Manuscripts Division
William L. Clements Library
University of Michigan
Finding aid for
William Dowdeswell Papers, 1765-1774
Finding aid created by
Philip Heslip, March 2010
Summary Information
William Dowdeswell papers
Dowdeswell, William, 1721-1775
1765-1774
53 items
The William Dowdeswell papers contain political correspondence of William Dowdeswell, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham and Member of Parliament. In these letters Dowdeswell analyzes and critiques some of the most important issues of the day, such as domestic and colonial taxation, relations with America and Ireland, support for the East India Company, and the opposition's role in the Middlesex election controversy.
Language: The material is in English
William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan909 S. University Ave.
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1190
Phone: 734-764-2347
Web Site: www.clements.umich.edu
Access and Use
1936. M-305.
The collection is open for research.
Copyright status is unknown
Cataloging funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the "We the People" project.
A portion of the collection has been Microfilmed.
William Dowdeswell papers, William L. Clements Library, The University of Michigan
Arrangement
This collection is organized chronologically with undated items in the end.
Biography
British politician, William Dowdeswell (1721-1785), was the son of William Dowdeswell (1682--1728), landowner and politician, and Amy Hammond (d. 1728). He attended Westminster School, Oxford University, and the University of Leiden. In 1747, he married Bridget Codrington; they had 13 children. Between 1747 and 1754, Dowdeswell was the MP for Tewkesbury. For the next 6 years, Dowdeswell acted as a strategist and advisor for the Rockingham Whigs. He re-entered Parliament for Worcestershire in 1761 and held that seat, uncontested, until his death.
Throughout his political career, financial issues deeply interested Dowdeswell. He was a vocal advocate for the reduction of the army and navy, and gained prominence as an outspoken opponent of the Cider Tax in 1763. Dowdeswell warned of the inherent danger in the Townshend Duties, predicting American resistance to any duty for revenue purposes, yet believed Great Britain would lose sovereignty over the colonies if it did not maintain its right of taxation. When Lord Rockingham became prime minister in 1765, Dowdeswell was appointed chancellor of the exchequer. He remained loyal to Rockingham when William Pitt, 1st earl of Chatham, took over as prime minister in 1766, and he helped formulate policies that unified the Rockinghams during their years in opposition. Dowdeswell became Rockingham's principal spokesman in the House of Commons, and was his close friend and adviser.
Dowdeswell's health faltered in 1774 and, at his doctor's recommendation, he traveled to Nice, France, to recover. He died there in February 1775.
Collection Scope and Content Note
The William Dowdeswell papers contain important correspondence concerning Dowdeswell, Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham, Edmund Burke, and other prominent Rockingham supporters. The collection consists of 40 signed drafts or retained copies of letters written by Dowdeswell, and 13 letters other politicians. Dowdeswell analyzed and critiqued some of the most important issues of the day, such as domestic and colonial taxation, relations with America and Ireland, support for the East India Company, and the opposition's role in the Middlesex election controversy.
The papers are made up of letters Dowdeswell's tenure as Rockingham's Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1765, and as his trusted political counselor. Included are letters the new First Lord of the Treasury, Augustus Henry Grafton, Duke of Fitzroy; Secretary of State Henry Seymour Conway; Speaker of the House of Commons Charles Wolfran Cornwall; Councilor and member of the Upper House, Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond; and Lord of the Admiralty, Charles Townshend (see the box and folder listing for an itemized list of the collection).
The bulk of the letters are Dowdeswell to Burke and Rockingham, advising them on parliamentary politics and policies, particularly concerning government business and financial affairs. Of note is his 16-page appraisal of affairs with America, in which he commented on the outbreaks of violence in Boston and New York and suggested a repeal of the Townshend duties. He called the duties a "folly" but asserts that Parliament must retain the right to raise taxes in the colonies. "It must either be admitted[,] which is timidity[,] weakness[,] irresolution[,] and inconsistency; or it must be resisted, and arms of this Country must be exerted against her Colonies" (August 12, 1868).
Dowdeswell's letters the summer and fall of 1769 demonstrate his role in the Middlesex election controversy, in which he and Rockingham defended the embattled John Wilkes. On September 5, 1769, Dowdeswell discussed his pamphlet entitled Sentiments of an English Freeholder, which argued for checks and balances in Parliament. Also of note is the July 18, 1773, letter, in which Dowdeswell discussed the government's treatment of the East India Company. After 1774, Dowdeswell often discussed how his ill-health was keeping him engaging in politics.
Subject Terms
- Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797.
- Dowdeswell, Bridget, 1729-1818.
- East India Company.
- Elections--Great Britain--Middlesex--Early works to 1800.
- England. Parliament. House of Commons.
- England. Parliament. House of Lords.
- Great Britain. Parliament.
- Great Britain. Treasury.
- Great Britain--Foreign relations--United States.
