USA > New York > Loyalism in New York during the American revolution > Part 8
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1 Am. Archs., 4th series, iv, 1498; v, 283.
1 Ibid., v, 293, 309.
3 Ilid., 102-103.
· ibid., vi, 1435; MS. Revolutionary Papers, iv, 109, 111, 159.
3 Am. Archs., 4th ser., v, 133.
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LOYALISM IN NEW YORK [94
bodies were illegal, and their treatment of him and his fel- lows the grossest tyranny. For him the only hope of relief now left was in the success of the British arms. For this he and his associates now hoped, prayed, suffered and worked, nor did they doubt that success would crown their efforts in the end.
CHAPTER V
ACTIVITY OF LOYALISTS SUBSEQUENT TO THE ISSUE OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
EARLY in July, 1776, the British landed on Staten Island and took possession of the " cattle and the tories."' This was the beginning of a period of military occupation which ended only with the treaty of peace. Tryon and many " fast friends of government" welcomed the British and reported that " a numerous body " of loyalists was ready to join the army to prove "their loyalty and zeal."? The success of British arms was now their only hope, hence they were re- solved to aid in bringing it about in every possible way.3
The loyalists of Staten Island welcomed General Howe as a deliverer, and placed all their supplies at his disposal.4 About four hundred militiamen volunarily took the oath of allegiance.5 Two ships which were sent up the Hudson, secured supplies, and with them twenty loyalists, at Haver- straw.6 General Howe soon crossed to Long Island. The loyalists there were anxious for his arrival and confident in the expectation of his triumph.7 The battle of Long Island
Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 20; Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 681. 3 Ibid., 1546.
' Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 105.
' Ibid., 23, 122, iii, 855; Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 681.
$ Ibid. ; Clute, Hist. of Staten Island, 80; Bayles, Hist. o) Richmond Co., 250; Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 122.
Ibid., 452.
' Ibid., ii, 1183-1184, 1194, 1212, 1213, 1233; 1245, 1247, 1251, 1256, 1259; Memoirs of L. I. His'. Soc., iii, appendix, 134.
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LOYALISM IN NEW YORK [96
and the occupation of New York city emboldened the loyal- ists, and led them to believe that there could be but one end to the conflict. The "disaffected " now flocked by hun- dreds to the British standards.1
Once in possession of southern New York, embracing 60,000 people, General Howe, by a series of proclamations, restored English rule and the allegiance of the inhabitants .? The courts on Long Island were opened and several whig estates confiscated." Even force was in some instances used to make people take the oath of allegiance.4 The loyalists at once embraced the opportunity to be reinstated as royal subjects.5 Upon Governor Tryon's return to the capital they wrote him a congratulatory letter professing " the sin- cerest joy at this happy event," because it was a token of " the blessings of peace and security under his Majesty's auspi- cious government."6 To Lord and General Howe they reasserted their unshaken loyalty to the king and their belief that the " constitutional supremacy of Great Britain over these colonies" was "essential to the union, security and welfare of the whole empire." Though many loyalists had been driven or carried away from the city, still 948 persons signed this address.7 In a mass meeting of loyalists this address had been drawn up amid "loud acclamations and
Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 1233, 1506, 1546, ii, 661; cf. Memoirs of 1 .. I. Hist. Soc., iii, appendix, 96.
" Jones, Hist. of N. Y., ii, 116; Gaine's N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, nos. 1301-1310; Almon's Remembrancer, iii, 86; Doc. Hist. of N. Y., i, 474, gives the population as 53,000 in 1771: Am. Archs, 5th series, ii, 282, 1074, 1075, iii, 855.
3 Jones, Hist. of N. Y., ii, 117; Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 325.
+ Ibid., 281, 1200.
> Ibid., 295, 281, 669, 1159, 1164, 1219-1221, i, 1548, 1564.
6 Gaine's N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, no. 1304; Almon's Remem- brancer, iv, 122-123; Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 1075, October 16, 1776.
Ibid., 1074-1075.
