X HE meafures taken with regard to the eftates and poffeffions of the rebels, com- monly called tories?
A tory has been properly defined to be a traitor in thought but not in deed. The only defcription, by which the laws have endeavoured to come at them, was that of non-jurors, or perfons refufing to take the oath of fidelity to the ftate. Perfons of this defcription were at one time fub- jefted to double taxation, at another to treble, and laftly were allowed retribution, and placed on a level with good citizens.
It may be mentioned as a proof both of the lenity of our government, and unani- mity of its inhabitants, that though this war has now raged near feven years, not a fingle execution for treafon has taken place.
Under this query I will ftate the mea- fures which have been adopted as to Bri- tifli property, the owners of which ftand on a much fairer footing than the tories. By our laws, the fame as the Englifti in this refpe6t, no alien can hold lands, nor alien enemy maintain an aftion for money, or other moveable thing. Lands acquired or held by aliens become forfeited to the ftate; and, on an aftion by an alien enemy to recover money, or other moveable property, the defendant may plead that he is an alien enemy* This extinguifhes his right in the hands of the debtor or holder of bis moveable property. By our feparation from Great-Britain, Britiih fubjefts became aliens, and being at war, they were alien enemies. Their lands were of courfe forfeited, and their debts irrecoverable. The affembly however pafTed laws, at various times, for faving their property. They firft fequeftered their lands, Haves, and other property on their farms in the hands of commiffioners, who were moftly the confidential friends or agents of the owners, and direded their clear profits to be paid into the treafury: