1708 Royal Governor Of Boston Asks Queen Anne for Protection from the Enemy

The Royal Governor of Boston asks for protection from the enemy By Queen Anne

Joseph Dudley (1647-1720). Manuscript DS. 1.5 p, 9.75 x 15 in. n.d. Boston (ca 1702-1714). With endorsement and signature of J. Dudley. The document concerns trade with the colonies, in Part: "Understanding from your Excellency that you have lately received from the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Council of Trade and Plantations, a signification of Her Majesty's most gracious intention to promote the Trade by Supplying Her Royal Navy with Pitch, Tarr, Rosin, and other Naval Stores, from these Her Majesty's Plantations with Direction to your self To receive such Proposals from her Majesty's good Subjects as may be further Encouraging and conducive thereto, to be Humbly laid before Her Majesty for Her Royal Consideration in that respect." He goes on to note that "The Importers of These Commoditys have met with much discouragement by the Lowness of the Market, as Wee Have found has been Occasioned by Intersts that Have Runn Counter to the Plantation Trade." He also asks for protection in the form of a Plea to her Majesty to "grant suitable Convoys to all such ships, as carry those Naval stores, from New England to Great Brittain".

Joseph Dudley was born in Roxbury, to one of the founders and colonial magistrate of Massachusetts Bay. Dudley followed as a magistrate serving in the administration of the Dominion of New England (President of the Council, 1686-1689). He was overthrown during the 1689 Boston revolt, but later was appointed Governor of the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire (1702-1715). This address would appear to be as Governor, since it is addressed to "Her Majesty," and Anne became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1702 (to her death in 1714).

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