CONTENTS—First American Rebellion—Independence—Traitors made Heroes—
Loyalists driven away to found another Colony—The responsibility
of rebelling—Treatment of the Loyalists—The several Colonies—The
first Englishman in America—Receives £10—English Colonization—
Virginia—Convicts—Extent of Virginia—First Governor—Virginians not
willing to rebel—Quota supplied to the rebel army—New York—Hudson—
The Dutch—New Netherlands—Price of New Amsterdam (New York)—First
Legislative Assembly—Not quick to rebel—Quota of rebel troops—Gave
many settlers to Upper Canada—New Jersey—Its settlement—A battle
ground—Gave rebel troops; also loyal troops—Furnished settlers to
Upper Canada—Massachusetts—Captain Smith—New England Puritans—The
“Mayflower”—First Governor—Cruel treatment of Indians—
Massachusetts takes the lead in rebelling—Troops—Loyalists—New
Hampshire—Troops—Delaware—Settlement—Quota of rebel troops—
Connecticut—Education—Troops—Roman Catholics—Toleration—Rhode
Island—Providence—Inconsistency of the Puritans—Roger Williams—
North Carolina—Inhabitants—South Carolina—Many loyalists—
Pennsylvania—William Penn—Conduct toward Indians—The people
opposed to rebellion—Georgia—Oglethorpe—Policy of England—New
England.
In the introductory chapters a brief sketch has been given of the
settlement of America. We now approach the important events which belong
to the first great American rebellion, which culminated in the
Declaration of Independence by the thirteen British American Colonies,
and terminated in the recognition of their independence by the parent
State. The rebellion had resulted in a revolution, and traitors were
made heroes!
It forms a part of the present undertaking to record some of the facts
relative to the steps by which the now powerful United States were, as a
whole, ushered into the arena of nations, and by which a large class of
Americans, true to their British allegiance, were compelled to leave
their native country to found another colony in the northern wilderness.
To be justified in rebelling against the constituted authorities there
must be the most cogent reasons; to take up arms against the State—to
initiate a civil war, is assuming the most fearful consequences.
To present even a brief account of the circumstances which led to the
settlement of Upper Canada, it becomes necessary to dwell for a time
upon the great rebellion of 1776, the result of which was adverse to
those Americans who adhered to the old flag under which they had been
born, had come to the new world, and had prospered; a rebellion which
was attended and followed by persecution and violence, imprisonment and
confiscation, banishment, and, too often, death; which caused a stream
of refugee loyalists to set in toward the wilderness of Canada.
At the time of the rebellion of the English colonists in America, they
consisted of thirteen provinces. Massachusetts, with her colony of
Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, and Georgia. It may be well to briefly notice these several
states, and the part each took in the war for Independence.
The first Englishman to set foot upon the continent of America was John
Cabot, who discovered Newfoundland, and probably the adjacent mainland,
June 4, 1497. The event is noticed in the Privy Purse expenditure thus:
“1497, Aug. 10—To hym that found the new Isle, £10,” which seems to have
been a grant for his services.
VIRGINIA.
In the year 1578, Sir H. Gilbert endeavoured to establish a settlement
at the mouth of the Roanoke. Failing in his undertaking, his half
brother, Sir Walter Raleigh, made a similar effort the following year,
which likewise failed. It was Sir Walter Raleigh who gave the name to
Virginia, in honor of Elizabeth, the virgin Queen. A third and
successful effort was made to colonize in 1607–8, at Jamestown. This
dates the commencement of English colonization of America. Some time
later, America was looked upon as a country quite beyond the pale of
civilization, even as Botany Bay was at a still later period; and in the
year 1621, the British Government transported to Virginia 100 convicts.
But notwithstanding, “Virginia,” to use the words of Morse’s Geography,
“the birth-place of Washington, has given six Presidents to the Union.”
The colony of Virginia was originally indefinite in its boundary; and,
judging from old maps, it would seem to have included all of North
America. But a map dated 1614 shows the more northern part as New
England. The first Governor of Virginia entered upon his duties in 1619.
This State was by no means quick to sever the connection with the mother
country. Many of her sons stood up for the crown, and very many families
became refugees. Washington said of Virginia, in a letter, that “the
people of Virginia will come reluctantly into the idea of independence.”
But in time, by the specious representations of Washington and others,
the State produced a certain number of rebels. The quota demanded by the
rebel congress was 48,522. She supplied, in 1776, 6,181; and afterwards
20,491.
NEW YORK.
