The dashes in "H—l—n" reflect a common eighteenth-century practice of partially concealing names while leaving them easily recognizable. In this instance, "H—l—n" refers to Thomas Hutchinson, the last royal governor of Massachusetts Bay.
On May 3, 1774, Philadelphians paraded, hanged, and burned the effigies of Thomas Hutchinson and Alexander Wedderburn. The demonstration was sparked by two recent events: the publication of Hutchinson's private letters, in which he urged a stronger British response to colonial resistance, convincing many Americans that he had encouraged the ministry to curtail colonial liberties in Massachusetts; and Wedderburn's scathing attack on Benjamin Franklin before the Privy Council on January 29, 1774, after Franklin acknowledged transmitting Hutchinson's letters to Massachusetts leaders.
The Pennsylvania Gazette reported that the effigies were carried through the streets before being hanged and burned. Contemporary accounts note that Hutchinson's effigy bore the inscription: "Governor Hutchinson, whom we now consign to the Gallows and Flames, as the only proper Reward for Double-dealing and Treachery to his native Country."
The dashes in "H—l—n" reflect a common eighteenth-century practice of partially concealing names while leaving them easily recognizable. In this instance, "H—l—n" refers to Thomas Hutchinson, the last royal governor of Massachusetts Bay.
ReplyDeleteOn May 3, 1774, Philadelphians paraded, hanged, and burned the effigies of Thomas Hutchinson and Alexander Wedderburn. The demonstration was sparked by two recent events: the publication of Hutchinson's private letters, in which he urged a stronger British response to colonial resistance, convincing many Americans that he had encouraged the ministry to curtail colonial liberties in Massachusetts; and Wedderburn's scathing attack on Benjamin Franklin before the Privy Council on January 29, 1774, after Franklin acknowledged transmitting Hutchinson's letters to Massachusetts leaders.
The Pennsylvania Gazette reported that the effigies were carried through the streets before being hanged and burned. Contemporary accounts note that Hutchinson's effigy bore the inscription: "Governor Hutchinson, whom we now consign to the Gallows and Flames, as the only proper Reward for Double-dealing and Treachery to his native Country."