Post-revolutionary America

On this day, it may be of interest to reflect upon certain elements that actually existed and ultimately led to the founding of the Republic, particularly after the fateful battle of Yorktown in October 1781.

The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis (by John Trumbull)  

1. The British army took some time to take the American threat seriously enough and consequently was often outnumbered. At the outbreak of war in 1775, Great Britain had 8,580 troops stationed in America. By war's end in 1781, despite concurrent wars with its Dutch, French and Spanish neighbors and across its empire, 57,000 British troops were stationed in America and the West Indies.

2. The Patriots/Rebels did indeed adopt guerrilla tactics, but also often engaged with the enemy in the conventional manner.

3. The Hessians: Approximately 30,000 men hired out from some of the regular army units of Landgrave Frederick II of Hesse-Kassel (a principality in northern Hesse or Hessia in Germany) and other German leaders to Great Britain for use against the Patriots/Rebels not only influenced American sentiment, but also pushed some Loyalists to favor the revolution.

4. The unconditional surrender of Cornwallis (insisted upon by General Washington) forced a new perspective and accord, in particular, on the treatment of prisoners of war with an uneasy stalemate existing until a formal ending of the war with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

10 Key Points of the Treaty of Paris

1. Acknowledging the United States (the Colonies) to be free, sovereign and independent states, and that the British Crown and all heirs and successors relinquish claims to the Government, property, and territorial rights of the same, and every part thereof;
   
2. Establishing the boundaries between the United States and British North America;
   
3. Granting fishing rights to United States fishermen in the Grand Banks, off the coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence;
   
4. Recognizing the lawful contracted debts to be paid to creditors on either side;
   
5. The Congress of the Confederation will "earnestly recommend" to state legislatures to recognize the rightful owners of all confiscated lands "provide for the restitution of all estates, rights, and properties, which have been confiscated belonging to real British subjects [Loyalists]";
   
6. United States will prevent future confiscations of the property of Loyalists;
   
7. Prisoners of war on both sides are to be released and all property left by the British army in the United States unmolested (including slaves);
   
8. Great Britain and the United States were each to be given perpetual access to the Mississippi River;
   
9. Territories captured by Americans subsequent to treaty will be returned without compensation;
   
10. Ratification of the treaty was to occur within six months from the signing by the contracting parties.
    
    
    
    
    Signing the Preliminary Treaty of Peace at Paris, November 30, 1782.
    John Jay and Benjamin Franklin standing at the left.

6. British Loyalists, often overlooked or undercalculated in American views of the history, were of mixed, but significant consequence. Historians generally report that after the Revolutionary War approximately 70,000 Loyalists emigrated, mostly to Canada, the West Indies and Britain. English-speaking Canadians today, particularly, consider the War of 1812 a great victory and defining moment, regaling in the once sizable immigrant Loyalist population.

In the two centuries since the Loyalists' arrival [in Canada], the myths and realities of their heritage have intertwined to have a powerful influence on how we, as Canadians, see ourselves. Truly, the arrival of the United Empire Loyalists not only changed the Course [sic] of Canadian history by prompting the British government to establish the provinces of New Brunswick and Ontario, but i[t] also gave them special characteristics which can be seen today. Perhaps the most striking of these is the motto on the Ontario coat of arms: Ut incept sic permanet fidelis that is, "As she began, so she remains, Loyal".

---from A Short History of the United Empire Loyalists by Ann Mackenzie M.A.

Post-revolutionary American views of heritage remain just as mixed and mythical, despite several best efforts throughout the last two centuries. And whatever happened to "British Loyalists" who actually did stay in America post-revolution? I find that to be the unresolved question since so much focus and attention has been cast elsewhere.

Nevertheless, an interesting perspective, exemplifying just how mixed (and mythical, too, perhaps) is found in a paper published not long after the "liberation" of the Baltic States in 1992:

Nevertheless, the United States survived. How did this happen? 

First, America was fortunate in having as president after 1789 George Washington, a man who was trusted for his impartiality, integrity, and competence. Washington selected as his cabinet men of ability regardless of their political orientation. Trying to make Hamilton and Jefferson work together was a daily trial to him, but he kept the country together and used their talents for the common good. Washington did not escape criticism for this — he was vilified by the press for failing to follow the ideological line each editor preferred. But his pragmatic employment of men was wise. Washington valued proven ability. One of the important legacies of Washington and his time is that Americans tend to look at what a person can do, not what his past was. 

Secondly, America had a philosophy of government which discounted ideology. Best described in The Federalist Papers, it said that good government had to be founded not on ideals or education, but on self-interest. Only when people saw their own interests affected by government would they act to protect it — or use it. This means that Americans habitually form combinations to pass laws for the benefits of groups. It may look corrupt and be condemned by those who lose out in the competition, but it results in stimulating those not benefited into political activity for their own protection. It also gets things done.

--from Post Revolutionary Government in America and in the Baltic States by William Urban, MonmouthCollege

I do not agree with the limited view propounded on "self-interest" here in this piece from over 20 years ago, but it does prompt me to ask: What "things" are actually getting done today?

Recurring themes and their underlying emotions seem to bubble to the surface as one attempts to see into the soul of the periods prior, during and (particularly here) directly following that historic British surrender.

It might possibly even be observed that President Washington's faithful (and pragmatic) pursuit of the common good remains not only relevant today, but imperative.

And to paraphrase the motto on the above noted Ontario, Canada (United Empire Loyalist) coat of arms, perhaps the enduring quality of the American revolution is really quite as simple and profound as:

"As WE began, so LET US remain, Loyal."