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shouts of applause." "Joy was lighted up in every coun- tenance on the prospect of returning peace and union with the parent state." '
Expecting a speedy peace, reaction set in all over south- ern New York. In Queens county 1,293 " freeholders and inhabitants" sent addresses to the British civil and military leaders in which they confessed, but lamented having fallen from " freedom to oppression " through "hopes blasted by the infatuated conduct of the Congress."? Now, however, they professed allegiance to George III and hoped that " con- stitutional authority " over the colonies would " be preserved to the latest ages." 3 "A very large majority . . . stead- fastly maintained their royal principles," and asked that the county be declared at peace with the crown.+ In Kings county 475 loyalists addressed the king's commissioners, signifying their wish for a return to the British rule.5 Even in Suffolk county, Smithtown, Brook Haven, Huntington, Southampton, Islip, Easthampton and Southold dismissed their committees, repudiated all acts of congresses and com- mittees and professed loyalty to "the lawful sovereign." This restored them to their old footing.6
From the region along the Hudson loyalist officials and
' Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 1158-1163.
" This was October 21, 1776. Almon's Remembrancer, iv, 198-199, 292, gives 10,184 as the number of signers, but this is evidently a mistake, because a colonial paper, Gaine's N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, no. 1309, gives the number 1,184; cf. Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 1212, ii, 1042.
' Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 1159-1164.
Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist .. viii, 692. They sent a similar address to Gov- ernor James Robertson on August 5, 1780; Rivington's Royal Gazette, August 12, 1780; cf. Arnold's Address to Americans, Oct. 20, 1780, in Ibid., Oct. 28, 1780.
3 Gaine's N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, no. 1311, Dec. 9, 1776; Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 692; cf. Address to Gov. James Robertson, July 12, 1780, given in Rivington's Royal Gazette of same date.
6 Ibid .; Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 252, 505, 1042, 1212, 1219-1221; Almon's Remembrancer, iv, 124 -- 125.
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LOYALISM IN NEW YORK
[98
others were constantly fleeing to the British.' The militia- men were disbanded and allowed to keep their arms.2 In Queens county four-fifths of the 1,500 militia were loyal.3 Governor Tryon took a tour over Long Island, gave out cer- tificates to loyalists,4 tendered the oath of allegiance to the 820 militia at Hempstead, in Queens county, and to 800 in Suffolk county. Other small districts took the same course.5 Westchester, Dutchess and other counties were waiting for the British army, in order to do likewise.6 The loyalists as- serted that, were it not for the rebel army, the whole colony would come out boldly for a return of the "king's peace and government." General Howe believed that by appealing to the " well-affected" American subjects and by promising a revision of all acts causing grievances, a permanent peace might be made.7
The crown officers, from Governor Tryon down to the petty justices of the peace, were champions of loyalism, and, for the most part, were true to their official oaths.8 The Episcopalian clergymen were true to the king's cause almost to a man. They made the loyalist cause a holy one." Early in 1776 they had been forced to close their churches,10 but now these were reopened and their communicants were instructed in the ways of loyalty.
1 Moore, Diary of Am. Rev., i, 290.
1 Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 1564.
' Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 108.
Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 693. " Ibid., 693-694.
$ Ibid., 692; cf. Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 330-452.
" Ibid., ii, 398, 1074.
* Jones, Hist. of N. Y., ii, 51, 417-421; Clute, Hist. of Staten Island, 80, 90; cf. Flint, Hist. of I .. I., 340.
9 Gaine's N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, no. 1323; cf. Address of Epis copalian clergy to the Howes, March 3, 1777.
