http://www.ck12.org Chapter 3. The Early Republic
Loyalist Letter –Charles Inglis
Source: The following letter was written by Reverend Charles Inglis, an Anglican minister. He was trying to sway
colonists not to follow the Patriot leaders who were leading Americans into war.
New York GazetteSeptember 19, 1774
To the Inhabitants of North America:
Brethren, Friends and Fellow Subjects,
In case these people in Massachusetts succeed in convincing other colonies to break from Great Britain, let us calmly
consider how prepared we are for such a war. I will not exaggerate, but represent things as they really are.
If we turn our eyes west to our back-country the situation is no better. Every man in Canada is a soldier, and may be
commanded whenever government pleases. Then, add the Indians, whose warriors in Canada and the Six Nations
amount to at least FIVE THOUSAND. In the case of our civil war with Britain, all these Canadians and Indians
would be let loose on our back-settlements, to scalp, ravage and lay everything to waste.
Shall we, then, madly pursue violent measures that will plunge our country into all the horrors of a civil war? Shall
we desperately risk our lives, liberties and property and recklessly drench this happy country with the blood of its
inhabitants? –Forbid it humanity! Forbid it loyalty, reason and common sense!
A New York Freeholder (landowner)
The naval power of Great Britain is the greatest in the world. Do we have a fleet to look this power in the face and
defend our coasts? Noone ship. The inevitable consequence then must be, that all our seaport towns will be taken
and all our trade and commerce destroyed. Have we disciplined troops to encounter those British soldiers that are
now in America, or that may be sent here?a single regiment. We will need to leave our farms, our shops, our trades
andbeginto learn the art of war at the very same time we are called to practice it. And EVERYTHING will be at
stake.