2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
Autograph letter signed, “William Jackson” an imprisoned loyalist merchant, 4pp. legal folio, separations at folds, a few tears repaired with archival mending tape, otherwise good. "Boston Gaol,” July 6, 1776 to “The Honorable United Congress at Philadelphia,” complaining of his imprisonment and begging for a specific charge to be laid against him. He writes, in small part: " ... Being an Inhabitant of this Town and a Freeholder. .. therein I should think proper (that was not repugnant to the laws) to the settling the unhappy differences subsisting between this and the Mother County - when Govr. Hutchinson being sent for from his Government it were known he was well Acquainted with the Constitution of this Country and as it was thought he could be of service thereto upon his Arrival in England an Address was set on foot by a number of respectable Merchts. and others of this Town to Influence him to use his Endeavour's thereto, among the number I also set my name and upon no other motive. Upon Genl. Gage's Arrival...respect was thought due to him, and Address of Congratulation was drawn up and presented him begging his assistance to prevent the unhappiness that was like to prevail in this Country which I also sign 'd. Genl Gage's leaving this Province the command being in General Howe he Issued a Proclamation for the Inhabitants to Associate themselves and bear Arms' in defence of the town, being what I did noting it was my duty ... ". Jackson continues, noting what other ways he fulfilled his public duty during the British occupation of Boston in 1775-6 but declares that "I have never borne Arms nor done one single moments duty against this Country. General Howe's quitting this Town in so short a time as he did ... attended with the utmost confusion and gave no one time to settle his thoughts what to do with themselves or property, but the past unhappy situation we had been in this Town I finally concluded to take the Opportunity to go to Halifax ... from thence to England until the unhappy disputes were settled .. ." Wentworth did not make it and was arrested in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, then was escorted under guard on the orders of the Committee of Safety. He further states: " .. .As soon as we came out of the Inn we received Blow's, mud, Stones, Eggs, and every other abuse and proceeded to Boston being 40 Miles on foot, from whence we was again carried to Watertown 9 miles before the late Council and being each separately ask’d a few Questions and not properly Examined was sent back to Boston ... denied the use of pen Ink and paper and Candle light not suffer'd to speak to anyone but in presence of the keeper. . .". Not only was Jackson placed under arrest, his property was confiscated as well. He appeared again before the council, but they were divided as what to do with him. Thus, he now addressed the Continental Congress in a plea to recover his confiscated property. An incredible document allowing a greater understanding of what is was like to be on the "wrong side" of the American Revolution. The British army and navy sailed away from Boston on March 17, 1776. According to the April 8, 1776 Boston Gazette, William Jackson was the owner of an escaping Tory loyalist ship which Captain Manly had captured with a prize estimated to be worth £35,000 with the goods aboard. A brazier, or maker and seller of brass goods, Jackson had become notorious for defying the Whigs’ nonimportation boycott in 1769-70. He may have been unpopular even before then since the fire that destroyed the center of town in 1760 had started in his store, the sign of the Brazen Head. However, Jackson had not held appointments under the royal government, and therefore the new authorities couldn’t convict him of anything. After getting out of jail, he tried to settle back into life in Boston.
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