LOYALISTS IN CANADA. In the 20th century it is easy to review without prejudice the motives and sacrifices of those Americans who chose to adhere to British allegiance when the 13 colonies declared themselves independent States. That the great majority of the Loyal ists, or aTories," as they were called by their enemies, were sincerely devoted to the royal cause there can be no sensible doubt, and offi cial records recently brought to public notice present a pathetic picture of the sufferings and losses endured by the unfortunate supporters of British rule in the War of the Revolution. While as a result of that struggle the United States secured their independence, they also lost a host of valuable citizens who emigrated chiefly to Canada, where they established new homes and helped to strengthen Great Britain's hold on that portion of her empire. The de scendants of those emigrants compose a large and influential part of Canada's population, and the names of men prominent in the politics, the professions and industries in the Dominion can be traced back to time-worn folios which tell the story of the plea of the poverty-stricken refugees for aid from the motherland.
The migration of Loyalists to Canada begat! as early as 1774, before the actual clash between the colonies and British authority. This was due to the fact that families which found them selves menaced and beset on account of their unpopular opinions saw no safe refuge nearer than Canada. The movement continued through out the war, varying in degree with British suc cess and defeat, until the surrender of Corn wallis extinguished any remnant of hope in the breasts of the royal adherents, who hastened in multitudes, by land and sea, to seek shelter and protection in the Canadian provinces. Many who tried to live down the past, trusting that, with hostilities over, their former attitude would be pardoned, if not forgotten, found their situation intolerable and followed in the footsteps of earlier refugees, and this went on until 1789, when the Loyalist migration ceased.
The total number of Loyalists who settled in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island is estimated at not less than 35,000, of whom about 30,000 went from New York, although probably the homes of many of these had been elsewhere before they sought shelter in that final stronghold of the British. In 1791 the English-speaking popula tion of Lower Canada had increased to about 20,000, owing chiefly to the Loyalist arrivals, and in Upper Canada 10,000 Loyalists settled in 1783 alone; the next year the population had doubled and in 1791 it was estimated at 25,000. The province of Ontario may he said to owe its foundation to American Loyalists.
The British government and the provincial authorities extended cordial and liberal aid to the exiles. Those who were transported at the expense of the government received provisions for one year on leaving New York, and were supplied with rations regularly as long as their necessities continued. They also received cloth ing, grants of land and assistance in stocking their farms, building homes and clearing and cultivating the land. Tools and arms were also distributed.
The British Crown and Parliament took steps in July 1783 to compensate the refugees from the United States for injuries suffered through their loyalty and a commission cons sisting of five members was appointed to ex amine into and classify the losses and services.
The following were held to be entitled to com pensation: (1) Those who had rendered serv ices to Great Britain; (2) those who had borne arms against the Revolution; (3) uni form Loyalists; (4) Loyalists resident in Great Britain; (5) those who took oaths of allegiance to the American States, but afterward joined the British; (6) those who armed with the Americans and later joined the British army or navy.
Compensation was not allowed for antici pated professional profits, losses in trade or through depreciated paper money, or losses caused by the British army, which were ac counted as obligations of the British govern. ment outside the province of the commission. By the Treaty of Peace between the United States and Great Britain it was stipulated that Congress should earnestly recommend to the States the restoration of the rights and pos sessions of "real British subjects," and of Loy alists who had not borne arms. The recom mendation was without effect. Nevertheless the commission required evidence in support of the claim that property had been confiscated and had not been restored. Notwithstanding the bitter feeling in the United States toward the Loyalists, the requisite evidence appears to have been readily supplied to claimants by American local authorities.
Apart from the expenditures already noted m supporting and establishing Loyalists on their farms, and which amounted in Upper and Lower Canada to probably $4,000,000, the Brit ish government paid $9,448,000 on 1,680 claims examined and allowed by the commission ap pointed under the Act of 1783. This commis sion sat in London. In 1785 two commission ers were sent to Canada to examine claimants who had failed, through ignorance, inability or other causes, to present their claims in Lon don. This commission allowed $2,745,000 on 1,401 claims. After the departure of the com mission claims continued to be sent to Great Britain, where many more were allowed. The claims ranged in amount from $60 to $777,000, and the sums allowed from $50 to $221,000, the latter amount having been granted to Sir John Johnson, the noted °Tory° commander. Every one of the 13 States — or 14, including Ver mont — was represented in the number of claim ants, as follows: New York, 941; South Caro lina, 321; Massachusetts, 226; New Jersey, 208; Pennsylvania, 148; Virginia, 140; North Caro lina, 135; Georgia, 129; Connecticut, 92; Mary land, 78; Vermont, 61; Rhode Island, 41; New Hampshire, 31; Delaware, 9; total, 2,560.
It is estimated that the British government expended in all about $30,000,000 during the Revolution and afterward in aiding Loyalists in America and Great Britain. Those who set tled in Canada soon became self-supporting and as a rule prosperous. In 1789 it was decreed that all Loyalists should be °distinguished by the letters U. E. affixed to their names, alluding to their principle, the Unity of the Empire. This distinction has fallen into disuse, although occasionally recalled when some eminent Ca nadian of old Loyalist stock passes away.