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Letter to Editor
December 17, 1816
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A letter to the editors reflects on British policy for compensating citizens' losses during the War of 1812 in Upper Canada, quoting a 1815 proclamation appointing commissioners to handle claims, amid US Congress discussions on similar indemnity for American citizens.
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Full Text
ON PRIVATE LOSSES IN WAR
TO THE EDITORS.
Since the discussion has commenced in Congress on the construction of the law for affording indemnity for a certain description of losses sustained by our citizens during the late war, my attention has been recalled to the following proceeding of our late enemy on this subject. I do not propose to enter into the inquiry, how far it is required by justice that the evils and losses of war, like its benefits, should be equally dispensed throughout a nation like this: that is a question too solemn, to be lightly treated—too profound for my superficial acquaintance with the laws and usages of nations. It appears by the following proclamation of the British authorities in Upper Canada, that their policy has been to compensate sufferers for all losses, whether "occasioned by the enemy, his majesty's troops, or the Indians in defence of the province" of Upper Canada.
M.
From the York Gazette, Upper Canada, of the 23d December, 1815.
Lieutenant Governor's Office,
December 21, 1815
"His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor has been pleased, under authority of one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, to appoint the Hon. Chief Justice, the Hon. William Dummer Powell, the Hon. and Rev. Dr. John Strachan, Lieut. Col. Battersby, and George Crookshank, Esq. Assistant Commissary General, Commissioners, to assemble at York on the 2d of January next, to receive claims from his Majesty's subjects for losses occasioned by the enemy, his Majesty's troops, or the Indians, in defence of the province; all which claims, properly authenticated, must be transmitted to the Lieut. Governor's Office, before the 2d of February next, accompanied by a certificate that the claimant has received no compensation for any part of the loss stated in his claims.
"His Excellency has also been pleased to appoint Wm. Kemble, Esq. Secretary to the said Commission.
By his Excellency's command,
WILLIAM HATTON, Sec'y."
TO THE EDITORS.
Since the discussion has commenced in Congress on the construction of the law for affording indemnity for a certain description of losses sustained by our citizens during the late war, my attention has been recalled to the following proceeding of our late enemy on this subject. I do not propose to enter into the inquiry, how far it is required by justice that the evils and losses of war, like its benefits, should be equally dispensed throughout a nation like this: that is a question too solemn, to be lightly treated—too profound for my superficial acquaintance with the laws and usages of nations. It appears by the following proclamation of the British authorities in Upper Canada, that their policy has been to compensate sufferers for all losses, whether "occasioned by the enemy, his majesty's troops, or the Indians in defence of the province" of Upper Canada.
M.
From the York Gazette, Upper Canada, of the 23d December, 1815.
Lieutenant Governor's Office,
December 21, 1815
"His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor has been pleased, under authority of one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, to appoint the Hon. Chief Justice, the Hon. William Dummer Powell, the Hon. and Rev. Dr. John Strachan, Lieut. Col. Battersby, and George Crookshank, Esq. Assistant Commissary General, Commissioners, to assemble at York on the 2d of January next, to receive claims from his Majesty's subjects for losses occasioned by the enemy, his Majesty's troops, or the Indians, in defence of the province; all which claims, properly authenticated, must be transmitted to the Lieut. Governor's Office, before the 2d of February next, accompanied by a certificate that the claimant has received no compensation for any part of the loss stated in his claims.
"His Excellency has also been pleased to appoint Wm. Kemble, Esq. Secretary to the said Commission.
By his Excellency's command,
WILLIAM HATTON, Sec'y."
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Historical
Political
What themes does it cover?
Military War
Politics
What keywords are associated?
War Losses
British Compensation
Upper Canada
1815 Proclamation
Indemnity Claims
York Gazette
What entities or persons were involved?
M.
To The Editors.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
M.
Recipient
To The Editors.
Main Argument
the british authorities in upper canada compensated subjects for all war losses caused by the enemy, troops, or indians, as shown in a 1815 proclamation, contrasting with ongoing us congress discussions on limited indemnity for citizens' losses in the late war.
Notable Details
Quotes British Proclamation From York Gazette, December 23, 1815
Appoints Commissioners Including Hon. Chief Justice, Hon. William Dummer Powell, Hon. And Rev. Dr. John Strachan, Lieut. Col. Battersby, George Crookshank
Claims Due By February 2, 1816, With Authentication And No Prior Compensation Certificate