Dudley, Joseph (1647-1720) to Isaac Addinton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02468.12 Author/Creator: Dudley, Joseph (1647-1720) Place Written: Portsmouth, New Hampshire Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 January 1702 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 16 x 20 cm Order a Copy
Dudley, the Royal Governor of Massachusetts, hopes that his subjects will treat the Indians with "all Exactness of friendship," so that any conflicts can be avoided in the near future. Wants to avoid any mischief occurring between the colonists and the Indians for the time being. Asks the recipient of this letter to convey these messages to the people, because he knows them well. Portsmouth was then under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts, as New Hampshire was not yet a separate entity. Addington's name is written in pencil at the bottom of the letter with a question mark after it, indicating he was possibly the recipient of this letter.
Joseph Dudley (1647-1720) was born in Massachusetts, became a member of the General Court, and in 1682 was sent by Massachusetts to London to prevent the threatened revocation of the colony's charter by Charles II. With an eye to his personal advancement, he secretly advised the king to annul the charter; this was done, and Dudley, by royal appointment, became president of the Provisional Council. With the advent of the new governor, Sir Edmund Andros, Dudley became a judge of the superior court and censor of the press. Upon the deposition of Andros, Dudley was imprisoned and sent with him to England, but was soon set free. In 1691-1692, he was Chief Justice of New York, presiding over the court that condemned Leisler. Returning to England in 1693, he was Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Wight and a member of Parliament, and in June 1702, after a long intrigue, secured from Queen Anne a commission as governor of Massachusetts, serving until 1715. His administration was marked, particularly in the earlier years, by ceaseless conflict with the General Court, from which he demanded a regular fixed salary instead of an annual grant. He was active in raising volunteers for the so-called Queen Anne's War. Issac Addington (1645-1715) was Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony 1692-1714. He was also Judge of the Common Pleas Court 1692-1702 and was appointed by Dudley as Chief Justice of Superior Court 1702-1703. Addington also served as clerk, registrar, and judge of the probate court of Suffix County.
Portsmouth, 16, January 1702
Sr
I have sent the Enclosed letters open that you may see what I write to the severall parts, I am greatly affrayd that Either at Woodstock or Quabaug, some mischief will happen I pray that Sabin may be Warned and the Quabaug Men that no breach happen that they be not Self Conceited but follow their orders strictly and use the Indians in this ocasion with all Exactness of friendship and [illegible] their Quarels to Mee and Encourage the Indians to Come to Mee it is the Criticall Minute of the Warr with them if Wee get well into the Summer we may get well out[.] Write either Will or for the Lietenant Governour while he pleases because you are known to the people there.
I am Sr your very humble sevt
JDudley
[docket]
January.16th.1702.
His Excys [illegible]
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