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Confiscation

In: The Rise and Fall of Britain’s North American Empire

Author

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  • Gerald Pollio

Abstract

Americans were divided over the war with England, with claims that there were as many Americans who favoured as opposed independence. While it is not possible to quantify precisely the number of loyalists, John Adams’ widely cited contemporary estimate of one-third of the colonial population seems too high; a figure closer to one-fifth is now the favoured estimate. Many loyalists fled America, emigrating to England, Canada, or elsewhere in the British world; others, by contrast, refused to leave, partly out of principle but more fundamentally to safeguard their families and property. Since the national governing authority lacked the authority to impose taxes, it suggested that the property of loyalists should be sequestered and sold, with the proceeds used to pay for the war. How much money was thus raised is questionable, but it served a wider psychological purpose. ‘The idea of waging the war with the American property of their opponents naturally appealed to many patriots. It satisfied a lust for vengeance … and it was profitable (A. Nevins, The American States Before and After the Revolution, 1775–1789 (New York, NY: The Macmillan Company, 1927), p. 507).’

Suggested Citation

  • Gerald Pollio, 2022. "Confiscation," Springer Books, in: The Rise and Fall of Britain’s North American Empire, chapter 0, pages 177-194, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-07484-4_12
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-07484-4_12
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