“A Copy of Mr. Ingersoll’s Letter to Capt. Jno. Lawrence Apl. 10, 1766”

New Haven, Connecticut, 1766. 1 page. 150 words. Small 4to. Small lower left portion of manuscript torn off where recipients name would likely appear, perhaps intentionally, due to sensitivity of content. Folds, light foxing. 1 page. 150 words. Small 4to. An interesting letter, either copied for—as docketed—or in the actual hand of Jared, Royal official and lawyer. A Connecticut symbol of the hated Stamp Act; Ingersoll Sr.‘s effigy was burned in numerous towns and he was reviled in newspapers as well as harassed by the Sons of Liberty until he was forced (truncated) to resign his post.
Previous to these events, Ingersoll was friends with Benjamin Franklin, and both men were persuaded in England by Secretary of State George Grenville that the 1765 Stamp Act was an unfortunate necessity. After this meeting, Franklin convinced urged Ingersoll to accept the office of Connecticut’s stamp distributor, which Ingersoll did. Neither men, however, were prepared for the extraordinary backlash they would face when they returned to the Colonies and news of the Stamp Act’s passage spread and its obnoxious nature grew.
Here, in 1766, Ingersoll writes to a Captain Jonathan Lawrence; essentially disclaiming that Lawrence applied to Ingersoll for a role as a Stamp Agent “...you never did in any way or manner whatsoever apply to me to be an under distributor of Stamps to the best of my knowledge and belief...” Ingersoll provides more details, perhaps to cover his statement: “...I remember very well that I expected you would have applied, for it was no Treason then so do do, and that I a little wondered afterwards that you did not...” Ingersoll then concludes, perhaps somewhat ruefully given his quickly descending political fortunes: “I hope it won’t be long before it will be that not a matter of such great Consequence whether a person applied to me for that business or not...”
These sentiments would not prove true. Jared Ingersoll, Sr.‘s political career in Connecticut was finished by his role as a Stamp Act officer and he removed to Philadelphia. This letter appears to be chronologically positioned shortly after Jared Ingersoll, Jr. was deposed by mob of his title as Stamp Act Officer. It is possible that Captain John Lawrence (or Jonathan Lawrence) was, himself, being pressured to profess his loyalty to the American cause and requested Ingersoll transmit this letter on his behalf.
Ingersoll, Sr.‘s son, Jared Jr. would become a future American statesman, one who would later served in the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention. His sympathies to the American Cause would cause a breach between he and his father, with the son becoming increasing favorable to the American colonies.
See ANB. (Inventory #: 304387)