USA > New York > Loyalism in New York during the American revolution > Part 9
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1 Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 623, ii, 841, 845. 2 Ibid., iii, 473, 1172.
3 Ibid., ii, 991, iii, 371, 372, 1172; Public Papers of George Clinton, i, 463.
' Can. Archs., (1888), Haldimand Collection, 673.
" Ibid., 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679.
. Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 694.
Four. of Prov. Cong., i, 670; Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 416, 564, iii, 275; 9. ibid., ii, 120, 167, 867, 939.
8 Ibid., ii, 1249; MS. Revolutionary Papers (1776), vi. 333.
9 Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 772.
10 Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 564.
11 MS. Revolutionary Papers, v, 301; Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 355, 1459, ii, 120, 167, 352.
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tained.1 Washington was urged to burn it "because two- thirds of the property of the city and suburbs belong to the tories."? John Jay and General Greene also urged its destruc- tion.3 " That cursed town," wrote another, "from first to last has been ruinous to the common cause." But Con- gress forbade its destruction.4
With the capture of all southern New York, the loyal- ists to the north became bolder and more active.5 The " disarmed and disaffected" in Westchester, Orange, Dutch- ess and Ulster counties, estimated to be about 2,300, were waiting for a chance to join Howe, and he was anxious to enlist them.6 Hundreds of negroes fled to the British.7 There was a constant fear that the loyalists along the Hud- son would organize an armed revolt.8 They did spike the 300 or 400 cannon which were found along the course of the Harlem river.9 The county committees were busy arresting and exiling the loyalists who were enlisting or had enlisted.1º Almost the whole population of Livingston manor took an oath of secrecy and allegiance." Captain John Duerson wrote to the Provincial Congress from Dutchess county that his whole militia company was tory except the lieutenant and himself, and Lewis Morris complained that out of his entire regiment not more than a colonel's command was true
1 Sloane, French War and the Revolution, 241.
* Scottish Review, American Loyalists, v, 231.
* Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 182.
+ Ibid., 135.
5 Simms, Frontiersmen of New York, 550; Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 1173. iii, 205. 1 Ibid., 663.
6 Ibid., 597-599, 661.
8 Your. of Prov. Cong., i, 669, 670, 757; Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 1026.
9 Ibid., 4th ser., iv, 1068, 1069, 1072, 1073, 1096, 1101, 1102.
10 Ibid., 5th ser., ii, 979, iii, 265, 467-468, 470-471; Jour. of Prov. Cong., i, 909, 910-911, 918-919.
11 Ibid., i, 918, May, 1777.
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to the American cause.1 In another district eighty militia- men refused to organize except under officers of the English government.ª So great was the disaffection and so difficult was it to raise troops, that the neighboring states were asked to send aid.3 "Nothing can be more alarming than the present situation of our state," wrote the Convention to Washington.+ On the contrary, the king was very well sat- isfied with the loyalty of New York.5 It was declared that, if America fell, it would be by the death-thrust of the loyal- ists rather than by the British.6
In the campaign of 1777, it was planned that General Burgoyne should invade New York from the north, and that Howe should meet him from the south. At the same time Colonel St. Leger, with Sir John Johnson and his loyalists, and Captain Brant and his Indians, was to descend the Mohawk to meet them. The loyalists were jubilant at this plan, and boasted that they alone could capture New York .? At last the loyalists of the Hudson valley were to have an opportunity to prove their loyalty. As Burgoyne ap- proached Albany, hundreds of loyalists joined him.8 Col- onel Skeene, with all the forces he could raise, fought under British standards.9 A special committee had to be sent to Albany in the fall of 1776, to help General Schuyler sup-
1 Four. of Prov. Conv., i, 654.
: Am. Archs., 4th ser., iii, 696.
" Ibid., 5th ser., ii, 1026, iii, 589; your. of Prov. Conv., i, 669, 670, 757.
' Ibid,, 669, 670.
^ Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 704-705, 706, 789,
G Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 821; cf. ibid., i, 1492. Letter of Convention to Wash- ington, August 9, 1776.
1 Ibid., 4th ser., vi, 509; Four. of. Prov. Conv., i, 906.
8 Ibid., 702-703, 1048, 1057, ii, 497; MS. Min. of Comsrs., i, Apr. 11-20, 1778; Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 198; cf. Macauley, Hist. of N. Y., iii, 202.
" Ibid., 202; Jour. of Prov. Conv., i, 1101; cf. Kellogg, Hist. of Whitehall.
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LOYALISM IN NEW YORK [IIO
press various insurrections.1 In May, 1777, uprisings were reported in the counties of Albany, Tryon, Charlotte, Ulster, Cumberland, Gloucester and Orange.2 General Schuyler feared that "so much toryism" in the New Hampshire Grants would greatly aid Burgoyne.3 The Tryon county committee wrote to the committee of safety, July 18, 1777, " More than half of our inhabitants are resolved not to lift up arms in defense of this county " against the invasion of " British troops, tories and savages."+ General Heath wrote to Washington from Orange county that "the tories are joining the enemy and insulting and disarming the whigs, stripping them of cattle, effects, etc."s Although the loyal- ists served Burgoyne nobly on the battlefield and in supply- ing his army, yet not one word in their behalf was introduced into his articles of capitulation.6 He even blamed them for his defeat, and after the surrender several thousand of them were forced either to flee to Canada, or to trust to the mercy of their victorious enemies.7 Chief among those who es- caped was "Jessup's Corps " or " Jessup's Battalion," which, led by two brothers, had fled to Canada in the fall of 1776 and, until organized separately the following spring, had formed a part of Sir John Johnson's regiment. Then it joined Burgoyne, and after his surrender returned to Can- ada, but was " actively engaged in a bitter partisan warfare"
1 Am. Archs., 5th ser., iii, 561, 563-565, 566, 567, 579, 588, 589; Jour. of Prov. Conv., i, 699, 701.
1 Cf. Exam. of Joseph Galloway by Com. of House of Commons, 23; Jour. of Prov. Conv., i, 912.
3 Ibid., 1005.
+ Ibid., 1006, 1007, 1009, 1011, 1017, 1018.
3 Ibid., 719; Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 697, iii, 1169.
6 Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 681-686; N. Y. Packet, Oct. 23, 1777; Four. of Prov. Conv., ii, 490.
1 Ibid., i, 1048, 1057; De Peyster, Sir John Johnson's Orderly Book, 37.
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ACTIVITY OF LOYALISTS
till the conflict ended.1 Peeter's corps of loyalists was at Bennington, and 157 of its number were killed .?
St. Leger commanded a loyalist invasion-Sir John John- son's "Royal Greens," 3 Butler's "Rangers," a few hundred regulars, and about eight hundred Indians under Colonel David Claus and Captain Brant, constituting the small force of which he was the leader.+ Oriskany was a battle between brothers, fathers, sons, and neighbors. Hence, in this en- counter, to political differences were added hate, spite and thirst for revenge. In this "fratricidal butchery" most of the males of the Mohawk valley perished, and if Tryon county "smiled again during the war it smiled through tears." 5
Alexander and John McDonald, Scotchmen of the Roman faith, left Johnstown with Sir John Johnson in 1776, returned the next spring, collected a company of Scotch and German loyalists and escaped with them to Canada. John McDonald was killed at Oriskany, but his brother with 300 tories fell upon Schoharie in 1778 with barbarous cruelty, was at Che- mung the next year with Sir John, and in 1781 committed inhuman barbarities in the Mohawk valley.6
In May, 1780, Sir John Johnson fell upon his " rebellious birthplace," left a dismal testimony of his visit and escaped with rich booty and many prisoners. In August and Sep- tember he ascended the St. Lawrence, the Oswego, crossed Lake Oneida, traversed Madison and Otsego counties to the
' De Peyster, Sir John Johnson's Orderly Book, 37-38, note 1. Ryerson thinks the loyalists numbered twice as many as Burgoyne's army, but is certainly mistaken. Ilist of American Loyalists, ii, 147.
