(AMERICAN REVOLUTION PRELUDE) The Representations of Govern

Sale 2687 - Lot 19

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(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--PRELUDE.) The Representations of Governor Hutchinson . . . Laid Before the General-Assembly of the Massachusetts-Bay. [2], 94 pages. 8vo, contemporary ¼ calf over marbled boards, moderate wear; lacking free endpapers, moderate foxing, some ink markings and calculations, bottom margin of final leaf excised; 3 early Laighton family signatures. Boston: Edes & Gill, 1773

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These controversial letters were written in 1768 and 1769 by Thomas Hutchinson (then the royal lieutenant governor of Massachusetts), his secretary Andrew Oliver, and others. Writing to the Prime Minister's office in England, they discussed ways to increase royal control over the colonies, and famously suggested "abridgement of what are called English liberties." By 1772, Hutchinson was the governor and increasingly unpopular. The letters were leaked to Benjamin Franklin, who then sent them to Massachusetts for private circulation among Hutchinson's opponents. Samuel Adams helped stir up rumors of their contents, even before they were first published in the week of 10 June 1773. The Boston Tea Party and Hutchinson's departure from Massachusetts followed a few months later.

These letters were originally published in mid-June 1773 as "Copy of Letters Sent to Great-Britain." They are here published under a new title with the addition of the colony's House of Representatives proceedings through 28 June.

Adams, American Independence 96e; Evans 12820; Howes H851 ("fanned revolutionary sentiment in America more than any other book of the period"); Sabin 34085.