Mauger, Joshua, 1725-1788 Archive of correspondence re: Nova Scotia politics and mercantile affairs [partially decimalized]

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Also mentions the Stamp Act, Bunker Hill and early Revolutionary War. Joshua Mauger Collection. [various places]: 343 items, 1619-1789 (bulk: 1763-1785). 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. Mauger's son-in-law James D'Auvergne writes on politics and the Revolution. Item-level inventory available. .250-.253 in bound manuscript flat box (Range 3A, shelf 28).

GLC#
GLC03902
Type
Header Record
Date
1758-1788
Author/Creator
Mauger, Joshua, 1725-1788
Title
Archive of correspondence re: Nova Scotia politics and mercantile affairs [partially decimalized]
Place Written
Various Places
Pagination
343 items.
Primary time period
American Revolution, 1763-1783
Sub-Era
Road to Revolution
Mauger, Joshua, 1725-1788
Merchants and Trade
Commerce
Finance
Canada
Global History and US Foreign Policy
Politics
Stamp Act
Revolutionary War
Military History
Letterbook
Caribbean
Health and Medical
Battle
Navy
Revolutionary War General
Military Provisions
Loyalist
Refugees
Coins and Currency

Showing 20 of 345 records

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Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

18 October 1763

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Discusses ships, Mauger's brother and the price of beaver fur.

GLC03902.001
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

25 October 1763

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

The price of beaver is low so he will wait before trying to sell the shipment. Also mentions rising bankruptcy among English merchants. He is ill.

GLC03902.002
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

25 June 1765

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

A Captain Richard Linthorne from Poole wishes to purchase a ship. Watson hopes the captain's destination is Halifax or Holland rather than America; any number of ships are willing to go to the former destinations. [Written during the stamp act...

GLC03902.003
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

19 December 1765

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Discusses business matters. Reports at length on his talk with Lord Halifax about the Stamp Act and the situation in America. Provides a view into the British debate over handling the discord in the American colonies in such a way that will both...

GLC03902.004
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

18 July 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Regarding finances. He needs records from Mauger's bankers to make his account current.

GLC03902.005
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

8 August 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Informs Mauger that his letters will be sent by the "Adamant." Lord Hillsborough has been removed and succeeded by Lord Dartmouth. (Playfully misquotes Churchill.)

GLC03902.006
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

27 August 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Regarding finances. The "Adamant" sailed the day before. Mentions the arrival of other ships and thinks wheat speculation will do well this year.

GLC03902.007
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

31 October 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Business accounts mentions Mr. Tyson [a friend of Mauger's] has died and his wife is very ill. Watson sent his wife to the country to protect her health. The government intends to take over the affairs of the India Company.

GLC03902.008
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

5 November 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

He thinks Mr. Butler may be entitled to a refund of £ 150. He visited Mrs. Tyson and she is recovering.

GLC03902.009
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

6 November 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Regarding a refund for Mr. Butler.

GLC03902.010
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

8 December 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Regarding Mauger's apparent illness. Their letters were detained on a ship and now must be picked up from Poole.

GLC03902.011
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

16 December 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

He has forwarded Mauger a letter from Mr. Butler.

GLC03902.012
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

19 December 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Encloses bank post bills; the Adamant has arrived safely in Halifax; ship arrived at Boston.

GLC03902.013
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

22 December 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Mrs. Tyson is deathly ill. Her doctor has advised her to go to Bath. The Adamant is kept off coast by easterly winds, so it will not be able to sail on time.

GLC03902.014
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

29 December 1772

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

He did visit Mrs. Tyson and she is much better. The winds have also died down.

GLC03902.015
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

4 January 1773

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Four Principal Houses [banks] in Holland have stopped payment, forcing as many Houses in London to do the same. He notes that : "The Jews suffer most severely and its thought many great Houses will be greatly Injur'd."

GLC03902.016
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

15 October 1774

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Mauger has been re-elected to parliament for Poole. Watson impatiently awaits a ship from Boston but fears it will bring bad news. ". . .this Country have [sic] enacted Laws they cannot enforce and the Americans have Advanced too far to retreat....

GLC03902.017
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

8 November 1774

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Acknowledges a letter to his clerk, Mr. Pitt. Mauger is ill. Docketing reads: "Praising the behaviour of his kinsman Pitt."

GLC03902.018
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

21 October 1776

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

Watson, a merchant and British soldier, informs Mauger that he will remain in Canada until 10 November 1776. Mentions Captains Douglas and Abbott. Reports that in October, "the Two Little Inland Fleets first met each other about 10 o Clock in the...

GLC03902.019
Collection Item
Autograph letter signed

to Joshua Mauger

22 July 1777

Watson, Brook, 1735-1807

There is no word of the "Adamant" which should have returned from Nova Scotia long ago. A ship arrived with letters from Admiral Montague describing how the British Frigate "Fox" was taken by two American ships, The "Handcock" [sic] and the "Boston...

GLC03902.020