Colonial NY Significant Trade Document: Assembly Displays "instances of their disrespect and…artifullness to her Majesty"

A clerically written contemporary important letter sent by Queen Anne's Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to Robert Hunter (1666-1734), Colonial Governor of New York and New Jersey. Written in Whitehall on January 12, 1712. On cream laid paper. The 1p document is inscribed in clerical script, and secretarially signed by the Earl of Winchelsea as "Winchelsea," Robert Moncton as "Rt. Moncton," Charles Turner as "Chas. Turner," George Bailie as "Geo. Bailie," and Arthur Moore as "Arthr. Moore" at bottom. Expected wear including overall toning, paper folds, and minor chipped edges. Repaired verso. 7.75" x 12.125."

This letter from Whitehall reassured Governor Hunter that he had Queen Anne's support against New York colonists who had attempted to collect public funds and spend them. In the eyes of the crown, money collection was a royal prerogative. The Assembly's attempt to do so was thus an egregious reversal of procedure, and demonstrated a "disrespect and…artifullness to her Majesty." Though this document preceded the American Revolution by some six decades, it anticipates that conflict since it is predicated on the same ideological basis. We see similar language here--"Inherent right[s]"-- that would later be championed as "natural and inalienable rights." In 1712, New York colonists wanted to spend their own money; three generations later, they demanded political representation and then sovereignty.

In part, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"Extract of a Letter from the Lords for Trade + Plantations to Govr. Hunter of New York… The assembly's pretence of an Inherent right to dispose of the money of the Freemen of New York esclusive of the Counsill - is altogether groundless, they only sit as an assembly and are part of the Legislation (as is also the Counsill) by virtue of a power in her Majesty's Commissn to them, without wch they could not be ellected to serve in assembly, and consequently their assuming a right no ways inherent in them is a violation of the Constitution of the Government of that Province and is abrogatory of Her Majestys Royal Perogative - If therefore upon your acquainting them with what we now write upon this subject, and what we writ in you in our Letter of the of the 13th November last they still persist you may acquaint them that such measures will be taken here as may be affectual to assert her Majesty's undoubted perogative in that Province and to provide for the necessary support of god# - The assemblys adjoining themselves the ist. 29th of November 1711 to the first Thursday in April following after our having signified your intention of doing it and their nameing measures as to Collect the public money when her Majesty has appointed an offr for that purpose are other instances of their disrespect and and artifullness to her Majesty, all wch shall be taken notice of and proper remedies applied if the next letters inform us of their having changed their behaviour…"

Robert Hunter served as Colonial Governor of New York and New Jersey between 1710-1720, during the last four years of Queen Anne's reign. Among his chief accomplishments was skillful negotiation between various religious groups, and the successful resettlement of 3,000 German refugees in New York. In addition to politics, Hunter also wrote "Androboros" (1714), the first play written and published in North America.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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