Brook Watson to Joshua Mauger about dissolution of Congress and loyalists moving to Candida - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC03902.030
From Archive Folder	The Joshua Mauger Archive: Correspondence regarding Nova Scotia politics and mercantile affairs
Title	Brook Watson to Joshua Mauger about dissolution of Congress and loyalists moving to Candida
Date	14 March 1783
Author	Watson, Brook (1735-1807)
Recipient	Mauger, Joshua
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Indicates that there is still no mail from England. Reports (falsely) that the Congress has dissolved and the American people desire to reunite with England but, without word from England, his commander can do nothing to take advantage of this development. Discusses his business prospects and notes that he will embark for Nova Scotia in spring. The first ships carrying Loyalists to Nova Scotia will leave next month. He believes these people of property will form a barrier to protect the English constitution and will become the envy of their neighbors. Watson was a member of Parliament. Mauger was a loyalist merchant with business interests in British Nova Scotia.
Subjects	Revolutionary War Military History Global History and Civics Soldier's Letter Continental Congress Congress Loyalist Refugees Law Canada Immigration and Migration
People	Watson, Brook (1735-1807) Mauger, Joshua (1725-1788)
Place written	New York, New York
Theme	The American Revolution; Creating a New Government; Government & Politics
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Background: One of the Revolution's most striking consequences involved the confiscation and auctioning of lands owned by British loyalists, a policy which resulted in wider land distribution. About one hundred thousand loyalists, and many former slaves, left America mainly for Canada or other regions following the Revolution. In the following letter, Brooks Watson, a British merchant, a member of Parliament, a founder of Lloyds of London, a director of the Bank of England, and a Lord Mayor of London, describes loyalist preparations for migrating to Nova Scotia. Joshua Mauger, the recipient of these letters, was a leading Nova Scotia land owner.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Here we are without a Line from England since the first of Novem[be]r consequently in total Darkness respecting Peace or War and that at a time the most critical to the Political Interests of the two Countrys, for the power of the Congress is quite broken, nay dissolved, and the people more disposed than ever, during the war, to reconcile with the Mother Country, yet my Commander in Chief without information, without powers. Coming the Winter my time has been fully employed in settling all my public Accounts, to the end I might be ready to move early in the Spring, this I have completed and am now under orders [as an officer] to hold myself ready to Embark for Nova Scotia.... The Loyalists of this Country, are all preparing to leave it to settle in Nova Scotia.... At least 3000 Souls will Sail hence the beginning of next month, and carry with a body of troops with Cannon...and a very considerable property, a like Number will probably sail for St. Johns at the same time. There you see my Dear friend the Province will at least be settled and that with good People of Property, carrying in their Hearts the most settled Love to the Constitution of England, they will form a Barrier against those of opposite principles, and become the envy of all their Neighbors.

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