Autograph Letter, Signed to Joshua SHARPPE, (attorney) and to Edward HUGHES (captain). London, 28th and 30th, March, 1772. A two part autographed letter addressed to Captain Edward Hughes and his attorney Joshua Sharpe from Nova Scotia notables, Joshua Mauger and Brook Watson, on behalf of Lieut-Governor of Nova Scotia, Michael Francklin. The letter is addressed London 30 March 1772 on Francklin's departure for Nova Scotia. The letter relates to a debt owed to Captain Hughes and Francklin's difficulties in paying it. "Mr. Mauger's... Offer of making good the Provincial Notes of Nova Scotia to the amount of Capt. Hughes Demand on Mr. Francklin... has been rejected." The letter is docketed "Capt. Edward Hughes Commanding His Majesty's Ship Sommersett."
London: 1772. folio, 30x 19cm, 4p. (1 page ms letter, & docketed on page 4), paper somewhat toned, script is all clear and legible, very good to fine. Item #43218
Michael Francklin (1720-1782) was the Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia from 1766 to 1773. He had
been involved in mercantile ventures since 1752 in the colony and although wealthy in land ownership, was
noted for being cash-poor. Joshua Mauger (1725-88) was an entrepreneur in Halifax from 1849 to 1760 and
became the largest ship-owner in the Colony. Returning to England, he was appointed Nova Scotia's Agent in
London in 1762. Brook Watson (1735-1807) served as a commissary with the British Army and was prominent
in the expulsion of the Acadians as well as serving at Louisbourg with Wolfe. He was involved in Halifax with
Francklin hence the reference in the Hughes letter. Captain Edward Hughes was the captain of the HMS Somerset
in 1758 to 1762 and again in 1771 to 1774. He served at Louisbourg in 1758 and at Quebec in 1759 and retired
as an admiral after amassing a fortune in prize money. An interesting manuscript from the early days of Halifax
and Nova Scotia.
Price: $750.00