- Great Britain--Politics and government--1760-1789.
- Ireland--Politics and government--1760-1820.
- Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778.
- Rockingham, Charles Watson-Wentworth, Marquis of, 1730-1782.
- Sydney, Thomas Townshend, Viscount, 1733-1800.
- Taxation--Great Britain--Colonies--America.
- Taxation--Great Britain--Early works to 1800.
- Tory Party (Great Britain)
- United States--Foreign relations--Great Britain.
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Causes.
- Whig Party (Great Britain)
- Wilkes, John, 1725-1797.
- Conway, Henry Seymour, 1721-1795.
- Cornwall, Charles Wolfran, 1735-1789.
- Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy, Duke of, 1735-1811.
- Richmond and Lennox, Charles Lennox, Duke of, 1735-1806.
- Townshend, Charles, 1725-1767.
- Winnington, Edward, 1728-1791.
Contents List
| Container / Location |
Title |
| |
Correspondence [series]: |
| Box 1 |
Folder 1 |
[June] 27, 1765 : [?] to Dowdeswell |
| |
September 15, 1765: Sir Edward Winnington to Dowdeswell |
| Box 1 |
Folder 2 |
September 17, 1765: Dowdeswell to Sir Edward Winnington |
| |
September 27, 1765: Sir Edward Winnington to Dowdeswell |
| Box 1 |
Folder 3 |
January 4, 1766: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
May 19, 1766: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 4 |
May 29, 1766: Charles Townshend to Dowdeswell |
| |
May 30, 1766: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 5 |
July 26, 1766: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
July 26, 1766: Dowdeswell to Henry Seymour Conway |
| Box 1 |
Folder 6 |
July 26, 1766: Dowdeswell to Henry Seymour Conway |
| |
July 26, 1766: Augustus Henry Grafton to Dowdeswell |
| Box 1 |
Folder 7 |
July 28, 1766: Henry Seymour Conway to Dowdeswell |
| |
July 29, 1766: Charles Townshend to Dowdeswell |
| Box 1 |
Folder 8 |
July 30, 1766: Dowdeswell to Bridget Dowdeswell |
| |
July 31, 1766: Dowdeswell to William Pitt |
| Box 1 |
Folder 9 |
August 3, 1766: Dowdeswell to Augustus Henry Grafton |
| |
October 25, 1766: Charles Townshend to Dowdeswell |
| Box 1 |
Folder 10 |
November 4, 1766: Dowdeswell to Thomas Townshend Sydney |
| |
November 11 and 13, 1766: Dowdeswell to Thomas Townshend |
| Box 1 |
Folder 11 |
January 10, 1767: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
March 20, 1768: Dowdeswell to Mary Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 12 |
August 12, 1868: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
January 4, 1769: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| Box 1 |
Folder 13 |
August 5, 1769: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
August 10, 1769: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| Box 1 |
Folder 14 |
September 5, 1769: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| |
September 5, 1769: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 15 |
September 20, 1769: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
October 11, 1769: Dowdeswell to [Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham] |
| Box 1 |
Folder 16 |
December 16, 1769: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
January 13, 1770: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 17 |
April 29, 1770: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
July 8, 1770: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| Box 1 |
Folder 18 |
February 2, 1771: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| |
February 16, 1771: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 19 |
March 28, 1771: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| |
May 20, 1771: Charles Duke of Richmond to Dowdeswell |
| Box 1 |
Folder 20 |
May 5, 1772: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| |
May 30, 1772: Charles Wolfran Cornwall to Dowdeswell |
| Box 1 |
Folder 21 |
October 18, 1772: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| |
October 18, 1772: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 22 |
November 3, 1772: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| |
November 8, 1772: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 23 |
November 8, 1772: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| |
November 19, 1772: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 24 |
December 5, 1772: Dowdeswell to Edmund Burke |
| |
July 18, 1773: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 25 |
November 26, 1773: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
May 21, 1774: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 26 |
June 8, 1774: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| |
June 12, 1774: Dowdeswell to Charles Watson-Wentworth Rockingham |
| Box 1 |
Folder 27 |
Undated: (Draft) Dowdeswell to [?] |
Additional Descriptive Data
The Charles Townshend papers contain letters concerning Dowdeswell.
The Thomas Townshend Sydney papers contain a memorial inscription for Dowdeswell, written at the request of his widow for a monument, erected in 1777.
Dowdeswell, William. An address to such of the electors of Great-Britain, as are not makers of cyder and sherry: By the representative of a cyder-county. The second edition. London: printed for W. Nicoll, 1763.
Dowdeswell, William. A report the committee appointed to consider how His Majesty's Navy may be better supplied: with timber. Together with an appendix thereunto. [London: Reprinted by order of the House of Commons], 1803.
Woodland, Patrick. "Dowdeswell, William (1721--1775)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
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