Skip to main content

Folder 9

 File — Box: 1, Folder: 9

Scope and Contents

J[onathan] B[oucher] to [John James] *, [18 Oct. 1777] 3 pages. Autograph Letter Signed. (A/1/40). The troubles of his sister and her husband, "two idle, lounging people", increase, but he cannot desert them. News from America is better, but had the war not been mismanaged, the Rebellion would have been crushed. Submission of counties in three states to the Kinn's law. He hopes to return; has seen his own library, valued at 1000, offered for sale in an American newspaper and notice of a call for a meeting at "Mr. Harrison's Chapel" formerly Boucher's in a Maryland paper.

Jona[tha]n Boucher, Paddington, [Eng.] to [John James]:, 23 Dec[embe]r 1777 8 pages. Autograph Letter Signed. (A/1/41). Thanks James for his help in the Tordiffs' troubles which seem incomprehensible. The situation in America has deteriorated; the rebels are scoundrels, the Indians are more civilized; many of the leaders, and two- thirds of Washington's army are not Americans. The British Government is rotten at the core, and speeches in Parliament are seditious and treasonable. Is interested in the writing of local history of Cumberland and study of dialects; North America has a pure and uniform pronunciation of the English tongue; distress over Burgoyre's defeat [Saratoga].

Jona[tha]n Boucher, Paddington, [Eng.] to [Mr. John] James, Arthuret, [Eng.], 24 Nov[embe]r 1778 3 pages. Autograph Letter Signed. (A1/42). Has applied for post of Under Secretary of the Society for the Propogation of the Gospel [a post with 80 p.a. which he secured in 1779] and is being supported by Archbishop Cornwallis of Canterbury; praises James' second son John; invites James and his wife to stay with him; is unable to help James with newspapers; gives details of air pumps with cups and balls about which James was inquiring.

J[onathan] B[oucher] to [John James], 11 Sept[embe]r 1779 4 pages. Autograph Letter Signed. (A/1/43).  A worthy lady of his acquaintance may take in Kitty Strange [a protegee of Boucher and James] when she comes to London. His school, for which he has little enthusiasm, has only nine pupils, when this number rises to twelve, he will call in an assistant, preferably John James, who has been helping to prepare some of his writings for publication. If the Bishop [of Carlisle, Edmund Law 1703-87] dies, does James think he will be succeeded by Dr. Graham?

J[onathan] B[oucher] to [John James][, [10 Nov 1779] (date in pencil) 4 pages. Autograph Letter Signed. (incomplete). (A/1/44). Refers once more to the project of John James' coming to help him at his school. He feels he has wasted his efforts writing "a thousand political squibs" and is considering publishing a book of sermons; asks James for some contributions. Mr. Bassenthwaite, who has a school and parish on the Island of Tortola, is looking for an assistant. Nelly's rheumatism is bad, but her physician Dr. Moore is hopeful. Boucher was unable to fore the result of the American war; "If the Rebels seem to have been more successful, they owe it not to their superior wisdom, but superior villainy. And yet, from Howe to Koppel, I firmly believe, all our misfortunes are owing to the incapacity of our Commanders . . . . . Thirteen Colonies, the majority of whose inhabitants wished not to be so lost, yet have been lost." Probably the French and certainly the Spanish have fared worse than Britain. His affairs in Maryland like the times have turned "Topsy Turvy."

Dates

  • Creation: 1759-1803

Creator

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Extent

From the Collection: 2.17 Linear Feet

Language

English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository

Contact: