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Letter from Theodore Atkinson to the New-Hampshire Congress. Refuses to deliver up the Publick Records, or connive at a delivery, but has no thoughts of attempting to retain them in his custody by force. [1775-07-06] Atkinson, Theodore. [S4-V2-p1600] [Document Details][Complete Volume]
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Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, July 6, 1775.
GENTLEMEN: In answer to your request touching my delivery of the records and files belonging to, and now in the Secretary' s office of this Province, I beg I leave to acquaint you that I am, by His Majesty' s special commission, appointed Secretary of this Province during His Majesty' s pleasure and my residence in this Province; and agreeable thereto I was admitted and sworn into that office, and had the keeping the archives belonging thereto delivered to me, and put under my direction and in my keeping. You cannot but see my honour and my oath forbids my consent
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or even my connivance in such a delivery, unless accompanied with His Majesty' s supersedeas, or my not being resident in this Province.
Gentlemen, the difficulties, I may say the distresses in the Province, and indeed of the whole Continent, are such that every additional cause of perplexity should be avoided. I have, gentlemen, no thoughts of attempting to maintain the security of the records in my custody by force. This I know would have no good effect. My aim is only to remove any grounds of complaint that may be against me for either neglect or malepractice in the execution of my said office.
I am, Gentlemen, with proper regard, your humble servant,
THEODORE ATKINSON.
To Major William Weeks, and the rest of the Committee.
Letter from Theodore Atkinson to the New-Hampshire Congress