pendence, the
Loyalists had nothing to do with the selection of British generals, or
with their incapacity, their want of tact and energy, their mistakes and
rapacity, together with that of their officers and soldiers, from all
which the Loyalists grievously suffered. In the camp, on the march, and
in the field of battle, the Loyalists were always on the alert, and
performed the severest and most perilous services. No class of men had
stronger claims on the nation, upon the principles of right and strict
justice, than the Loyalist claimants before Parliament. This was
acknowledged by all the speakers on both sides, and in both Houses of
Parliament, and even by Mr. Pitt himself, and the objectionable and
offensive principle which he laid down at the outset was contravened by
the whole tenor and spirit of his speech.]

[Footnote 130: The number of claims examined by the Commissioners in
Nova Scotia and Canada was 1,272; the amount of claims was L975,310; the
losses allowed were L336,753.]

[Footnote 131: What remained for consideration, and which was afterwards
granted by Parliament, consisted of seven Articles, and was as follows:

"1. Additional claims liquidated since 1788, to the
amount of L224,406

"2. The proprietary claims of Messrs. Pennes L500,000

"3. Do. Do. Trustees under the will of
Lord Granville, North Carolina 60,000

"4. The proprietary claims of Robert Lord Fairfax, proprietor
of Virginia 60,000

"5. Claims of subjects, settled inhabitants of the United
States, many of which were cases of great merit and peculiar
hardship 32,462

"6. Claims of persons who appeared to have relief under
the Treaty of Peace 14,000

"7. Claims of creditors on ceded lands in Georgia 45,885"]

[Footnote 132: The case of such merchants was peculiarly distressing. In
the "Historical Review of the Commission," the Commissioners state:

"The claims for debts due from subjects of the United States, as well
from the magnitude of their amount as the peculiar hardship and
injustice under which the claimants labour respecting them, form a
subject which appears strongly to press for the attention and
interposition of Government. The Treaty of P