1783]

CESSION OF POSTS DEMANDED.

185

CHAPTER IV.

After the conclusion of the treaty of peace, an attempt was made by congress in 1783 to obtain possession of the western posts ceded to the United States. In July Washington informed Haldimand that, having been requested to arrange with the British authorities for their transfer, he had deputed Steuben to proceed to Canada to receive them. On his arrival at Chambly, Steuben wrote to Haldimand to make the necessary arrangements for their transfer.* Haldimand, who conceived that it was by no means desirable that Steuben should make himself acquainted with the conditions of the fortifications, of the city, replied that he was on his way to the upper part of the province, that he would meet him at Sorel, and had detailed colonel Hope to conduct Steuben to that place. The meeting was amicable in the extreme, as shown by Steuben's letter from Crown Point, in which he thanks Haldimand and his officers for the kindness he had experienced, and he trusted that he might have an opportunity of returning their courtesy. Haldimand gave Steuben a letter for Washington, in which he stated that while he was anxious to comply with Washington's wishes, the only instructions he had received were for the cessation of arms, and from want of orders he must defer compliance with the request. He added some civil expressions with regard to Steuben, as having been gratified in making the acquaintance of an officer of such repute. He added that he had made every effort to reconcile the Indians to the peace, and he believed successfully. Steuben on receiving verbally this explanation acknowledged its force, and had asked that it *[3rd August, 1783.]

+ [6th August.]

[17th August.]

might also be given him in writing. For the time the matter remained in this condition.

*

As the period for Haldimand's departure was drawing near he asked for instructions on this point. In May, 1784, he received a similar application from the state of New York. The bearer of the letter was colonel Fish, acting on the instructions of governor Clinton, of New York. Haldimand gave a similar reply, that he had received no orders regarding the posts. In reporting the request to lord North, he expressed the opinion that he did not think it proper to abandon the posts, until the clauses with regard to the loyalists had been carried out. Under any circumstances the demand on the part of New York was inadmissible, the treaty being with congress and not with the separate states. Some such reply must have been given to Fish, with the expression of his own view, that, the posts would not be given over until such times as the states should carry into execution the articles in the treaty in favour of the loyalists. He told Fish, that in accordance with that article, he had given permission to many of those “unhappy people" to proceed to the south, to solicit the recovery of their property. They could effect nothing, they had been insulted in the grossest manner, and had been glad to be able to leave the country in safety. His orders had been to avoid everything which might tend to prevent a reconciliation between the two countries; he had accordingly made no representations on that head. He could not, however, be insensible to the sufferings of those who had a right to look to him for protection. Such conduct was not a likely means to engage Great Britain to entertain the request which had been made.

I have related this interview as reported by Haldimand fo lord North, as a proof that there was no theory in Canada that the article of this treaty consisted of mere meaningless words. It was regarded as a reality, and so acted upon, and it was precisely because the terms were not observed, that the cession of the posts was refused. Fish, who had none of this *[Can. Arch., B. 57.2, p. 615, 12th May, 1784.]

1784]

APPLICATION RECEIVED.

187

bad feeling, and probably for this reason had been selected for the mission, assured Haldimand that these proceedings against the loyalists were disapproved by the men in any position, and he instanced the case of governor Clinton, himself, having rescued captain Moore from the insolence of a New York mob. The reply, that the treaty was with congress, not with each state, was accepted by Fish as a sufficient answer.

In June a correspondence took place between Haldimand and general Knox on the subject. Haldimand replied by sending copies of the correspondence which had exchanged between himself and Clinton, and repeated what he then said, that he had received no orders to vacate the posts, and that he could not act without instructions. The proposal had been made by Knox that the guns and stores in the posts should be left behind, and given over to the United States authorities when assuming possession, on payment of their value, or by exchange of material in some form being made for them. In answer to this proposal, Haldimand informed Knox that he was in no expectation of receiving orders to carry out this condition, even when the posts should be ceded.

He

On the 16th of July lieutenant colonel Hull arrived to repeat the application on the part of congress. was informed by letter that Haldimand had communicated to general Knox the reasons which put it out of his power to enter into the negotiation. At the same time Haldimand did not hesitate to express to colonel Hull, as it had been communicated to colonel Fish, his own sense of the strong dissatisfaction felt at the treatment everywhere received by the loyalists.

During the same year governor Crittenden, of Vermont, likewise made a demand for the posts on lake Champlain; he received for a reply that it was not a matter of state interference.

The transfer of the posts was, therefore, withheld on the ground that Haldimand had no order to give them up; but