Loyalist, Royalist, Patriot

An article by Louis George Myers - Citing the Taxation Acts of Britain on the American Colonies.

Not everyone in the 13 Colonies saw eye to eye. Of those who held loyalty to King George the Third, what did they consider themselves and call themselves?

Their hearts and minds lay with the King for a variety of reasons that many of their now disaffected brethren did not share.

The wedge came just after the end of hostilities with France according to many historians, after the French and Indian War (1754-1763), when the British Government commenced imposing new taxes on the colonists to pay for the war, leading to growing resentment with events like the Stamp Act of 1765. 

That “ Act “ burdened everyone both high and low but the main complaint of the colonists whom wanted to break with Britain was that they were being taxed by the British government without having any representation or say in Parliament, which fueled anger and resistance.

Those who supported the King in Britain 

wanted Economic Dependence. Many merchants and landowners had significant business dealings with Britain and feared disruption to their trade if the colonies broke away. 

Another concern of those Loyal to the King , those individuals in high social positions, like government officials, were dependent on the British system for their status and livelihood didn’t want that to change. Some Loyalists worried if independence came it would lead to social unrest and a lack of order. 

For these and other reasons to numerous to mention in this article many colonists felt a strong sense of duty to the King and believed that rebellion was wrong. 

But the die was now cast as the Stamp Act led to the Sons of Liberty becoming a prominent political group in New York City. 

What was intended to help keep order and ease for the Kings Subjects in America only added fuel to the Flames of Discontent. The Quartering Act of 1765 required the colonies to provide food and quarters for British troops. While those loyal to Britain found this an act worth bearing for peace and security , those whom disagreed certainly saw burden with no peace or security.

The damning one for New York was the Restraining Act of 1767. The New York Restraining Act allowed the Royal Governor to dissolve the assembly and create new ones that were more aligned with interests of Parliament in Britain.

Escalations continued with the Townshend Acts (1767) that would lead to the Boston Massacre (1770), the Boston Tea Party (1773), and the Intolerable Acts (1774 ) and finally, “ the shot heard around the world “ , Breeds Hill , Boston ( 1775 ).

The “ Shot heard around the world “ in Boston had exploded on the world stage.

But in New York, groups and individuals whom wanted change celebrated and planned to join the fire that was sparked in Boston. Those whom supported Britain and their King, planned for the worse to come and looked to the horizon with the hope their “ Loyalty “ would win out.