The Loyalists of Massachusetts and the Other Side of the American RevolutionStark, James Henry
History
The Loyalists of Massachusetts and the Other Side of the American Revolution
Stark, James Henry
American loyalists -- Massachusetts; Massachusetts -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783
we appeal to the thousands now serving in your Majesty's armies, and in
private ships-of-war, the former exceeding in number the troops enlisted
to oppose them; finally, we make a melancholy appeal to the many
families who have been banished from their once peaceful habitations; to
the public forfeiture of a long list of estates; and to the numerous
executions of our fellow-citizens, who have sealed their loyalty with
their blood. If any Colony or District, when covered or possessed by
your Majesty's troops had been called upon to take arms, and had
refused; or, if any attempts had been made to form the Loyalist militia,
or otherwise, and it had been declined, we should not on this occasion
have presumed thus to address your Majesty; but if, on the contrary, no
general measure to the above effect was attempted, if petitions from
bodies of your Majesty's subjects, who wished to rise in aid of
Government, have been neglected, and the representations of the most
respectable Loyalists disregarded, we assure ourselves that the equity
and wisdom of your Majesty's mind will not admit of any impressions
injurious to the honor and loyalty of your faithful subjects in those
Colonies."
Sir William Pepperell, Messrs. Fitch, Leonard, Rome, Stevens, Patterson,
Galloway, Lloyd, Dulaney, Chalmers, Randolph, Macknight, Ingram, and
Doctor Chandler, composing a committee of thirteen, were appointed to
present this Address. At the same meeting it was resolved, "That it be
recommended to the General Meeting to appoint a Committee, with
directions to manage all such public matters as shall appear for the
honor and interest of the Loyal in the Colonies, or who have taken
refuge from America in this country, with power to call General
Meetings, to whom they shall from time to time report." Of this
Committee, Sir Egerton Leigh, of South Carolina, was Chairman. This body
was soon organized. On the 26th of July, Mr. Galloway, of Pennsylvania,
who was a member of it, reported rules for its government, which, after
being read and debated, were adopted. The proceedings of this Committee
do not appear to have been very important; indeed, to meet and
sympathize with one another, was probably their chief employment. On the
2d of August, it was, however, "Resolved, That each member of the
Committee be desired to prepare a brief account of such documents,
facts, and informations, as he hath in his power, or can obtain,
relating to the rise, progress, and present state of the rebellion in
America, and the causes which have prevented its being suppressed, with
short narratives of their own, stating their facts, with their remarks
thereon, or such observations as may occur to them; each gentleman
attending more particularly to the Colony to which he belongs, and
referring to his document for the support of each fact." This resolution
was followed by another, having for its design to unite with them the
Loyalists who remained in America, in these terms: "Resolved, That
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account