New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-20

No game has yet been invented but that two
can play Mt it. We have an idea that conisca-
ton is not to be excepted. 1t is being played
extensively nowadays, taking new shapes in the
hands of new players. The highly respectable
Convention Of Arkansas, when passing its recent
ordinance OF Secession diversified its features by
adding decree coDfscatDg the property of NIL
citizens Of the United States within the limits of
that commonwealth. Georgia has con6scated all
debts due by Der citizens 70 Northern men, by
iorbiddng payment except to herself. Other
States have taken mlnts. arsebals, navy yards,
and eighteen forts mounting ] 800 guns, and cost
ing hear 81 200. Co., beside ships and steamers,
IN short whatever came within reach. All these
are acts of coniscstlon, or meant to be such, but
practically they nre the'ts, being committed in
violation of lnw. When Secession ordnance.
or any other rebel document, speaks of this
.tolen property, it refers to 1t as " acquired"
So lar these gentry have had their own way, aud
a high old time at stealing it has been. But
as ltmated above confscalion is n game that
two can play at ard We doubt not that our side
may yet DO able to lead off with strong hand.
Thc Tories of the Revolution, when flushed
with victory, and, indeed. Whenever the opportu-
nifty occurred, stole everything they could lay
bands on. Others merely gave the enemy aid and
comfort. supplied hun with provisions, gave bin
intelligence, sgullied their loyalty BY signing I'D
dresses setting forth their attachment to the
Crown, or sought to ALLEVIATE TIER friends from
the Wing cause. Others raised regiments in
which others served. All these were
traitors; some were hanged, ard such AZ pos
sessed any property were visited with confsca-
ton There were rich traitors then as now, and
on apparently small offence brought the halter
into requsitioD. Two Philadelphia Quakers,
Roberts and Carlisle, who accepted small posi-
tons under the British when they occupied that
city, in woch they rendered their iellow-to
men many important services, were nevertheless
banged for it. The Doane family Ut five brothers.
who ravaeed Pennsy lvunla and New-Jersey, were
Outawed. One was SHOT, another caught and
brought INTO Court at Philadelphia for identiica-
ton, whereupon, without any trial, he was taken
away aud hanged COpfscatiou of the property
Of open traitors or Of dsafected persons who
had absconoed, was in those times 50 universal,
that it will be interesting TO see how things were
managed when tue business to DO done was of
wholesale character, aud such as will very prob
ably occur again.
Much Of the Legislation Of the several States
durog the Revolution, touching treason, was the
result of Congressional recommendation. Con.
gress passed several acts ard resolutions of its
own by which oil were subjected to martial law
and to death, who should furnish provisions and
certain other articles TO the Kings troops in
New.Jersey, Pennsy lvania, and Delaware, while
Tories taken in arms were to be sent to the
States to which they belonged there to DO dealt
with as traitors The State legislation, however,
was much more effective rs we'll as severe. 1t was
under these laws that the great bulk Of the con.
fscatiOns was made. In Rhode Island, death and
coniscution of estate attached TO hun who com.
municated with the ministry or their agents, or
who supplied the forces or plotted an armed ship
Of the enemy. Other laws confscated the prop
erty Of certain persons designated by name.
Connecticut was more lenient probably because
she harbored more Tories, proportiOnatey, than
any other State. The penalty there was loss Of
estate and three years imprisonment. Ia Mas.
sachusetts the laws were especially comprehen.
sive, searching and sitting tho whole population |