The Loyalist Mind: Joseph Galloway and the American Revolution [Hardcover]

John E. Ferling (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1977

A leading political figure in Pennsylvania, Joseph Galloway after 1776 was branded a 'traitor' and a 'cringing, bowing sycophantic Tory.' Galloway's tragedy is shown in this book to have been ideological: he was a strict constitutionalist. In this respect, Dr. Ferling contends, he was a typical Loyalist, generally more principled than self-serving. In 1774, Galloway's Plan of Union lost in the Congress by one vote--a loss that changed the course of history, since Galloway tried to avoid revolution by anticipating the British commonwealth system. In 1775, when the Assembly spurned Galloway's recommendation that it abandon its defiance of Britain, Galloway quit the Assembly and the Congress--whereas Franklin joined the forces that concieved the Declaration of Independence.Galloway served General Howe as a compiler of intelligence reports, as a recruiter of Loyalist troops, and as police commissioner of British occupied Philadelphia. After 1778 he pamphleteered in London to rally the flagging British war effort, and he wrote one of the earliest histories of the 'American Rebellion.' Until his death in exile in 1803, Galloway remained steadfast in his belief that 'the most proper Plan for cementing the two countries together' would have been constitutional, granting 'America the same Rights and Privileges as are enjoyed by the Subjects in Britain.'

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John E. Ferling, the editor of The Home Front During the American Revolution, took his M.A. at Maylor and his Ph.D. at West Virginia University. He currently teaches as West Georgia College.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 168 pages
• Publisher: Pennsylvania State Univ Pr (Txt); Presumed First Edition edition (November 1, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0271005149
• ISBN-13: 978-0271005140
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,446,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Ferling is a leading authority on late 18th and early 19th century American history. He is the author of many books, including Independence, The Ascent of George Washington, Almost a Miracle, Setting the World Ablaze, and A Leap in the Dark. To learn more, please visit his website: www.johnferling.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat Dull and Inconclusive, July 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Loyalist Mind: Joseph Galloway and the American Revolution (Hardcover)

This book paints a decent protrait of Galloway in the years before, during and after the American Revolution. However, Freling does not offer his own opinion of Galloway's historical significance. Overall, a decent book, but a bit tedious at times.