Note 155 — IV. THE LOYALISTS.

Franklin’s Memoirs, vol. i. pp. 218, 220. An amusing instance of the prevailing ignorance in regard to American affairs even among its friends is given by Benjamin Vaughan in a note in Franklin’s Memoirs, vol. v. p. 320. “To guard against the incursions of the Indians a plan was sent over to America (and, as I think, by authority) suggesting the expediency of clearing away the woods and bushes from a tract of land, a mile in breadth, and extending along the back of the colonies.” It is said that this plan was the contribution of Dean Tucker towards the solution of the Indian problem of the day.