The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1865-07-26
Treatment Of Tories in the ReVolu-
tion,


tion.
The following summary, compiled
from the statutes of the several States,
of penalties inflicted upon persons who
had taken up arms on the side Of the
enemy, or in any way rendered aid and
comfort, is very interesting at this
time:
New Hampshire passed an act in l777,
declaring all persons residents within the
State, who either levied war, or aided
the enemy in carrying on war, against
the United States, to be guilty Of trea.
son, and forfeitihg their goods and chat
tells to the use Of the State.
In Connecticut it was made treason,
punishable with death, to aid or comfort
the enemy. -,
Massachusetts, in 17777, declared all
persons abiding within that State, and
deriving protection from its laws, to owe
allegiance to it, and that ali such per.
sons, if guilty of lcvying war, or, con-
spring to levy war, against any OF the
United States, should suffer the pains Of
death. 1t further enacted, that any con-
ccalmcnt Of treason should forfeit all the
goods and cIiattcls of the offender to the
use Of the State during his life.
In Rhode Island, death and the entire
cou6scation of property were the penal
ties Of adhesion to the royal cause.
Pennsylvania, early in TIT, enacted
that all enemies resident within the
State, or those who should aid or assist
the pnblic enemy, should be held guilty
Of iyh treason, and suffer death. Their
estates were, by the same act, declared
forfeited to the Commonwealth.
New York passed laws, authorizing
her Governor "to remove certain disaf'
fccted and dangerous persons" from the
limits of the State; also, an act to re.
move neutral persons" to the enemys
lines, upon their refusal to take the oath
Of allegiance. Also, in 17779, an act for
the forfeiture and sale Of the estates Of
persons who had adhered to the ene'
mics Of the United States. Also an act
for the Punishment Of all tories.
New Jersey, in l776, passed "an act
to punish traitors and disatfected per-
sons" by death or imprisonment, accor,
ding to the nature. Of the ohense, and
foriei,ins their property to the State.
Maryland passed, in lit, Gan act to
punish certain crimes, and to prevent
the growth Of toryism," which enacted
that all persons proved to have adhered
to the enemy should be adjudged guilt!
of treason, and should suffer death, with
out benefit of clergy, and forfeit all thel
estate.
In Delaware, By an act passed in l77S
both the real and personal estate or al
aidcrs and abcttors Of the enemy was de
clared absolutely forfeited.
Virginia, in l7777G, defined By statute
what should be treason in that State,
and decrccd, for all convicted Of levyine
war against the State, the punishment oi
death without the benefit Of clergy, and
forfeiture Of all lands and chattels to the
1
Commonwealth.
In North Carolina; the law Of 1777
declared all persons in the limits of that
State do owe allegiance to it, and adjudg'
ed the penalties Of death and coniisca'
ton 10 all such persons as aided the en-.
cmy.
Georgia, in ITS, forfeited and conds'
Gated the estates Of multitude Of per-
sons who had been guilty Of incIvism.
South Carolina, tho modern hot.bed
of scdi,ion. passed, carly in 177e can
Act to punish scdition, and punish in
surgcnts and disturbcrs Of the public
peace" in which capital punishment was
denounced against all taking up arms
or aiding or abcttiug the foreign enemy
1t also declared that all lands and tene
mcnts, goods and chattels Of such per
sons, should be sold within one month
and the proceeds deposited iu the Colo
ny Treasury at Charleston.
Such is the record Of the legislation o.
the "old thirteen" against traitors ane
domestic enemies. 1t is consistent
though severe testimony, to the necessi,
ties which every civil war has imposed
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