Existing comment:
A Standing Army:
Following the French and Indian War, Britain stationed about one-fifth of its army in the colonies.
British troops were stationed in port cities and assigned to frontier outposts from Florida to Nova Scotia. Many colonists viewed these paid professionals with awe and pride. Many others distrusted the red-coasted soldiers -- derisively called lobsterbacks -- fearing that they would carry out the king's bidding even against the opposition of the colonists. "The Troops of George the Third have cross'd the wide altantick not to engage an enemy," complained John Hancock, but to trample "on the rights and liberties of his most loyal subjects." |