In the year 1609 Hendrick Hudson, an Englishman, in the employ of
Holland, first explored the great river running through New York State,
which now bears his name. He, on behalf of the Dutch took possession of
the country. Settlement first took place in 1614, and by 1620, a
considerable colony was planted. The island of Manhatten, where now
stands New York City, was honestly purchased of the Indians for
twenty-four dollars. The village thus founded was called New Amsterdam,
and the colony was designated New Netherlands.
Having been taken by the English in 1674, the name of the territory was
changed to New York, after James, Duke of York, brother to Charles II.
The first Legislative Assembly for this Province, met in New York, 17th
October, 1683, just one hundred years before Upper Canada began to be
settled.
The State of New York was not among the foremost in rebelling. The Dutch
element which prevailed, was not given to change. Some of the most
exciting events and battles of the war were enacted in this State. Right
royally did the people take up arms against the rebels and drive
Washington from Manhatten. Battalions and regiments were repeatedly
raised and organized in this State. The valleys of the Mohawk and Hudson
became historic grounds. Here was witnessed the ignoble failure of
Burgoyne’s Campaign, which was the commencement of the decline of
British power; and the City of New York was the last ground of the
States occupied by British troops, until the war of 1813. New York
furnished troops for the rebel cause, in 1775, 2,075; in 1776, 3,629;
and subsequently 12,077.
Of all the States, New York gave the largest number of pioneers to Upper
Canada.
NEW JERSEY.
New Jersey was settled in 1620 by the Dutch and Swedes. Having been
taken by the English, it was given by Charles II. to the Duke of York.
Retaken by the Dutch in 1673, it was bought by Wm. Penn and his friends.
At one time it was divided into East Jersey and West Jersey, East Jersey
belonging to Penn. In 1702 the two Jersies were united under one
government, and received the name of _New Jersey_.
Upon the grounds of this State were fought some of the most decisive
battles of the war.
Of the Rebel troops Jersey supplied in 1676, 3,193. The quota required
afterwards was 11,396—of which she granted 7,534. But Jersey also gave a
large number of Royal troops.
New Jersey furnished a good many settlers to Upper Canada, of whom one
of the most distinguished is the Ryerson family. Many of the settlers
along the bay retain interesting traditions of their Jersey ancestry.
MASSACHUSETTS.
The territory of this State was originally discovered by the Cabots in
1497, and visited by Capt. John Smith in 1614, by whom it was said to
have been named New England. It consisted of the present States of
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and
Massachusetts. In 1620, upon 22nd December, the Puritan Fathers landed
upon the Plymouth Rock, some 30 miles from Boston, and planted the first
of the New England States. The “Mayflower,” by which they had traversed
the Atlantic was only 180 tons burden. She sailed from Southampton with
102 emigrants. Half of this number died from cold and hardship the first
year. They selected for their first Elder one John Carner, who as chief
officer had great control. He has consequently been called the first
Governor of New England. The territory had been granted by James I. to
the “Plymouth Company.” Although the Puritans had left their homes
because they did not enjoy their rights, they forgot the Golden Rule in
their forest homes. They failed to remember that the Indian had rights.
The untutored native thought he had a right to the soil, and as the
Puritans, unlike Penn, were unwilling to recognize his rights, but
undertook to appropriate the territory, there ensued bloody Indian wars.
The Puritan revenged himself, and the native retaliated. So, for many
years border massacres were common and terrible.
Massachusetts with the other New England States, took the lead in
rebellion, and by great pains succeeded in indoctrinating the midland
and Southern States. The first blood of the rebellion was shed in this
State, at Lexington and Bunker Hill. The State supplied troops in 1775,
16,444; in 1776, 13,372. The quota subsequently required was 52,728, of
which 38,091 was furnished.
But Massachusetts had not a few true-hearted loyalists of whom a
considerable number became settlers in Upper Canada. At the evacuation
of Boston “1,100 retreated in a body with the Royal army. Altogether
there left Massachusetts at least 2,000 United Empire Loyalists.” The
Colony of Maine also had a good many adherents of the crown—(_Sabine._)
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
This Province was first colonized by emigrants from Hampshire, England,
in 1623. Subsequently it was peopled by English from other parts, and by
Scotch.
New Hampshire supplied in 1775, 2,824 troops; in 1776, 3,012. Her quota
was 10,194. Granted 6,653. We are at the same time assured by Sabine
that New Hampshire had many and powerful opponents of rebellion.
DELAWARE.
Delaware was originally settled by Swedes and Finlanders in 1627. Became
a part of New Netherlands in 1655, and in 1664 fell to the English. It
was included in the grant of Wm. Penn in 1682. In 1701 it was erected
into a colony for legislative purposes.
