The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03902.033 |
| From Archive Folder | The Joshua Mauger Archive: Correspondence regarding Nova Scotia politics and mercantile affairs |
| Title | Brook Watson to Joshua Mauger about Mauger selling his lands in Nova Scotia and loyalist immigration |
| Date | 12 July 1783 |
| Author | Watson, Brook (1735-1807) |
| Recipient | Mauger, Joshua |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Indicates that he has heard Mauger decided to sell his lands in Nova Scotia and commends the decision. He estimates that 20,000 loyalists will immigrate there in the wake of the American Revolution. Expresses his desire to return to England and his dependence on the British government sending a ship. Displaying his staunchly pro-British perspective his states: "The People of this Independent country are run a muck, and will soon become Object of Compassion. The unfortunate People who they are now driving to seek refuge will very soon be envied by the Lawless wretches who now persecute them." Also criticizes the Revolution by paraphrasing Montesquieu. Watson was a member of Parliament. Mauger was a loyalist merchant with business interests in British Nova Scotia. |
| Subjects | Canada Loyalist Refugees Commerce Land Transaction Revolutionary War Military History Transportation Immigration and Migration |
| People | Watson, Brook (1735-1807) Mauger, Joshua (1725-1788) |
| Place written | New York, New York |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Government & Politics; Foreign Affairs |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | From the Joshua Mauger (1725-1788) Collection. Archive of correspondence regarding Nova Scotia politics and mercantile affairs. The greater part of the collection consists of 249 letters to Mauger, dealing primarily with his business interests in Nova Scotia and England. It also includes 4 letterbooks, letter copies written by Mauger while living in Halifax and England, and financial papers such as accounts, bonds and indentures owed to Mauger. Joshua Mauger (1725-1788) was a merchant who built his fortune through trade and alcohol distilling in British Nova Scotia. Mauger used his financial success to influence the politics of Nova Scotia. In 1760, Mauger returned to England but continued to take an active and effective interest in Nova Scotia politics. In 1762, the Nova Scotia House of Assembly chose Mauger to act as their agent in London. He used his influence to help Michael Francklin become the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia in March of 1766. Mauger also served as member of the House of Commons for Poole, England (1768-1780). Mauger’s correspondence details his far-flung business transactions in Nova Scotia, England, Spain, France, Amsterdam, various American colonies, Quebec, and the Caribbean. His correspondents also discuss political events in England, the Stamp Act and the American Revolution. Upon his return to England, Mauger suffered severe, frequent illnesses as a result of the harsh English weather. Highlights include: Brooks Watson’s letters from Montreal in 1776 (#19), describing a naval engagement on Lake Champlain and victory of General Howe on Long Island; from 1782-1783, serving as the Commissary General to the British army under Sir Guy Carleton (# 29-33), he describes the plight of loyalist refugees leaving for Nova Scotia. John Butler, Mauger’s agent in Nova Scotia, urges Mauger to seek the advice of Benjamin Franklin concerning the introduction of paper currency in Nova Scotia (#63), and other letters (#65-67) describe events in the American Revolution and detail concern over the fate of Nova Scotia in the war. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |