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Sir Francis Bernard, colonial governor of Massachusetts, compiled this 31-page manuscript report for British authorities at the conclusion of the French and Indian War (September 5, 1763). Bernard's report provides details about the colony's geography, economics, and government, along with administrative suggestions.

Sir Francis Bernard, colonial governor of Massachusetts, compiled this 31-page manuscript report for British authorities at the conclusion of the French and Indian War (September 5, 1763). Bernard's report provides details about the colony's geography, economics, and government, along with administrative suggestions. Bernard remarked on Massachusetts residents' loyalty to the crown, and believed that their sentiments compared favorably to those of other colonists.

• Pages 3-5: Geography of Massachusetts and border disputes with other colonies
• Pages 5-6a: Shipping and manufactures within the colony; trade with other colonies and Great Britain
• Page 7: Inhabitants' clothing and furniture
• Pages 7a-8: International trade
• Pages 8-8a: Illegal trade and its prevention
• Pages 8a-9: Soil quality; agriculture; and indigenous metals
• Page 9: Mines
• Pages 9a-10a: Estimated population; plans for a census
• Pages 10a-12: Military information, including manpower and information on Fort William and other military buildings
• Pages 12-13a: Indian population; conflicts with Native Americans
• Pages 13a-14: Imports and excises
• Pages 14-18: Constitution of government; offices and officeholders; payment of civil servants; potential for local peerage
• Pages 18-18a: Conclusion

• Great Britain "need not fear Trades & Manufactures set up here; since whatever is saved or gained here will be sent to Great Britain, to purchase other things." (6a)
• "The people here are very much tired of Negro Servants, & it is generally thought that it would be for the public Good to discourage their importations if it was not at present very inconsiderable, not one parcel having been imported this year as yet." (10)
• "In the beginning of the late War many perished by the Sword, but much more by the Diseases incidental to a Campaign." (10a)
• Respecting the native population, "These people who have for near a Century occasioned so much expence of blood & treasure to this Province are now in a manner reduced to nothing." (13)
• "Great & many are the inconveniences which arise to the Public, as well from the insufficiency as from the precariousness of the Salaries of the Chief Officers; which will never be remedied but by the Establishment of a sufficient & independent Civil List, out of which his Majesty may assign to the public Officers such salaries as the Dignity & duty of their offices should require: A regulation extreamly wanted in America, for which it would be very easy to provide a proper Fund." (16)
• "I know of no Colony where the Compact between the King & the People is better observed. The Royal Rights are never openly invaded: the utmost that is done, is to dispute what are Royal Rights." (16a)
• "On the other hand it would be objected on the behalf of the People to have a Council appointed & removeable by the Crown..." (17)
• "If these great matters were regulated, lesser things would mend themselves. In fine, a Civil List, an Independent middle Legislative Power, & a Court of Chancery with a few other regulations, which would follow of course, would give this Government as good a constitution as any in his Majesty's American Dominions: Especially as the People in general are as well inclined to his Majesty's Government, & as well satisfied with their subordination to Great Britain, as any Colony in America..." (18-18a)

This collection contains 56 letters and documents written and received by Irish politician George Macartney. Most items pertain to Macartney's service as governor of Grenada, Tobago, and the Grenadines from 1776-1779.

This collection contains 56 letters and documents written and received by Irish politician George Macartney. Most items pertain to Macartney's service as governor of Grenada, Tobago, and the Grenadines from 1776-1779.

The first item is an 11-page essay supporting the right of Parliament to tax Great Britain's North American colonies, written around 1765. The remaining material is comprised of letters and documents regarding British colonies in the southern Caribbean. Many items concern British military operations and the French navy, particularly the fleet of the Comte d'Estaing; some pertain to prisoners of war and to the payment of black troops. Macartney's correspondents included British Army general James Grant, Royal Navy officers Samuel Barrington and John Byron, and George Sackville Germain, Secretary of State for America during the Revolutionary War. One letter from French Army general Theobald Dillon is written in French, and is accompanied by an English translation (March 17, 1787). Other items, such as indentures and grants, concern the ownership of land in the southern Caribbean. Some correspondents discussed commercial affairs, such as exports from Curacao. One item, dated 1792, relates to Philippine commerce in light of the declaration of Manila as a free port (in 1785) and the French Revolution.