You're listening to an Airwave Media Podcast. Hello and thank you for joining the American Revolution.

This week episode 312, the Huddy Asgill affair.

By the spring of 1782, the main continental army under George Washington had settled back into

defensive lines around British occupied New York City. Following their loss at Yorktown,

the British had given up on all offensive operations in America.

Britain had begun discussing peace terms

with American commissioners in Europe,

and many believe the war would soon be over

and British rule in America at an end.

There was one group who feared this result

even more than the leaders in Britain.

They were the loyalists, American colonists who had stood by the king.

They had also risked their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in this dispute.

As it was coming to an end, that was proving to be a bad bet.

They stood to lose everything, including possibly their lives,

if convicted of treason in the newly independent United States.

They were living as outlaws or under British protection and that protection might soon go away.

The loyalists, also called Tories, continued the war from British occupied New York by continuing

raids into New Jersey. Many of these loyalists were New Jersey natives who had taken refuge in New York.

Leading the effort was the royal governor of New Jersey, William Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin's son remained a committed loyalist still fighting to bring the colonies back under crown rule.

Even after Yorktown, the loyalists continued their raids. By some accounts becoming even

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