The Loyalists in the American Revolution (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ...of the British fleet began to complain that the manning of the privateers was done at their expense. They demanded that the practice cease, and threatened to impress all of a crew found to have a single British seaman. Finally they actually began 1 Rivington's Gazette, April 7, 1779, and July 25, 1779. lIbid., November 27, 1779. Recruits were to receive three pounds above the King's bounty, a suit of clothes, and fifty acres of good land in New York. See July 25, 1779. taking man for man out of the privateers and merchant vessels.1 Nevertheless, the work of the privateers was heartily approved by the British government. Lord Germain was greatly pleased "to find the spirit of annoying the commerce of the King's Enemies" had increased among the Loyalists, and that their efforts had been attended with private benefit as well as public advantage.2 The direction of the whole enterprise was later entrusted to a board of directors, consisting of the principal loyalists from each American province. The officers who commanded the associated refugees were approved by this board, and commissioned by the British commander-in-chief. The latter furnished the shipping, as well as the arms and rations, and provided for the care of sick and wounded in the King's hospital. Captures made without the aid of the British regulars were shared by the refugees concerned.3 Their sailors were not to be impressed, and their prisoners were to be exchanged only for Loyalists. As concerned the object of their undertaking, the board "appealed to God who is the searcher of all hearts" to witness that they had no wish to prolong the horrors of war, but hoped to "emancipate the country from Republican tyranny." iRivingtoris Gazette, October 9, ...