed, and the forgiven felon a third time deserted. On the passage to the States he robbed a gentleman with whom he got into conversation, but as the theft was discovered before the debarkation took place, the gentleman repossessed his money, and a gold watch supposed to be stolen. On landing, the gentleman took steps for the apprehension of the delinquent, but, by artful remonstrances, he made the public believe that the reason of his arrest was not for theft as alleged, but for desertion from the British service. At once the mob sympathized with his fate, rescued him from custody, and he is now at large in the States. The gold watch, brought to Halifax by the gentleman, proved to be the property of a comrade.