(AMERICAN REVOLUTION PRELUDE) Thomas Hutchinson The Letters

Sale 2675 - Lot 24

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(AMERICAN REVOLUTION--PRELUDE.) Thomas Hutchinson. The Letters of Governor Hutchinson . . . Printed at Boston. [4], 142 pages including half-title. 8vo, modern marbled wrappers; minimal wear to contents. In modern cloth folding case. London: J. Wilkie, 1774

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Second English edition. 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.

Adams, American Controversy 73-5e; Howes H851 ("fanned revolutionary sentiment in America more than any other book of the period"); Sabin 34072.