2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
HUTCHINSON, Thomas (1711-1780) talented royal official who, over the course of his career, descended from life as a pillar of the community to one of Massachusetts’ most hated villains. In 1765, a Boston mob that wrongly assumed Hutchinson had been a supporter of the hated Stamp Act looted and destroyed his home. In addition to losing expensive furnishings and an extensive wine collection, Hutchinson lost an extremely valuable library of historical documents dating to the earliest days of Massachusetts settlement. Those items became fuel for a huge bonfire that capped the mob’s revels. Deeply stung by these events, Hutchinson's became increasingly conservative in his views. He was appointed governor in 1771. In a series of private letters, Hutchinson expressed his support for firm action against disruptive forces in Massachusetts. This correspondence, sometimes called the “Hutchinson Letters,” fell into his opponents' hands in England and was turned over to Benjamin Franklin, who was then serving as an agent in London. Franklin sent the papers to radical leaders in the colony in return for a pledge of confidentiality; despite that promise, the letters were read publicly by Samuel Adams. At that point Hutchinson lost all political effectiveness, but he persisted in office. In 1772, he warmly greeted a decision to arrange for Crown officials, himself included, to be paid from the royal treasury and not by funds voted by the colonial assembly as precedent dictated. The next year, Hutchinson blindly helped to precipitate the Boston Tea Party by insisting that the controversial tea be brought into port despite warnings from other officials. By 1774, Hutchinson had become a political liability and was replaced as governor by General Thomas Gage, who had both political and military roles to play. Partly-printed Document Signed, “T. Hutchinson” 1p. folio, August 14, 1761, Boston, as Judge of the Probate Wills. Near Fine.
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