| | 1. | Title: | James Hutchinson Diary (1777) | | | | Dates: | 1777 - 1777 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume
| | | | Locations: | Chesapeake Bay | London | Philadelphia | | | | Abstract: | This incomplete volume describes the culmination of a transatlantic journey taken by James Hutchinson in the winter of 1777 (2/26-3/16). Having completed his medical residency under the supervision under Dr. John Fothergill at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, Hutchinson describes in detail his journey back to Philadelphia, where he would serve as Surgeon General of Pennsylvania. In addition to offering an account of what Hutchison terms a "very disagreeable" transatlantic voyage, this volume includes an essay defending Quakers from attacks by revolutionaries, which might have been intended for publication. (The essay is signed "A Friend to the Liberty of Conscience.") This volume may interest researchers exploring the eighteenth century Atlantic, seafaring, and the Society of Friends in the American Revolution. | | | |
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As described in greater detail in the Early American History note, Hutchinson discusses a host of troubles aboard his ship. Those include concerns about lightning strikes to the ship laden with gun powder (2/26), various issues with bread and meat rations (2/28), and a brief encounter with a French brig that Hutchinson describes as "in almost as bad a situation as ourselves, but able to spare several bottles of spirits and roughly two pounds of cheese" (3/3). Upon reaching landfall in Chesapeake Bay (3/9), Hutchinson devotes the remaining entries his journey back to Philadelphia. At the back of the volume, he encloses an essay defending Quakers against chargers of loyalism, for which a rough transcription is provided below. | | | |
| This incomplete volume describes the culmination of a transatlantic journey taken by James Hutchinson in the winter of 1777 (2/26-3/16). Having completed his medical residency under the supervision under Dr. John Fothergill at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, Hutchinson describes in detail his journey back to Philadelphia, where he would serve as Surgeon General of Pennsylvania. In addition to offering an account of what Hutchison terms a "very disagreeable" transatlantic voyage, this volume includes an essay defending Quakers from attacks by revolutionaries, which might have been intended for publication. (The essay is signed "A Friend to the Liberty of Conscience.") This volume may interest researchers exploring the eighteenth century Atlantic, seafaring, and the Society of Friends in the American Revolution.
As described in greater detail in the Early American History note, Hutchinson discusses a host of troubles aboard his ship. Those include concerns about lightning strikes to the ship laden with gun powder (2/26), various issues with bread and meat rations (2/28), and a brief encounter with a French brig that Hutchinson describes as "in almost as bad a situation as ourselves, but able to spare several bottles of spirits and roughly two pounds of cheese" (3/3). Upon reaching landfall in Chesapeake Bay (3/9), Hutchinson devotes the remaining entries his journey back to Philadelphia. At the back of the volume, he encloses an essay defending Quakers against chargers of loyalism, for which a rough transcription is provided below. View Full Description in New Window | | | | |
Selected Quotations- The back of the journal includes an essay defending the attacks on Quakers by revolutionaries. The essay, signed "A Friend to the Liberty of Conscience," appears to have been intended for publication, although it is not clear if it ever was published: "It is not my business to enquire whether the Quakers at large are either Whigs or Tories, agreeable to the present acceptation of those [term] my private Opinion is that they are not perfectly agreed on the Subject, and belong to neither Class. Leaving this, however for the Subject of another per: I shall venture to affirm with the leave of "common sense" & with the leave of every well meaning violent Patriot, that there never was a more consistent blameless publication made by any religious Body of people, than the address that has been [the] of so much [oblique] it is [put] out as monster, and believed to be such, by those who have not seen it, the man who reads it with attention, and candor will hold it in more esteem. The reader is not to be informed that the Epistle referred to is a religion, and not a Political party that it was published by a sect of Christians who are in conscience opposed to the use of Arms, either for the purpose of offence or Defence. A Sect of Christians who believe that Christ's Kingdom is not of this world and that the Arms of Flesh needs not to be employed in the support of Justice & Truth. It was published too at a time when General How was carrying Fire & Sword through a neighboring State. When by the violence of his Persecution, & Fury of his Arms he terrified many weak minds into submissions, and had prevailed on numbers, and amongst them some Quakers, contrary to their religious profession to withdraw their confidence in Heaven and seek Protection from the feeble Arm of Flesh when they were shrinking under the apprehension of persecution & making their peace with Man, by meanly submitting to human Tests and Oaths or Affirmations, & [sic] Apprehension of either suffering in person or in property had taken what were called Protections, / it must be remembered however that the number of Quakers who did this were compared with those of other Societies / Keeping in our Minds this general Idea of the People, and this short history of the Times let us read the Epistle… The Arbitrary injunctions of ordinances of men, who would compell others to carry on War, & would impose tests not warranted by the Precepts of Christ"—If this is referred only to the Congress it is perfect Toryism, if referred only to the [Commissioners] Lord & Gen. How it is pure Whiggism, but certainly meant equally to both, or either as they may come within the Description the Admonition [wile] neither that of the Whig nor Tory not of a "real Jesuit" but of a sober religious Quaker.—But we shale be Told that part of this sentience is direct treason against the State.—Friends are advised no "to submit to the Arbitrary Injunctions of Men" who would impose "Tests not warranted by the Precepts of Christ or the laws of that happy constitution under which we and other long enjoyed tranquility and Peace"—Nothing can be more clear says the Violent Brawling Whig, than that Quakers are friends to Tyranny and wish for success to the British Arms, yet a man may as soon discover Hebrew, or Arabic in this admonition, as any such Political Sentiment.—It is true they commend such a Civil constitution, under which they have enjoyed an exemption from such Tests are "not warranted by the precepts of Christ."—[this?] was a time when these States connected with Britain enjoyed the Protection of Laws and [those] Laws secured the Liberty of conscience, and an exemption from arbitrary Tests.—These Laws have been trampled on and that constitution has been grossly Violated by the British Parliament in attempting to Tax America without her consent. So say the Quakers and so says every Whig, also the Friends joined others in opposing any impingement on their Liberties, so long as that opposition was carried on consistent with their religious profession.—What then follows from all this? Nothing as far as I can see, only that the Quakers wish to enjoy once more a constitution, which may restore them to the full possession of Religious liberty. Whether they are to enjoy such liberty under the government of a British King or the Government of an American Congress is of no consequence to them, their principles equally forbid them to use Arms either to support an Old Empire or to set up a new one. They pray for Peace but they do not fight for it.—On the whole as the Epistle referred to appeared in a very [perilous time] many people were taught by their fears, and apprehensions to construe it into an active opposition to the independence of America. But the man who considers that the most arbitrary Spies of Despotism, was at that very time practised by the British chiefs, in the Jersies, and that they only, contrary to the Laws, [which] they pretended to support, had been imposing unwarrantable Tests and compelling the People (Quakers as well as others) to submit, and take protections or Hazard both Life and Property.—The man who views the Subject in this light, will be cautious how he [censures] this Epistle, unless he would defend British Tyranny & Usurpation. A friend to Liberty of Conscience"
| | | | Subjects: | American loyalists. | Diaries. | Europe. | Fothergill, John, 1712-1780 | Loyalist | Religion. | Science. | Seafaring life. | Society of Friends. | Travel. | United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783. | | | | Collection: | James Hutchinson diary, February 26, 1777 - March 16, 1777
(Mss.B.H97d.1)
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