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Ambrose Serle Essays on North America

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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

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Serle, Ambrose, 1742-1812

Ambrose Serle (1742-1812) was a British colonial official with a long professional interest in North America. In 1772, Serle was appointed under-secretary to William Legge (1731–1801), Second Earl of Dartmouth, Secretary of State for the Colonies. Serle also served from 1776 to 1778 as Secretary to General William Howe (1729–1814), commander of British forces in North America. Serle remained in America until 1780.

Includes seven (previously bound) likely unpublished essay and dispatches on a variety of topics relating to the American colonies, including economics and religion, dating from 1768-1780, by British colonial official, Ambrose Serle (1742–1812). One of the essays is addressed to Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire (1719-1793), or Lord Hillsborough; two are addressed to Thomas Villiers, 1st Earl of Clarendon, or Lord Hyde. Serle wrote six of these essays before publishing his political pamphlet "Americans Against Liberty; or an essay on the Nature and Principles of True Freedom, Shewing that the Designs and Conduct of the Americans Tend only to Tyranny and Slavery" (1775).

These materials were part of 21 other lots of archival papers from Holywell House, Hampshire, home of the Villiers family, earls of Clarendon. These papers chiefly relate to the life and careers of two contemporaries: Henry Hyde, Viscount Cornbury (1710–1753), and Thomas Villiers (1709–1786), created successively Baron Hyde of Hindon (1756) and Earl of Clarendon (1776).

Purchased, 2017 (AM 2017-95).

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This collection was processed by Faith Charlton in March 2017. Finding aid written by Faith Charlton in March 2017.

No materials were separated during 2017 processing.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Author
Faith Charlton
Finding Aid Date
2017
Access Restrictions

Open for research.

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Collection Inventory

"Thoughts on the Fur Trade of the River Mississippi", 1769. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

10 pages

Physical Description

1 folder

"Lusus Politicius; or an Essay on the Pretensions of the Colonies", 1769. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

29 pages

Physical Description

1 folder

"Thoughts upon the Means of Establishing Episcopacy in the Colonies", 1771-1772. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Includes two copies, one with an introduction signed by the author addressed to Lord Hillsborough; 71 pages

Physical Description

1 folder

"A Political Essay" Concerning Rhode Island, 1772 August. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

19 pages

Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled Essay on American Policy Addressed to Lord Hyde, 1768 May 28. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Signed and dated from Lambeth; 10 pages

Physical Description

1 folder

Untitled Essay on the Development of Manufacturing in America Addressed to Lord Hyde, 1768 July 26. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Signed and dated from Lambeth; 7 pages

Physical Description

1 folder

"An Epitome of Some Facts and Thoughts Respecting North America", 1780 January. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

Argues that the American colonies had been a drain on British resources; 18 pages

Physical Description

1 folder

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