Exile

After the war ended, the runaway slaves and the Loyalists fled the United States. Some ran to England, Florida, and the West Indies, but the majority made their homes in Nova Scotia, Canada. Others that could not escape were abandoned to the Americans, sold in the West Indies, or traded for Loyalist prisoners. Still others were captured by their former masters as they awaited transport.

Hundreds of slaves were kidnapped by their former masters as they walked down the street or slept in their beds. British General Carlton took a stand and informed General Washington that since the blacks were free at the time the Treaty of Paris was signed they should remain free. Washington maintained that the slaves were stolen property and should be returned to their masters.

British General Carlton promised Washington that the former masters would receive compensation for their freed slaves. Certificates of freedom were issued to all slaves evacuating New York. The records of those intending to evacuate the city became known as Carleton's Book of Negroes. Thousands of blacks that were recorded in this book were granted their freedom and in most cases evacuated to Nova Scotia. ¹