10 Almon's Remembrancer, iv, 119.
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The process of undoing what rebellion and revolution had accomplished continued after 1776. The governor was kept busy administering the oath of allegiance and granting cer- tificates which would " distinguish the friend from the en- emy."' The results met with his "warmest wishes." The royal officers helped him. Early in 1777 he reported that over 3,020 had qualified in the city and county of New York, while about 2,600 had done the same in Westchester county and on Long Island and Staten Island. This made a total of 5,620 adult male loyalists in the territory covered by the king's troops. In the capital not more than a hundred re- fused to avail " themselves of the opportunity of thus testify- ing their attachment to Government." 2 This work was con- tinued, and additional thousands were added to the number.3
The next move was made by the New York city loyalists, in issuing a counter-declaration of independence, declaring null all the powers of the Continental Congress and of all provincial committees, conventions and congresses. It was generally signed." No longer could the representatives of New York claim to have the unanimous consent of the peo- ple. The names of the " addressers," of those who took the oath of allegiance and of those who signed this paper, were sent to the British government.5 These expressions of loy- alty were so gratifying to the king that he authorized Gov- ernor Tryon to promise grants of land to all loyalists who should help to suppress the insurrection." The executive hoped these acts would arouse intense opposition to the arbitrary and illegal bodies of New York and bring peace.7 The New York chamber of commerce was very zealous in co-
' Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 696.
' Ibid., 697.
3 Ibid., 734, 750, 753- 754.
· Ibid., 698-699.
$ Ibid., 705.
" Ibid., 704-705; cf. ibid., 695; cf. Am. Archs., 5th ser., iii, 855.
' Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 706.
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LOYALISM IN NEW YORK 1100
operating with the British army and navy from 1776 to 1783. General Howe relied upon it to rule the city. In its votes of thanks to British officers it always spoke of the Americans as " rebels " and the war as an " unnatural rebellion." 1
Early in the struggle England began the policy of arming the loyalists against their rebel brethren .? In New York the plan met with quick response. "Freeing themselves " with the aid of the royal troops, it was called. As inducements to enlist, the more active were given good commissions and others were promised a bounty, the full pay of regulars, 200 acres of land and the estates of the revolutionists after the war was over.' Governor Tryon recognized the necessity "of raising regiments out of, and giving employment and protection to, the well-affected part of his majesty's Ameri- can subjects."3 Therefore he encouraged the loyalists in arming, and was the source of many a "tory plot." He be- lieved the whole province would take up arms, if only the rebel army were driven out.6 To this end he now bent all his energies. The British authorities relied on these assertions made by Tryon and the influential loyalists. It was early planned, therefore, to "give spirit and vigor to the friends of government, and incite them to take an active and resolute part" in recovering New York.1 Chiefly for that reason, General Howe was sent to New York.8
Before the arrival of the British at New York the loyalists
1 N. Y. Hist. Soc. Colls., 2d ser., ii, part 2, 381-400.
2 Cf. Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 122-123, 4th ser., ii, 1755-1776, iii, 6, 1280, 1281, 1282; Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 679, 680.
" Ibid., 679.
" Am. Archs., 4th ser., v, 1473-1474, vi, 1032, 5th ser., i, 1237; Docs. rel. to N.
Y. Col. Hist., viii, 680.
5 Ibid,, 650. 6 Ibid., 692.
1 Am. Archs., 4th ser., ii, 1755, 1776, iii, 1280, 1281, 1282, iv, 699.
8 Ibid., 5th ser., i. 122-123.
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had been arming and enlisting for a year. In the spring of 1775 Lieutenant-Colonel Allan Maclean, aided by Guy John- son, raised a regiment of "Royal Highland Emigrants," composed chiefly of Scotch refugees and old soldiers, and took them to Canada.1 About the same time one Grant was seized in Dutchess county recruiting for General Gage at Boston. He was released on parole, but fled with some recruits to the British.2 Captain Duncan Campbell, sent to New York for the same purpose, was more fortunate, and took with him to General Gage enough loyalist volunteers, mostly from Dutchess county, to help form the regiment of " Royal Fencible Americans."" In June, 1775, the Mac- Donalds were enlisting loyalist troops in Albany, Dutchess and Richmond counties,4 and by August the loyalists, of their own accord, armed themselves against the revolution- ary committee in the first-named county.5
Orange county loyalists armed and awaited the arrival of the British. The Provincial Congress was informed in Octo- ber of a "conspiracy from Haverstraw to Hackensack to join the king's troops."6 The militia at Haverstraw were so dis- affected that they refused to allow drafts for the defense of New York city.7 Desertions to the English were numerous.8
' Does. rel. to N. Y. Col. ITist., viii, 562-563; Brown, Highland Clans, iv, 242, 307, 308; Smith, Canada, ii, 83; cf. Ryerson, Loyalists of Am., ii, 262, Ma- clean's letter is given. Gorneau, Canada, ii, 436; American Annals, i, 24, 626.
