A 1765 letter from signer Stephen Hopkins discussing an "impending battle"

Lot 277

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Rare Books, Autographs & Maps

By Doyle

Nov 25, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-11-25 10:00:00 2025-11-25 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Rare Books, Autographs & Maps https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/doyle/rare-books-autographs-maps-21321 Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 10am Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection Doyle info@doyle.com

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Lot Description

HOPKINS, STEPHEN (as Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island; later Signer of the Declaration of Independence) Autograph letter signed to Beriah Brown. Providence: 25 March 1765. A one-page autograph letter on a long sheet of watermarked laid paper, signed "Step Hopkins," the letter addressed to Beriah Brown at North Kingston, the sheet 12 1/2 x 8 inches (32 x 20 cm), with remnants of wax seal. Folds with a few punctures and short tears at fold points touching some words, some wear from opening and remnants of seal touching some letters, light spotting. "Our everlasting enemies are preparing to give us Battle again, and is fit, we should make ourselves ready for the encounter; they have as little to avail themselves of this year, as they ever had, except that Mortal Weapon Money, and being sensible of this, no doubt they will furnish as much of it as they possibly can..." So begins a very strongly worded letter from the Governor of Rhode Island and later signer of the Declaration of Independence, Stephen Hopkins. While this letter uses a tone suggestive of preparing for physical battle, it most certainly relates to the growing resistance in Rhode Island to Great Britain's increasing taxation on the colony following the drain of the Seven Years' War. The letter is written in early 1765, as Hopkins reacted to the Sugar Act, and in the months to come, the Stamp Act of 1765. Similar to Samuel Adams in Massachusetts, Stephen Hopkins led the charge against taxation in Rhode Island, and in early 1765, Hopkins had published in a New York newspaper his inflammatory The Rights of Colonies Examined. Hopkins here writes Beriah Brown, sheriff at North Kingston, Rhode Island, further reporting on news from the north of the colony and reporting that from Brown he shall be glad to hear news from the Southern part of the colony so he can learn "what is in my power to do, that may help the Common Cause..." A rare and fascinating letter from this Founding Father.

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