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Collection Reference Number GLC03902.061
From Archive Folder The Joshua Mauger Archive: Correspondence regarding Nova Scotia politics and mercantile affairs 
Title Archibald to Joshua Mauger about the conflict over the Stamp Act
Date 19 August 1765
Author Hinshelwood, Archibald (fl. 1765)  
Recipient Mauger, Joshua  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description A first-person account of the escalating conflict over the Stamp Act from a pro-British perspective. Hinshelwood thanks Mauger for helping him get an appointment for the "disposal of the stamps" in Nova Scotia. Discusses his position as secretary in the military department, observing that the frequent change in commanding officers makes his retention of the position more likely. Comments on resistance to the Stamp Act in Boston, where a mob burned Mr. Oliver, the stamp officer, in effigy and have threatened to burn the stamp office. He sees no opposition in Halifax and comments that they have the military capacity to suppress anything that occurs. Notes hearing that Mauger had lost an election.
Subjects Canada  Global History and Civics  Government and Civics  Stamp Act  Taxes or Taxation  Military History  Mobs and Riots  Election  Politics  
People Hinshelwood, Archibald (fl. 1765)  Mauger, Joshua (1725-1788)  
Place written Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Theme Law; Banking & Economics; Government & Politics; The American Revolution
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
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