Letter to the Albany Committee, 1777

Date

January 1777

Description

A letter to the Albany Committee likely authored by Peter Van Schaack. (This letter appears to be a later draft of the same letter written by Van Schaack, which is held by the New York Historical Society.) Van Schaack protested being banished on the grounds that his goal during the conflict was to maintain equivocal neutrality. He protested his banishment and emphasized the idea of "natural rights" and the right of "every individual" to "choose the state of which he will become a member." The words "every individual" twice appear underlined. He requested safe passage to a place of his choice and the right to "dispose" of his land "by sale or otherwise." He also addressed the "infamy" (underlined) of the "informers" (also underlined), perhaps a reference to individuals who informed the committee of his Loyalist political views. In concluding his letter, he again revisited what he referred to as the "Immutable Laws of Nature" and the "Rights of Mankind." This item was added as part of the Diversity and Collaborative Knowledge Program funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Type

Written Document

Region

New York State, United States

Era

Colonial America, Revolution and New Nation

Topic

American Revolution, Colonial America

Repository

New York State Archives

Identifier

NYSA_A4016-77_V7_F139f-g

Source

New York State Archives, New York State Engineer and Surveyor. Records of Surveys and Maps of State Lands, 1686-1892. Series A4016-77, Volume 7, Folder 139, Item f.

Rights

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