These claims for compensation by Black Loyalists are typical
of those in the register of the Parliamentary Commission. The documents
shown here refer to the cases of John Jackson, Prince Prince and
Anthony Smithers, none of whom received payment from the Commission.
In Jackson's case, the Commission's attitude is explicit:
'He like all the other Blacks pretends to be freeborn in
which Circumstance likewise we Conclude that we are deceived for
probably in fact (instead of being Sufferers by the War) most
of them have gained their Liberty and therefore come with every
ill grace to ask for the bounty of Government.'
These accounts also give an insight into the experiences of the
Loyalists during the war.
AO 12/99, f. 83 (3 Sept 1783)
AO 12/99, f. 29 (3 Sept 1783)
AO 12/99, f. 361 (1 Sept 1783)