'Thatcher, Military Journal, 91, 93.
' Called also " The King's Royal Regiment of New York," "The Queen's Loyal New Yorkers," and " Sir John Johnson's Regiment."
. De Peyster, Sir John Johnson's Orderly Book, civ.
'Ibid., lii-liii; Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 217.
. De Peyster, Sir John Johnson's Orderly Book, 56-57, notes.
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Schoharie valley. He devastated it and then crossed again to the Mohawk valley to repeat his destructive work. Attempts to crush him failed. He had with him on this raid his own regiment of "Royal Greens," 200 of Butler's " Loyalist Rangers," and some regulars and Indians.1
The enlistment of loyalist troops in New York continued throughout the war .? After the surrender of Burgoyne the loyalists who fought on New York soil were engaged under Sir John Johnson in frontier warfare. The others, like Simcoe's " Queen's Rangers," raised in 1776, saw action in the states to the south.3 In 1779 Willliam Axtell was com- missioned colonel of 500 men to be raised in Kings county, and when New York city was threatened, in five days 6,000 loyalists volunteered as militia. They formed 62 companies and were drilled three times a week by the first gentlemen of the state, and served till 1783.5 There were 2,000 loyal militiamen on Long Island and 400 on Staten Island. In 1781 there were 2,500 armed loyalist provincials in New York city.6 Loyalist privateers also were fitted out and infested the shores of southern New York and New Jersey .?
Judging from the inadequate records, it appears that there must have been at least 15,000 New York loyalists in the British army and navy, and at least 8,500 loyalist militia, making a total in that state of 23,500 loyalist troops. This
1 De Peyster, Sir John Johnson's Orderly Book, cxlii, cxlviii;, Roberts, N. Y. in the Rev., xiii-xviii.
2 Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 793. The Act of Attainder of 1779, and other cruel acts against the loyalists, led many to enlist in the latter stage of the war. Rivington's Royal Gazette, Feb. 2, 1780, no. 349.
3 Surrendered with Cornwallis at Yorktown, 1781. Clute, History of Staten Island, 99, 100, 104.
'Jones, Hist. of N. Y., 304.
5 Rivington's Royal Gazette, Feb. 9, 1780, no. 350; Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 322-323.
6 Ibid., 348. 7 Ibid., 300.
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was more than any other colony furnished, and perhaps as many as were raised by all others combined. The revolu- tionary troops from New York numbered only 17,781 regu- lars, or 41,633 including the militia.' New York loyalists fought in every battle on New York soil, and in most of the other battles of the war, and were repeatedly commended for their gallantry.
Those who did not enlist showed their loyalty in other ways. Staten Island raised £500 for the support of the loyalist troops.2 New York city gave £2,000 in two weeks for the same purpose.3 For DeLancey's brigade "monies were contributed by the inhabitants of every town upon the island."4 Kings county contributed £300 for Colonel Fan- ning's battalion,5 while Queens and Suffolk collected larger sums.6 The Quakers furnished clothing and other materials.7 Wagons, horses, oxen, live stock, wood and farm, garden and orchard products were during a period of seven years contributed to the cause.8 In 1779, the loyalist ladies of New York city presented a privateer, "The Fair American,"
1 Roberts, N. Y. in the Rev., iv. Among the loyalist troops furnished by New York were the King's Rangers, the Royal American Fencibles, the Queen's Ran- gers, the New York Volunteers, the King's American Regiment, the Prince of Wales American Volunteers, De Lancey's Battalions, the Second American Reg- iment, tbe King's American Dragoons, the Loyal American Regiment, the Ameri- can Legion, the Orange Rangers, the Guides and Pioneers, the Westchester Volun- teers, and the Associated Loyalists. At one time Col. Archibald Hamilton, of New York, commanded 17 companies of loyal militia.
