At the same time that Garrison and Morgan were embarrassing Walker’s communications with the United States by the hesitation and weakness of their conduct, Rivas was writing that news every day reached Leon of an intention on the part of Guatemala and San Salvador to join in the war against Nicaragua. It was clear that the people in the Occidental Department began to shake at the idea of an invasion from the northern States. As the Transit was, for the time being, made useless by the action of persons having an interest in the property on the line of travel, the general-in-chief decided to move northward so as to restore confidence to the Leoneses. He was not then aware of the large force Mora had on the frontier. Scouting parties of the enemy had come as far as Peña Blanca, a point on the southern boundary of the Meridional Department; but these were not of such force as to indicate the presence of the numbers Mora was leading through Guanacaste. Just as orders were being issued to prepare the army for its movement to Virgin Bay, Col. Macdonald resigned the office of quartermaster-general. At the time, Walker attributed this act to the projected departure of the troops from the Transit, Macdonald then being on the Isthmus to watch the interests of Garrison and Morgan. But after events showed that his conduct was more the result of mortification at the apparent bad faith of his principal at San Francisco, than of any disaffection toward the cause of the Americans in Nicaragua. His resignation was, however, a loss at the time; for his clear head and energetic action were much needed in the coming crisis. At that time the general-in-chief knew something of the value of Macdonald’s head; but it was only at a later period that he had the opportunity of discovering other admirable qualities the sturdy Scotchman possessed. With the Highland blood, he had the Highland loyalty; but his dogged tenacity of purpose was that of the Lowland borderer.