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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC03902.064 |
| From Archive Folder | The Joshua Mauger Archive: Correspondence regarding Nova Scotia politics and mercantile affairs |
| Title | John Butler to Joshua Mauger about the military situation |
| Date | 28 October 1775 |
| Author | Butler, John (1728-1796) |
| Recipient | Mauger, Joshua |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Written by Butler as Mauger's agent in Nova Scotia to Mauger as a British Member of Parliament who was formerly Nova Scotia's agent in London. Mauger was considered the unofficial spokesman of the colony in Parliament. This document contains three letters, all of which appear to be copies. They are dated 28 October 1775 (marked "Triplicate"), 18 November 1775 (marked "Duplicate"), and 29 December 1775. 28 October letter: army is shut up in Boston and "The Rebels" have designs on Canada. Just heard that General Prescott defeated the Americans at St. Johns and that they are retreating. Says New York Governor Tryon has 800 men on Long Island and 1500 more joining him soon. Says Virginia Governor Lord Dunmore has made progress. 18 November letter: relates General Gage's account of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Tells of great losses by the British but says the Americans "run like Deers." Has word from Boston that the Americans are assembling in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but does not think they have the courage to storm Boston. Says he has not received confirmation of American defeats in Canada, but hopes they are true. Disparages the conduct of "our Governor" and says Halifax needs at least 2000 troops to be secured. Relates information dealing with Mauger's various accounts. 29 December letter: strikes a despondent tone. Says he is ill and claims "Canada in the hands of the Rebels & I fear the army will be burnt out of Boston if so they must come here - how these matters will end god knows." Butler was wrong about Canada's capitulation. The Americans were defeated outside Quebec on 31 December. But he was correct on the British retreat from Boston to Halifax, which took place March 1776 |
| Subjects | Canada Global History and Civics Revolutionary War Siege of Boston Military History Battle Battle of Bunker Hill Bravery Death Government and Civics Finance Merchants and Trade Commerce Revolutionary War General Health and Medical |
| People | Dunmore, John Murray, Earl of (1732-1809) Mauger, Joshua (1725-1788) Butler, John (1728-1796) Gage, Thomas (1721-1787) |
| Place written | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Government & Politics |
| 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 |