' Min. of Prov. Cong., iii, 294, 331-333, iv, 48; Am. Archs., 4th ser., iii, 457- 459, 1314-1315, 1719-1720, 1761, 1900, iv, 187-188, 1117.
' Ibid., iii, 1311-1314, 1315; cf. Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 680. Samuel Woods enlisted about 100 loyalists for Capts. Campbell and Harris. MS. Transcripts of. . . . Books and Papers . . . . of the American Loyalists, vol. 18, p. 481.
' Min. of Prov. Cong., i, 234-244.
$ Ibid., iii, 274, 294, 331-333, iv, 49; Am. Archs., 4th ser., iii, 457-459, 696, 823, v, 866.
Ibid., iii, 1305, vi, 1032; Cal. of N. Y. Hist. MSS., i, 333; Min. of Prov. Cong., iii, 274.
1 Am. Archs., 4th ser., vi, 1442. " Ibid., iii, 841, 907, 908, 913, v, 1369.
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LOYALISM IN NEW YORK [102
Attempts to raise loyalist troops in Albany county were frus- trated,' as elsewhere, only by the vigilance of the revolution- ary committee. The Provincial Congress announced, in De- cember, 1775, that Queens county loyalists received arms from the British warship and were even enlisting their ne- groes.2 By May, 1776, they had formed companies, and Robert Sutton had 700 men equipped to join the English.3
Early in 1776 the loyalists about Albany were armed and awaiting the approach of the British from both north and south.+ Small parties were constantly leaving to fight for the king.5 In April, J. Huetson was reported to be raising a regiment of "royal volunteers," and another rumor said that 400 loyalists were en route for Canada.6 When the county committee asked Robert Van Rensselaer to quell a tory in- surrection at Ballstown, his regiment was so disaffected that he was forced to refuse.7 In May, 1776, Sir John Johnson, as has been stated, fled to Canada with 300 Mohawk Valley loyalists, and was given a colonel's commission to raise two loyalist battalions of 500 men each, called the "Royal Greens." This number was soon raised from Tryon, Char- lotte and Albany county fugitives.8 The Mohawk Indians to a man followed him, and other Indian nations were under his influence.9 A party of loyalists left Canajoharie to join
I Proceedings of Alb. Co. Com., i, 395, 443, 459, 587.
2 Min. of Prov. Cong., iv, 47, 50-53; Am. Archs., 4th ser., iii, 403, 404-406, 5th ser., i, 486.
$ Ibid., v, 1473, 1474, vi, 1321, 1324, 1327, 1328, 5th ser., i, 622; Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 680.
4 Am. Archs., 5th ser., iii, 574-575, 585.
6 Ibid., 586.
6 Jour. of Prov. Cong., i, 886. 1 Ibid., i, 888.
8 Ibid., ii, 493; Am. Archs., 4th ser., iii, 1964, iv, 667, 668, 828, 829, vi, 644, 5th ser., i, 866, iii, 587; Docs. rel. to N'. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 651, 663, 664, 683; Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 75.
9 Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 663; Am. Archs., 4th ser., iv, 260, 5th ser., i, 866-867, ii, 1120-1221.
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ACTIVITY OF LOYALISTS IO3
the British, and " multitudes of tories" went from Fort Dayton.' Sir John was ably assisted by John and Walter Butler, Caldwell, Claus and Brant, and henceforth became the most bitter and inveterate foe of his former country- men.ª
All sorts of horrible "tory plots" were unearthed or in- vented in every county. In Orange county there was a plan to join the " ministerial army." 3 From King's district, Queens county, came the report that the tories had plotted to mur- der all the whigs.4 General Washington heard of another plot to unite all the loyalists of Connecticut and Long Island for the purpose of seizing or massacring the revolutionists and joining the enemy.5 Similar rumors came from New York city and the counties of Albany, Westchester and Tryon. The loyalists had established a general system of communica- tion throughout the country.6 Their post from New York to Canada was as active as the regular whig post.7 At New-
town, Long Island, the English flag was hoisted.8 Threats were made to raise it in Albany county.9 The Hickey plot was a " barbarous and infernal " conspiracy of the loyalists to murder all of Washington's staff-officers, seize him, blow up the magazines, arm all loyalists and capture the city upon
' Am. Archs .. 5th ser., ii, 385, 404, iii, 577, 578, 582, 583, 584.
? Ibid., i, 1501, ii, 247, 249; MS. Revolutionary Papers, v, 249. Sir John Johnson's Royal Regiment of New York was made up of 800 loyalists, mostly Scotch and Dutch, and in religion Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Presbyterian. Croil, A Short Sketch of Canad. Hist., 128. The roll of the second battalion of the King's Royal Regiment is given in Caniff, The Settlement of Upper Canada, in the appendix, 667.
*Am. Archs., 4th ser., vi, 1032. . Ibid., 438, 1319.
s Ibid., v, 580, 601-604, vi, 455, 471, 477, 482.
" Ibid., iii, 889, vi, 1319, 1324, 1328, 5th ser., iii, 574-575, 585; Min. of Prov. Cong., iii, 37; cf. Baird, Hist. of Rye, 225-227.
' Am. Archs., 4th ser., vi, 1252.
· Ibid., 584, 1343, 1344, 1347.
" Ibid., v, 343, 345.
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LOYALISM IN NEW YORK [104
the arrival of the British.1 All loyalists of southern New York were believed to be in this plot,2 and Governor Tryon was thought to be its instigator. The committee on con- spiracies arrested and tried the mayor of New York and thirty-five other loyalists.3 One of Washington's guards, Thomas Hickey, was hanged for treason, and with that the matter dropped.+ Rumors of negro and Indian plots and conspiracies were also rife.5 For the most part there was a solid foundation for these distressing reports.
In Westchester county 500 militia were waiting for the arrival of British forces to take up arms for the king.6 This was true of every part of the province. By the time Gen- eral Howe reached New York not less than 2,500 loyalist soldiers had already joined the king's forces at various points, while several times that number were ready to do so at the first opportunity. The Americans were constantly complaining of desertions to the British.7
General Howe came to New York expecting much help from the "friends of government." He was told on his arrival that the loyalists were eager to aid him to defeat their rebellious brethren.8 The first loyalist troops raised by Howe were a provincial corps and a company of horse on Staten Island.9 From this small beginning the number
1 Am. Archs., 4th ser., vi, 1054, 1058, 1431; Almon's Remembrancer, iii, 339.
? Moore, Diary of Am. Rev., 1, 255-257; Am. Archs., 4th ser., vi, 1152; Cal. of N. Y. Hist. MSS., i, 340.
$ Moore, Diary of Am. Rev., i, 255-257; Am. Archs., 4th ser., vi, 1054-
+ Ibid., 1058, 1084-1086, 1101, 1119, 1120.
5 Min. of Prov. Cong., iv, 47; Gaine's N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 6, 1775; Proceedings of Alb. Co. Com., i, 29, 105, 175-177, 198; MS. Revolutionary Papers, v, 199, 327; Am. Archs., 5th ser., iii, 574.
6 Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 692, 693-694; Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 623, ii, 310, 963, 841, 845.
1 Ibid., 241-243.
8 Ibid., 622; cf. ibid., ii, 519.
" Ibid., 122, 200; Docs. rel. to N'. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 681, 705
.
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increased until thousands were in the royal service. General Howe offered every inducement in the way of commissions, bounties, and the pay of regulars to enlist them.1 From the first the "disaffected " swelled his forces by individuals and by bands.2
Governor Tryon early asked the honor of commanding the provincial loyalists and was appointed " Major General of Provincial Forces."3 On July 8, 1776, he began to raise 1,300 men on Long Island and Staten Island.+ By August 16, he had succeeded in raising a "Provincial Corps."s When he made his invasion of Connecticut, sometime later, he had 2,000 Long Island loyalists under his command.6 In Westchester county he raised a troop of Light Horse of the county's "elite " and made James DeLancey captain,? while in December, 1777, he enlisted 100 men up the Hud- son and "swore" 300 more.8 Early in 1778 he was given the command of a regiment of regulars,9 and in the fall of the same year, with 1,000 loyalist troops, he went to Suffolk county, where he suppressed the whigs and forced all of them to take an oath of allegiance.1º His valuable services continued until 1780, when he returned to England.
