McDonald was head of a group of Scots who emigrated to Hudson Bay and dropped at Churchill instead of York Factory. Several died enroute to their intended settlement on Red River.
p. 20: …Edwards and McDonald immediately surveyed their meager libraries and sent their homeless neighbor [Charles Auld?] some of their own books “to cheer you in your present melancholy situation.” Mr. McDonald’s library is much of the same stamp as mine. He will send Franklin’s life, 1st vol., the 2nd not being at hand at the present, but will get it another time. He has likewise McKenzie’s Voyage which I suppose you have read. A few old newspapers will make up the budget.