“Our conquest, having been completed, carries with it absolute ownership of property conquered from the enemy State, including debts as well as personal or real property.”[108]
The richest man in New England was on a level with the poorest. However much wealth he might have lying in the banks, he could draw only enough for daily food. He could not take anything from his safety deposit vaults. They were guarded by armed sentries who permitted access only to those who came accompanied by officers.
This condition would last, as the invaders informed the people, until a complete list of all funds had been made.
In every financial department of cities and towns were uniformed men demanding cash statements and lists of assessed valuations for the purpose of apportioning the amount of contribution to be levied on each community.
While the enemy was going thus systematically to work to ascertain the full money value of his prize, he made requisitions for immediate needs in every place occupied by him. The troops demanded hay, oats, corn and other forage. They paid for the supplies with written papers that acknowledged receipt; but it was noticed that these receipts did not promise payment.[109]
$50,000 a Day Levied
In Boston the municipal authorities were informed that the city was subject to a cash levy for the support of troops at the rate of $1 daily for each man of the occupying army, making an amount payable in bank funds of $50,000 a day.[110]
The authorities had no recourse except to find the money. Nominally in control, they were held rigorously to account for the obedience of their city. The Headquarters Staff of the invading army had possession of the State House, and from this point sent out brief orders.
Prominent among the notices that were posted here and in all public places of Boston was the announcement of the institution of the new government. It was:
“On and after this date the City of Boston is under the rule of the Headquarters Staff of this army. The present civil officials of the city will continue their functions. A continuance of existing civil and penal laws, and the exercise of legislative, executive and administrative duties are permitted under the sanction and with the participation of the military government.”[111]