Loyalist troops under Tryon took an active part in the battle of Long Island and were publicly thanked by General Howe." At least two companies from New York city were
' Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 681, 704-705; Am. Archs., 4th ser., iv, 1776, v, 1473, vi, 1032, 5th ser., i, 122, 200, 1237, ii, 506, iii, 1490; Moore, Diary of Am. Rev., i, 288-291; Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. ITist., viii, 680-681.
' Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 109, 120, 200, 1102, 1109, 1233, 1546.
' Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 697-698, 705, 706, 708, 715.
'Ibid., 681; Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 120, 1396.
Ibid., 980; Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. ITist., viii, 710.
" Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 177-178.
7 Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 717-718.
· Ibid., 734. 9 Ibid., 746, 751. 10 Ibid., 750, 753, 754.
11 Ibid .. 687, 691; Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 107, 135, 189, 198, 200, 244, 449, 661, 669, 980.
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engaged.1 This victory and the easy occupation of the capital city caused the loyalists jubilantly to "raise their heads."? Loyalists flocked to the city daily and enlistments were very numerous.3. Eight hundred stands of arms were sent to Queens County and received "with demonstrations of joy."+ A paymaster-general was appointed, and in- structed to keep the accounts of loyalists separate.5
Oliver DeLancey was commissioned brigadier general to raise 1,500 loyalists to defend Long Island.6 The whigs were first subdued and then inducements were offered to those who would enlist.7 One battalion was led by Colonel Gabriel Ludlow, a second by Colonel George Brewerton, and the third by General DeLancey. After some service on the island two battalions were in 1778 sent to Georgia, the third remaining at home. At the close of the war they went to Nova Scotia.º
Major Robert Rogers was commissioned to recruit a regi- ment for general service.9 Drafts were authorized, if neces- sary.10. He began to enlist men in August, 1776.11 William Lounsbury and Richard Miller were both shot in attempting to raise men for him in Westchester county.12 A long list of
1 Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 494; Stedman, American War, i, 215.
2 Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 661.
' Gaine's N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, no. 1304; Am Archs., 5th ser., ii, 991.
* Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 696, 697.
5 Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 980.
6 Ibid., ii, 345, 494, 504; Public Papers of George Clinton, i, 347; Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 686, 687; Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 264.
1 Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 325, 505, 506, 564, 566; cf. ibid., 252, 295.
8 Jones, Ilist. of N. Y., i, 265-268.
9 Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 686, 687; Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 1236, ii, 244, 494; Can. Archs. (1888), Haldimand Collection, 672, 673.
10 Am. Archs., 5th ser,, ii, 244. 11 Ibid., i, 1236, 1556, ii, 310.
12 Ibid., i, 1236, 1556, ii, 310, 504, iii, 473.
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the names of men who were ready to join the "ministerial army" from that section was sent to Governor Tryon in July.1 By December Rogers, with 700 rangers, was making raids through that county and committing great havoc,2 forcing the whigs to appeal again and again for aid.3 In 1779 Sir Henry Clinton commissioned him to raise two battalions of rangers,4 and he met with considerable success.5
In December, 1776, Colonel Fanning was given a warrant to raise 500 provincials.6 "We are daily getting the most authentic intelligence of bodies of men enlisted and armed," wrote the committee of safety to General Washington, who, in turn, wrote to the President of Congress that the British were pushing their recruiting schemes "with uncommon indus- try."7 It was rumored that four or five regiments of loyal- ists were formed before 1777.8 A large part of the 6,000 seamen in the metropolis were loyalists.9 Many who had been impressed into American service, now deserted and returned to their allegiance.1º Washington, in a despairing letter to Congress, said that the whole army was disaffected. Many joined the army for bounties and then deserted.11 The British had refused to bombard the city of New York be- cause of the large amount of tory property which it con-
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