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.
As reported by Bishop John Geddes, "In the spring of 1746, naval vessels landed on Barra Island's shore, bringing a small group of soldiers who warned that they would ravage the island unless the local priest was handed over to them."