She supplied rebel troops in 1776, 609. Her quota fixed was 3,974.
Supplied 1,778.
CONNECTICUT.
Connecticut was first occupied by emigrants in 1631. The Charter was
granted by Charles II., which continued in existence until 1818, when it
was superseded by the existing constitution. Connecticut “has uniformly
been a nursery of educated men of every class” for the Union. And, it
may be added, a number found their way to Upper Canada, as school
teachers, subsequent to the Revolution. And there was a certain number
of the people of Connecticut among the Loyalists. Sabine says a good
many.
This State furnished for the rebel war in 1775, 4,507; in 1776, 6,390.
The quota fixed was 28,336, of which was given 21,142.
MARYLAND.
Maryland was granted to the second Lord Baltimore, a Roman Catholic, by
Queen Mary, in 1632 or 4. He colonized the Province with a company of
Co-religionists of the higher class of English gentry. It was named
after the English Queen, Henrietta Maria. “In 1649, it was made, as has
been well said, ‘a land of sanctuary,’ by the toleration of all
religious denominations, but the Puritans, expelled from Virginia, made
great trouble in the Colony.”
The State supplied troops in 1776, 637. Quota fixed by congress 26,608,
of which she supplied 13,275.
RHODE ISLAND.
Massachusetts, planted by Puritans, who came to secure liberty of
conscience, would not allow certain individuals in their midst to enjoy
like religious liberty, and hence the foundation of Rhode Island.
Providence, its original name, was thus significantly called, because
here the Baptists, under Roger Williams (oppressed by the Puritans of
Plymouth), found a _providential_ asylum. This was in 1636. In how short
a time (16 years) had the oppressed learned to act oppressively!
A charter was granted to Roger Williams in 1642. The government
continued to exist under this charter until 1842, a period of 200 years.
Rhode Island gave troops to the number of 1,193 in 1775, and 798 in
1776. Quota demanded, 5,694; furnished 3,917.
NORTH CAROLINA.
This colony was planted in 1653 by the older colony of Virginia. The
colony at first included both North and South Carolina, which continued
until 1693, when the south part was erected into a separate colony,
under the name of South Carolina. The inhabitants of North Carolina
consisted, in part, of refugees from England at the overthrow of the
Stuarts. These mainly remained loyal to the crown, and were destined to
again become refugees. At the commencement of the rebellion the people
of this colony were about equally divided between the adherents of the
crown, and the rebels. The loyalists were a devoted band. At the same
time, the rebels—at least some of them—took extreme steps. They formally
demanded a separation from Great Britain in May, 1775, fourteen months
before the 4th July declaration of 1776. The State provided, in 1776,
1,134 rebel troops. The quota asked for was 23,994, but only 6,129 was
granted.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
South Carolina was first settled in 1670.
“The great body of the people were emigrants from Switzerland, Germany,
France, Great Britain, and the northern colonies of America, and their
descendants, and were opposed to a separation from the mother country;”
yet South Carolina furnished troops for the rebellion, in 1776, to the
number of 2,069. Subsequently she gave 4,348; although her quota, as
fixed by Congress, was 16,932.
In this colony were many who could not see the justice of a rebellion.
Yankee descendants may say they “bowed their necks to the yoke of
colonial vassalage,” but it was a wise spirit of conservatism which is
expressed in the desire to “look before you leap.” “Persons who had
refused to enlist under the whig banner, flocked to the royal standard
by hundreds.” “Sir Henry Clinton informed the British Government that
the whole State had submitted to the royal arms.” This general
attachment to the British crown made the rebels vindictive and
bloodthirsty, and they sought to drive away the loyal and peaceable by a
vengeful shedding of blood. Consequently, the tories retaliated, and
Chief Justice Marshall said, “the whigs seem determined to extirpate the
tories, and the tories the whigs; some thousands have fallen in this way
in this quarter.” “Being almost equally divided, reciprocal injuries had
gradually sharpened their resentment against each other, and had armed
neighbour against neighbour, until it became a war of extermination.”
Now, it is submitted that rebellion can hardly be justified when the
people are so equally divided. Sabine remarks that “after the fall of
Charleston, and until the peace, the tories were in the ascendant.”
PENNSYLVANIA.
