American Records in the House of Lords Archive, 1621-1917

This collection from the House of Lords Record Office contains documents relating to North America and its impact upon British trade, strategy, and foreign relations. The papers cover a broad period, from the establishment of the first European colonies in America to the United States’ declaration of war on Germany. For convenience, they are organised thematically. The core themes are the slave trade, American papers with a focus on the revolution, Canadian papers, British relations with Spain and France, British relations with other countries, military policy, and commerce. This collection is therefore an ideal resource for those who wish to study the history of Britain’s relationship with and to North America. 

Note: The items are listed first by theme, then sub-category, and lastly by year. The item reference numbers correspond to the items' locations within Minchinton and Harper's guide.

The distresses of the people are compleated by several late Acts of Parliament which they concieve to deprive of some of their most essential rights and liberties

Governor of Rhode Island, 1765, Sam Ward: American Papers, 1621-1916; Revolution, 1766 part 3; img 2

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Insights

Canadian records include the original letters from Governor Edward Cornwallis; a military man, he was Canada's first Governor.
The term 'American Papers' is used to refer to northern America in this case, these records cover the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
These papers have already been arranged by theme and year, this is the first known arrangement of them by theme.
The slavery records here are the earliest known items on the slave trade and on attempts to deal with the conduct of slave owners.

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