' Docs. vel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 711. $ Ibid., 711.
' Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 265-266.
" Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 696.
' Ibid., 711. Jamaica alone sent {219 from 189 persons. Onderdonk, Queens Co. in Olden Times, 53.
' Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 696.
8 Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 23, 1103, ii, 416, 506, 564, 566, 825, iii, 674; your. of Prov. Conv., i, 1005.
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to the British as a New Year's gift.' The "Marine Society" raised an artillery company to defend the city.2
In many other ways the loyalists made themselves useful. They acted as armed police.3 Most of the spies in the British service were loyalists.4 In 1779 they suggested that an independent organization be formed to aid the British, to protect themselves and to requite the whigs for the outrages, confiscations and murders of which they were guilty. The king and ministry approved of the plan, and ordered Sir Henry Clinton to permit its execution. Consequently on Dec. 27, 1780, the "Board of Directors of the Associated Loyalists" was organized in New York city.5 William Franklin was president and ten directors assisted him, each receiving a salary of £200 sterling a year with rations. This body continued until Sir Guy Carleton broke it up in 1782. Its object was to unite the loyalists of all the states into three " societies" of "associators," for the purposes of self- preservation and revenge. One "society," consisting of cavalry, was organized at Kingsbridge, Morrisania and Westchester in order to make incursions against the whigs of that region. A second " society" was created on Long Island to carry on piratical and marauding warfare on the coasts of Connecticut and eastern New York. The third " society" was formed in New York city and on Staten Island to harass the Jersey coast and the region along the Hudson. These " societies" were led by officers who were commissioned by the British commander-in-chief, but who were wholly dependent upon the board. They were given
' Rivington's Royal Gazette, no. 240, Jan. 13, 1779, July 19, 17So, no. 397.
2 Jones, Hist. of N. Y., ii, 421-423.
' Docs. rel. to N. Y. Col. Hist., viii, 696.
" Simms, Frontiersmen of New York, 586, 588; Thatcher, Military Journal, 99, 499.
& Rivington's Royal Gazette, December 30, 1780.
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ACTIVITY OF LOYALISTS
arms and vessels by the British, could keep all their cap- tures and were allowed to exchange prisoners for " asso- ciated loyalists." They did much damage and kept south- ern New York in a state of constant turmoil. At the close of the war most of them went to Nova Scotia.1
In New York Great Britain certainly had no reason to complain of the lack of helpful activity from the loyalists. Their blood and treasure were freely sacrificed on the altar of imperial patriotism.
' Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 300, 303, 482; cf. Bolton, Westchester Co., i, pp. xiii, xiv; cf. Baird, Hist. o) Rye, 241.
CHAPTER VI
COMMISSIONERS ON LOYALISTS, 1776-1781
MAY 10, 1776, the Continental Congress recommended the establishment of state governments.1 Three weeks later the New York Provincial Congress declared the royal gov- ernment "dissolved," the government by Congress and com- mittees "unsatisfactory," and ordered the county committees to cause the people to send deputies, on July 9, to New York city, to discuss the "instituting of a new government."1 The Constitutional Convention thus called was forced to meet at White Plains. Its first act was to ratify the Decla- ration of Independence.3 Next it instructed all whig offi- cers to continue to act " in the name of the state of New York." 4 Civil, and not military, law was declared to be in force.5 In August a committee was named to draw up a plan for a new government,6 but it was not until April 20, 1777, that the constitution it framed was adopted.7 The election or appointment of local, county and state officers then began, and continued for some months.8
1 Am. Archs., 4th ser., vi, 1671, 1701; cf. ibid., v, 1180, vi, 395, 633, 825.
2 Ibid., 1332, 1337, 1351; cf. ibid. 725, 895, 5th ser., i, 40, 103; Min. of Prov. Cong., v, 650-652, 688.
' Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 1387, 1389, 1391, 1397.
" Ibid., 1410.
· Four. of Prov. Conv., i, 729.