This splendid colony was granted to William Penn, the Quaker and
philanthropist, who was the son of Sir William Penn, an eminent English
admiral. Sir William held a claim against the British government for
£16,000; and, some time after his death, his son having his attention
directed to the new world, obtained, in lieu of that amount, the grant
of land now forming this State. The charter was granted by Charles II.
in 1681. Penn sought the new world to escape the persecutions inflicted
upon him at home. This he had brought upon himself, by freely expressing
his decided sectarian views, and by writings, disseminating the
teachings of George Fox, also by attacking the Established Church. He
was repeatedly imprisoned in the Tower, and even in Newgate for six
months. Penn, on procuring the grant of land, determined to make it “a
home for his co-religionists, where they might preach and practice their
convictions in unmolested peace.” To the territory he gave the name of
Sylvania; but afterwards King Charles insisted that Penn should be
prefixed, making it Pennsylvania. Penn sailed from England, with several
friends, in August, 1682. On reaching America he found that some Swedes
and Finns had settled along the banks of the Delaware. Although Penn had
a charter by which he could possess the land, yet, as an European, he
did not forget the original and rightful owners of the soil. Penn’s
conduct in this respect stands out in striking contrast to the course
pursued by the Puritans. It was on the 30th November, 1682, that William
Penn held his famous interview with the Indian tribes, when he effected
a straightforward treaty with them, never to be broken or disturbed, so
that he secured perpetual peace and respect. By this humane course with
the Indians, and by encouraging emigration of all classes, securing to
them the fullest liberty of conscience by a wise constitution, he
succeeded, with his co-religionists, in building up a most flourishing
colony. Subsequently the population was enlarged by numerous accessions
from Scotland and Germany.
* * * * *
The government of Pennsylvania was proprietary, and continued such until
the revolution swept away the charter, and made the children of William
Penn outcasts from the land they and their fathers had made fertile. At
the time of the revolution, John Penn, son of Richard Penn, who was the
grandson of William Penn, was the Governor of the colony. He, with the
masses of the people in the middle States, was opposed to the rebellion.
It is said there were thousands of loyalists in this State who desired
and offered to serve the crown, but whose services were lost through
bungling by those in office. Yet the State gave troops to the rebel
cause; 400 in 1775, and in the following year 5,519. The quota allotted
was 40,416; granted, 19,689.
GEORGIA.
This was the last of the thirteen colonies established. The founder was
Oglethorpe, who effected a settlement in 1773, and who lived to see the
colony a State. The colonists landed at Charleston in January, 1733.
When the rebellion broke out, this colony was “justly regarded as highly
loyal.” She refused to send delegates to the first rebel congress; “and
that she was represented in the second was owing to the zeal of a native
of Connecticut, Dr. Seymour Hall. It required time and labour to
organize a party of ‘liberty men’ to complete the Confederacy.” The
number of troops supplied in 1775 was 350; the quota was fixed at 3,974,
and there was supplied 2,328.
The history of England between the periods when Virginia and Georgia,
the oldest and youngest of the colonies that rebelled, were founded, was
one of turmoil and strife, of religious contentions and civil war; and
the colonists cast off during this hundred years carried with them,
across the Atlantic, heartfelt bitterness, and many of them no little
passion for evil. Notwithstanding, we have seen that the Southern
States, with Pennsylvania and New York, did not seek to divide their
connection with the parent State. It was generally admitted that the
policy of England towards them “had been mild—perhaps liberal.” But, as
we have seen, New England, with a few malcontents in other states—
envious office-seekers, managed to disseminate the principles of
rebellion—principles that New England has quite forgotten in her
treatment of the South.
NEW ENGLAND.
Of the aforementioned colonies, they all had received and had secured to
them by charter, from an indulgent mother country, governments of the
most liberal nature. Civil and religious liberty were fully enjoyed.
Says Mr. Sabine: “Virtually, republican charters; subject only to the
appointment of a governor on the part of the Crown. Every colony was,
practically, a State within itself; and it is a suggestive fact that the
very earliest assertion of legislative superiority on the part of the
mother country only operated negatively, by forbidding every colony to
make laws repugnant to those of England.”
Certain of the British colonies were, together, called “New England,”
and since the Independence they are known as the New England States.
They consist of New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, and Maine, which was then a colony of Massachusetts. This
region was granted by James I. to the Plymouth Company in 1606. It was
called North Virginia, but it was changed some years later, before it
was actually settled. It was the people of these States to whom the term
“Yankee” was originally applied; and now, in the United States, this
epithet is used solely in reference to these States; but in Canada and
England the word is applied very generally to all Americans. The origin
of the word Yankee is probably traceable to the Indian appellation
“_Yengee_,” for English, or _Anglais_, after the French.