[siebert] the AMERICAN loyalists 21 



ist women and children led in by two men, probably under the white 

 flag.* Early in March, 1780, a flag arrived at Point au Fer "with 20 

 sleighs, bringing in seventy-three men, women and children, exclu- 

 sive of drivers." The letter containing this information adds in post- 

 script that thirty-two persons had just arrived. f Another letter an- 

 nouncing the arrival of families is that of William Fraser to his sons, 

 Captain William, Jr., and Thomas, who were stationed at the Yam- 

 aska blockhouse near Sorel. It is dated "Near Ft. George, May 10, 

 1780," and as the location of the sons was unknown to the parent, 

 the missive was simply addressed to them in the " Province of Canada." 

 The revelation of the hardships endured by these fugitives is so typical 

 of the trials of this class in their efforts to reach relatives and friends, 

 who had already claimed the protection of the land of refuge, that 

 the Fraser letter is deserving of more than passing notice. It told 

 the sons that their mother, wives, and children were in good health 

 that their father had got permission in the previous fall to remove to 

 Canada, had sold off a great part of his moveables, but, being delayed, 

 had obtained a pass to send on the women and children. However, 

 the drivers of the two sleds employed for the purpose had found the 

 creeks unfrozen and the roads bad, and had left the party at Lake 

 George, except Mrs. Fraser, Sr., and one of the boys, who had re- 

 turned with the sleds. The letter went on to say that when the ground 

 had become settled Mr. Fraser secured a wagon to take Mrs. Fraser 

 back to the party, in the expectation of a flag from Canada as soon 

 as the lake should be open, but that they had waited so long that they 

 had almost given up hope. The letter stated further that they were 

 living chiefly at the expense of the poor loyalists and closed with the 

 pathetic appeal; "I have Turn'd myself out of Doors for y'r sakes and 

 for God's sake Don't you Neglect us But Do y'r Best to get us into 

 Canada." t It is pleasant to know that these people reached their 

 destination, found their relatives, and that the aged father was granted 

 a pension, albeit a small one, for his loyalty. Protected by the symbol 

 .of amity, additional families from the colonies were brought to St. 

 Johns about September 10,* and others were sent back from Pointe 

 au Fer in the foUowing month with a letter to the commanding officer 

 at Albany.^ In May, 1781, Colonel Tupper wrote from the latter 

 place that he was sending in women and children who wished to j oin their 

 husbands and fathers and that he trusted that those in Canada would 



* Can. Arch., Ib87, 346. 



tibid., 347. 



JHaldimand Papers, B. 214, p. 190. 



*Can. Arch., 1887, 350. 



« Ibid., 352. 