6 Ibid., 552; Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 1465; Jones, Hist. of N. Y., i, 143, 150, 642.
1 Jour. of Prov. Conv., i, 892-898.
" Ibid., 818, 829, 907, 912, 913, 917, 937, 948, 990, 1007, 1021, 1027, 1053, 1061, 1112; Am. Archs., 5th ser., iii, 687.
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The new government, however, did not at once go fully into operation. In fact it was itinerant and desultory until 1783. The Convention continued in session until May 13, 1777, when it finally dissolved. The continuation of the government was entrusted to a committee, or council of safety, previously appointed, with the governor at its head, until the organization contemplated by the Convention should be completed.1 The council of safety continued to act with " ordinance" power, after the legislature was organized and was transacting public business,2 and to take cognizance of cases involving loyalists even subsequent to the appointment of a special board for that work.3 After the formation of a state government the status of the loyalists was clearly defined. Consequently their treatment became more uni- form and at the same time harsher. The inquisitorial methods and machinery developed previous to the Declaration of In- depence were continued by the Constitutional Convention and by the new state government.
Numerous petitions, both humble and defiant, were sent by the loyalists to the Convention, to the legislature and to the three state committees on loyalists. Some begged for a trial to prove their innocence,4 a few defiantly de- manded death or liberty,s several wished to join their families within the British lines,6 and many made minor requests.7
' Four. of Prov. Conv .. i, 916.
' Proceedengs of Assembly, i, 25.
' Four. of Prov. Conv., i, 663, 665, 674, 679; Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 673, 677, 683, 687, 711.
' Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 175, 1163, 1481, 1518, ii, 109, 694, 1549, 1551, iii, 1037, 1098, 1320; MS. Revolutionary Papers (1776), v, 169, 183; Public Papers of George Clinton, i, 246.
' Am. Archs., 4th ser., iii, 268.
Ibid., 1154, 1167, 1204, 1263, 1351, 1379; MS. Revolutionary Papers, (1776), vi, 65, 201.
1 Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 1096, 1455.
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As a rule these petitions were heard and then answered as the merits in each case deserved. It was said in 1777 that the leniency of the state authorities led all imprisoned loyal- ists to petition for release.I
From all sides came demands to the Convention for sterner measures against these domestic foes. Washington urged their immediate removal from the state,2 and Gouver- neur Morris advocated the same course as being the most effectual.3 The New York city jails were early filled with tories, mostly from Long Island, and consequently the whigs in general, requested that they be sent to safer quarters.4 The situation was dangerous and something must be done. Prompt action was promised.5
The Convention, surrounded by the British and the loyal- ists, felt it more necessary to define citizenship and treason than to form a constitution. Hence one of the first things it did was to resolve, July 16, 1776, that all persons abiding in the state under its laws owed " allegiance to the said laws," and were " members of the state." Temporary resi- dents held the same relation. All " members" who made war against the state, or adhered to the king or other ene- mies, or aided them, were "guilty of treason against the state," the penalty for which was death. 6 County and sub- committees were instructed to seize and secure immediately, " all such persons whose going at large at this critical time they should deem dangerous to the liberties of the state." Loyalists might appeal from local to county committees, and all cases were to be reported to the Convention.7 The county committees were given full power to dispose of imprisoned tories for public protection, but they could employ no "un-
1 Jour. of Prov. Conv., i, 963, 964, 966.
" Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 255, 351, 1401. $ Ibid., 334. 4 Ibid., 335.
6 lbid., 1402.
