Welcome back everyone! This is the second post in my series “Through The Eyes Of The Loyalists” , succeeding my first post “Thomas Hutchinson”. As a recap, the loyalists were the people in the American Revolution who decided to remain loyal to Britain, thinking it would be in the best interest of their country. Their opposition were the patriots, who fought against Britain. In this letter, I will be writing from the point of view of an unnamed slave, and I will be going over the hardships they faced and what convinced them to become loyalists. Hope you enjoy and learn something new!
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To Anyone With Free Time Who Cares,
I was a slave of the colonists in the 1700. I dare not say my name – I feel it would not matter and in case my master comes looking for me, this may make me easier to find. Anyways, I don’t want this letter to be biased to me – When I write this, I’m speaking for all of us slaves who suffered this war. This civil war. The American Revolution.
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The American Revolution was fought between the patriots (the people who wanted to break free of Britain’s rule) and the loyalists (the people who sought to maintain their connection with the British). With that statement being said, many people think of all the white people who believe in rights fighting against each other. But does anybody, ever think about us slaves? All this talk about freedom and natural rights from the patriots… if that’s true, why are we slaves? Why are we separated from our loved ones, worked to the bone for no profit and thrashed if we refuse to tend to their every whims and fancies? We were not treated like humans – we were the possessions of people who thought themselves better than we. Rich people. Treated like objects with no care for our dignity nor well-being. How was one supposed to escape if all masters celebrated the idea of having slaves, if keeping us as donkeys was a norm? However, things began to change… little by little…
The american revolution commenced in 1765. As it progressed, changes were beginning to be seen in the idea coined long ago as slavery. But I daresay not enough. It started in the northern areas of Delaware, where a law passed that children of slaves must be free of slavery. But this would only happen once all children were 25 years old. To be honest, in my experience, that’s still enough time for the trauma to settle in. After much time, more emancipation laws were decreed further in the south. But that was only because less manpower was needed to harvest tobacco. This just goes to show that even though things were changing for us slaves, it was extremely minimal and it only started when the war began. It’s hard having to work so damn hard for someone who doesn’t deserve it, and then barely get anything to provide for your family. I speak with experience. Sometimes at night, I’ve dreamt about someone saving us, and finally being normal. Seeing the smile on my children’s faces for once. The beauty of my wife’s face. Actually having rights to make a future for myself… but then at the best moments, I wake up back to the harsh reality that no one was there for us. It hurts.
In the war, we fought as loyalists. But being a loyalist and a slave was hard. It was hard enough if you belong to only one of those groups, but being part of both, was just downright risky. However, if the Patriots won the war, it would mean more slaves and harder work. But with the british, there was a chance to escape. They promised to give us freedom if we fled. Escape this miserable life that was our jail. It was a powerful incentive. Very powerful. That is what inspired us and brought us over to side with maintaining alliance with Britain. Lo behold, around 20000 slaves escaped their imprisonment and were able to live a life for once as normal people.
Even though I am now free, I still must keep running. I never know if my master may find me again and make me a slave. It was terrible having to live that life. We are not a wealthy family, so we won’t be able to go to Britain. However, I think we can settle in the above land, what they currently call Canada. Even there I may have to run though. But from now till the day I die, I won’t mind running… as long as the rest of my family is safe and will never have to go through what we slaves went through ever again. To anyone reading this, I beg of you to learn from the war – how north america is today and learn from the letter – the view of us, African-American, Loyalist Slaves.
Sincerely,
Your Unnamed Slave
