Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03902.61

Author/Creator: Hinshelwood, Archibald (fl. 1765)

Place Written: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 19 August 1765

Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 23 x 18.5 cm.

Summary of Content: 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.

People: Hinshelwood, Archibald , fl. 1765., Mauger, Joshua, 1725-1788.

Historical Era: American Revolution, 1763-1783

Full Transcript: Halifax 19th August 1765~, Dear Sir, , I had the pleasure to receive your letter by Troup, and am greatly obliged to you for your kind rememberance of me, and the pains you have taken to get me appointed for the disposal of the Stamps in this Province; altho I have had no advice of your Success yet I observe my name stands for that office in the Boston News Paper, with several more who are to act in the other provinces, some of whom are, I hear, already arrived upon the Continent. , Sometime ago I wrote to you by the way of New York under Major Genl Gage’s Cover, which I hope you have received, and that something may have been attempted to continue my office as Secry. to the Commanding Officer, I wrote at the same time to [2] to my old friend General Monekton, and to Colonel Wm. Amherst, upon the same subject; what these may produce I cannot tell, but I assure you Major Hamilton, who commanded here till relieved, has recommended me in the warmest and most friendly manner so Major General Gage to be continued as Secretary in the Military Department and has backed it with the strongest Reasons that can possibly be vizt. the frequent change of Commanding officers, and their being unacquainted with the many Transactions to be gone through in that department, until duly , the, informed by a person thoroughly acquainted with, and versant in T former management of affairs. If Genl. Gage should be of Major Hamilton’s opinion, and recommend it to the Lords of the Treasury, I flatter my self that it will be of great weight with their Lordships. ~, There is a violent spirit of opposition raised on the Continent against the execution of the Stamp Act, the mob in Boston have carried it very high [3] high against Mr. Oliver the Secry (a Town born child) for his acceptance of an office in consequence of that act. They have even proceeded to some violence, and burnt him in effigy. They threaten to pull down & burn the Stamp Office row building, and that they will hold every man as Infamous that shall presume to carry the Stamp Act into Execution; so that it is thought Mr. Oliver will resign. , I don’t find any such turbulent spirit to prevail among us, if it should, the means are in our Hands to prevent any tumults or Insults; what the consequences may be in the Colonies who have no military force to keep the rabble in order, I cannot pretend to say., It gave me the highest concern to see by some of the news papers, that the former member’s son had carried the Election for poole in opposition to you, altho’ by a very small majority; I hope none of your friends deserted you upon that occasion; - Disappointments of this sort are common, and very often things take new Turns; for as people’s views differ their humours & inclinations will lead them [4] them. I wish you had had Michl. with you, he is more calculated for affairs of that sort than you could well conceive. , I beg my best respects to good Mrs. Mauger and to my friendly & punctual Correspondent Mrs. D’Auvergne, (to whom I cannot write by this conveyance b[text loss] so extremely hurried dispatching the business of the 10th Regt. now embarking) and that you will accept of the same from him who is at all times , Dear Sir, your most obliged and, most grateful hble. Servant, Archd Hinshelwood , , [docket], Archibald Hinshelwood

Keywords/Subjects: Canada, Global History and US Foreign Policy, Global History and US Foreign Policy, Government & Civics, Stamp Act, Taxes or Taxation, Military History, Mobs & riots, Election, Politics

Sub Era: Road to Revolution

LOC Search Terms: Boston (Mass.)--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775., Halifax (N.S.)--History., United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783., Massachusetts--History--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775., Great Britain. Stamp Act (1765)., United States--Politics and government--1761-1770., Great Britain--Politics and government--1761-1770., United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Causes.

Resource: A report on reaction to the Stamp Act, 1765