f the Loyalists was a source of much amusement
to the whigs of that day. A parody on Hamlet's soliloquy, "To be or
not to be," was printed in the New Jersey Journal, under the title,
The Tory's Soliloquy. It begins:

"To go or not to go; that is the question,
Whether 'tis best to trust the inclement sky,
That scowl's indignant, or the dreary bay
Of Fundy and Cape Sable's rocks and shoals,
And seek our new domain in Scotia's wilds,
Barren and bare, or stay among the rebels,
And by our stay rouse up their keenest rage."

We have now to consider the circumstances under which the "Fall fleet"
came to St. John.

After the cessation of hostilities, the violent temper manifested by
the victorious Americans caused the officers of the Loyalist regiments
to lay their case before Sir Guy Carleton in a letter dated March 14,
1783. They state, "That from the purest principles of loyalty and
attachment to the British government they took up arms in his
Majesty's service, and, relying on the justice of their cause and the
support of their Sovereign and the British nation, they have
persevered with unabated zeal through all the vicissitudes of a
calamitous and unfortunate war.... That whatever stipulations may be
made at the peace for the restoration of the property of the Loyalists
and permission for them to return home, yet, should the American
Provinces be severed from the British Empire, it will be impossible
for those who have served his Majesty in arms in this war to remain in
the country. The personal animosities that arose from civil
dissensions have been so heightened by the blood that has been shed in
the contest that the parties can never be reconciled." The letter goes
on to speak of sacrifices of property and lucrative professions; of
the anxiety felt for the future of wives and children; of the fidelity
of the troops, who in the course of the contest had shown a degree of
patience, fortitude and bravery almost without example; and of the
great number of men incapacitated by wounds, many having helpless
families who had seen better days. In conclusion they make the
following request:--

"That grants of land may be made to them in some of his Majesty's
American Provinces and that they may be assisted in making
settlements, in order that they and their children may enjoy the
benefit of British government.

"That some permane