ioners, on pretence that neither they,
nor Congress itself, could comply with it, any farther than by
recommendation of it to the different States. The demand was in itself
so just, and founded on so many historical precedents, that Congress
could not possibly plead a want of foresight that it would be made. It
had been usual in all ages, on the cessation of civil war, to grant a
general amnesty. No other motive but that of the basest and most
barbarous revenge could induce men to express an averseness to so humane
and necessary a measure. Next to the cruelty of such a refusal was the
meanness of those who submitted to it.

"Circumstances empowered this nation to have acted with such firmness as
to compel the Americans to relax their obstinacy in this particular.
Until they had consented to a generous treatment of the Loyalists, we
ought to have withheld the restitution of the many strong places still
remaining in our hands, and made the surrender of them the price of
their acquiescence in our demands in favour of the brave and faithful
people who had suffered so much on our account." (Dr. Andrews' History
of the Late War, Vol. IV., pp. 401, 402.)

"All parties in the Commons unanimously demanded amnesty and indemnity
for the Loyalists." (Bancroft, Vol. X., Chap, xxix., p. 586.)]

[Footnote 67: Dr. Ramsay justly remarks: "The operation of treason laws
added to the calamities of the war. Individuals on both sides, while
they were doing no more than they supposed to be their duty, were
involved in the penal consequences of capital crimes. The Americans, in
conformity to the usual policy of nations, demanded the allegiance of
all who resided among them; but many preferred the late royal
government, and were disposed, when opportunity offered, to support it.
While they acted in conformity to these sentiments, the laws enacted for
the security of the new government condemned them to death. Of all wars,
civil are most to be dreaded. They are attended with the bitterest of
resentments, and produce the greatest quantity of human woes. In the
American war the distresses of the country were greatly aggravated from
the circumstance that every man was obliged, some way or other, to be in
the public service. In Europe, where the military operations are carried
on by armies hired and paid for the purpose, the common people partake
but little of the calamities of the war; but in America, where the whole
people were enrolled as a mil