标题: Loyalists in Ameican Revolution [打印本页] 作者: choi 时间: 12-11-2010 11:46 标题: Loyalists in Ameican Revolution 本文通过一路BBS站telnet客户端发布
Thomas Fleming, Against Rebellion; Why did some colonials remain loyal to
the king? Wall Street Journal, Nov. 17, 2010.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703506904575592613344540820.html
(book review on Thomas B. Allen, Tories; Fighting for the King in America’s
First Civil War. Harper Collins, 2010)
Quote: "How many Tories resided in the colonies at the outbreak of war?
Using the latest research, Mr. Allen reports that the old estimate—a third
of Americans—is outdated; under scrutiny, the number has dwindled to about
20%, or roughly half a million people. But they were a combative minority:
When war came, loyalists formed more than 50 military units that often
fought well beside their British allies."
Note:
(a) duck (vt): "to thrust under water"
All definitions are from www.m-w.com.
(b) Tarring and feathering
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarring_and_feathering
(c) fraternize (vi):
"1: to associate or mingle as brothers or on fraternal terms
2a : to associate on close terms with members of a hostile group especially
when contrary to military orders"
(d) The article mentioned "After the Continental Army narrowly averted total
collapse in 1776." It alluded to Battle of Long Island, fought on August 27
, 1776 in which George Washington lost New York.
(e) gibbet (n): "GALLOWS"
(f) obeisance (n; Anglo-French from obeissant, present participle of obeir
to obey):
"1: a movement of the body made in token of respect or submission : BOW
2: acknowledgment of another's superiority or importance : homage <makes
obeisance to her mentors>"
(g) Halifax, Nova Scotia derived its name from George Montague-Dunk, 2nd
Earl of Halifax (1716-1771).
Halifax, West Yorkshire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax,_West_Yorkshire
(The name Halifax is said to be a corruption of the Old English words for
Holy and Face, part of the local legend that the head of John the Baptist
was buried here after his execution. The legend is almost certainly medieval
rather than ancient)
(h) Sierra Leone
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Leone
(capital and largest city: Freetown)
Quote:
"European contacts with Sierra Leone were among the first in West Africa. In
1462, Portuguese explorer Pedro da Cintra mapped the hills surrounding what
is now Freetown Harbour, naming shaped formation Serra de Leão (
Portuguese for Lion Mountains). The Italian rendering of this geographic
formation is Sierra Leone, which became the country's name.
"In 1787, a plan was established to settle some of London's "'Black Poor' in
Sierra Leone in what was called the 'Province of Freedom.' * * * Many of
the 'black poor' were African Americans, who had been promised their freedom
for joining the British Army during the American Revolution,