Letters from America, Historical and Descriptive

1792. EDDIS, William. Letters from America, Historical and Descriptive; Comprising Occurences from 1769, to 1777, Inclusive. London: Printed for the Author, and Sold by C. Dilly, 1792. 1st ed. [5],455pp. A very good copy, in contemporary full calf with gilt decorated spine. HOWES E-41. Clark I:229. William Eddis was a Maryland Loyalist who arrived at Annapolis on 3 September 1769 from an unknown English port to begin work as secretary to Robert Eden, governor of Maryland, As secretary Eddis acquired an intimate knowledge of the province and became a deeply interested spectator as events led to the early stages of the Revolution. He traveled throughout Maryland and met many of its prominent families. His letters to friends in England "cover a wide range of subjects, including the personality of the governor, his daily custom, the political disposition of the people." (DAB). In 1772 Eddis was appointed a commissioner of the loan office; he also served as surveyor of the customs at Annapolis. Eddis was anxious for the entire repeal of the Townsend revenue acts to help restore cordial relations between England and the colonists. "He did not deny that the grievances of the colonists were genuine but contended that the measures adopted to obtain redress were not justified on 'priciples of reason or sound policy.' He made an appeal for 'common sense and common equity' in a communication to the Maryland Gazette (Annapolis) which was published Feb. 16, 1775, over the signature, 'A Friend to Amity,' and reprinted in other colonies" (DAB) Eddis was advised by Gov. Eden to remain as long as the proprietary government was in any way acknowledged and continued. When he was summoned before the committee of observation, in June 1776, to give security for his behavior or leave the province, he declared such security incompatible with his oath of office. Thought the committee at first wanted him to leave within weeks, the requirement of closing out the loan office meant that he was unable to finish them until the end of May 1777. He was given a license to depart on 3 June 1777 by the Council for the State of Maryland, and arrived in England 27 December.