Our Collection

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 #: GLC03902.033 Author/Creator: Watson, Brook (1735-1807) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 July 1783 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 22.5 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy

Indicates that he has heard Mauger decided to sell his lands in Nova Scotia and commends the decision. He estimates that 20,000 loyalists will immigrate there in the wake of the American Revolution. Expresses his desire to return to England and his dependence on the British government sending a ship. Displaying his staunchly pro-British perspective his states: "The People of this Independent country are run a muck, and will soon become objects of Compassion. The unfortunate People who they are now driving to seek refuge will very soon be envied by the Lawless wretches who now persecute them." Also criticizes the Revolution by paraphrasing Montesquieu. 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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