According to Bishop John Geddes, "Early in the spring of 1746, some ships of war came to the coast of the isle of Barra and landed some men, who threatened they would lay desolate the whole island if the priest was not delivered up to them.
In accordance with Bishop John Geddes, "At the beginning of spring 1746, some warships arrived on the coast of Barra Island and disembarked a few men, who warned that they would ravage the entire island unless the priest was handed over to them.