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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807 to Joshua Mauger

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03902.030 Author/Creator: Watson, Brook, 1735-1807 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 March 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 33 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

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.

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807
Mauger, Joshua, 1725-1788

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