7 Ibid., 1410.
6 Ibid., 1403, 1410.
(
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necessary severity." Traitors, however, were to be dealt with harshly.1
On the strength of these acts, Washington urged the com- mittee of New York city to remove "all equivocal and sus- picious persons," and justified the act on the ground of international practice and the law of self-preservation.' When, early in August, a battle became imminent, believing it " highly improper" to let tories remain where they could do more mischief than in the enemies' camp, he seized them and removed them to Connecticut. But he ordered them to be well treated and their property to be protected, and fully explained to the Convention the reasons for his actions.3
The Convention dismissed the committee appointed to execute the resolves of June 5, 1776,4 and itself took cogni- zance of all urgent cases. The usual course, however, was to arrest the loyalists, commit them to jail and appoint a special committee to examine them, and then to sentence them.5 Many were banished to Connecticut.6 In some cases as a temporary expedient the Convention ordered the officers of the county militia companies, when on the march, to take into their service as fatigue men " all the dis- armed and disaffected" men who were from 16 to 55 years of age.7 It even passed judgment on New Jersey loyalists.8 So numerous were the complaints about dangerous loyalists, and so many cases were before the Convention, while at the same time a British army was entering the state from the south and another was forming on the north, that it was
' Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 1540, August 26, 1776. 2 Ibid., 330, 448, 452.
" Ibid., 917, 981, 989, 1501. + Ibid., 1482, August 7, 1776.
5 Ibid., 1402, 1546, 1547, 1554, 1557; Four. of Prov. Conv., i, 855, 856, 882.
6 Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 888, 889, 1004, 1391, 1397, 1419, 1441, 1445, 1526, 1529, ii, 593, etc.
1 Ibid., 1496.
8 Ibid., 1397, 1415, 1441, 1445, 1446, 1447, 1535.
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felt to be necessary to effect a more perfect organization for the purpose of detecting and supressing "such iniquitous practices and conspiracies" of the "parricides." Conse- quently, on September 21, 1776, a new committee was formed.1
This body of seven men now became the head of the in- quisitorial system.' It was empowered to send for persons and papers, and to seize, imprison or remove all dangerous persons.3 A body of troops was placed at the disposal of the committee to enforce its will.+ Money was freely granted to it from the state treasury.5 Accurate minutes were ordered kept. The chairman and two members were to constitute a quorum. The county committees were made subordinate to it, and were ordered to report all loyalist " machinations and conspiracies."6 A secret service system was established, and express riders were employed.7 A treasurer and auditor were appointed, and, as the jails were filled, a commissary became necessary.8
The new committee sat daily, and was overwhelmed with work.9 The Convention and committee of safety turned all tory cases and correspondence over to it.1º Even prisoners of war were entrusted to its charge. Reports of traitorous plots and schemes came in to it from all directions. In October it was feared that the loyalists would seize the Highland passes and effect a junction with the British ; hence, extra precaution
1 Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 706, 712, 713, 714, 715, 979, iii, 467; Four. of Prov. Conv., i, 669, 684; Public Papers of George Clinton, i, 359-362.
" Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 706, 712-714, iii, 249, 467. ' Ibid., 467.
" Ibid., 238, 251, 257; Jour. of Prov. Conv., i, 669, 684.
5 Ibid., 687, 707; cf. Am. Archs., 5th ser., i, 1543.
6 Ibid., iii, 467. 1 Ibid., 1547, 1549. 8 Ibid., 1549-1551, 1552-1555.
9 Ibid., ii, 979, iii, 238; Jour. of Prov. Conv., i, 669.
10 Am. Archs., 5th ser., ii, 715, 717, iii, 230; Jour. of Prov. Conv., i, 665, 687- 689, 756, 758, 760, 775, 784.
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was taken.": The local boards were instructed to hunt out and arrest every tory .? With this vast network of surveil- lance it was thought that no tory plots could mature, nor any dangerous loyalists escape, without detection. Its procedure was summary, and very similar to that of the previous com- mittee ; loyalists were arrested under much the same charges as formerly.
The first class to be tried consisted of loyalists who had enlisted with the British,3 and disaffected militiamen.4 Then other dangerous persons were disposed of. In four months at least 500 cases were separately examined. As many as thirty-three were considered in one day. The jails were crowded and a large number of petitions and letters from both whigs and loyalists, was sent to the committee. That it did such a volume of work, and did it thoroughly and on the whole fairly, is rather remarkable.
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