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Lot 316
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George III 1778 DS Re: "delivering Provisions…for Our Forces in North America"
George III 1778 DS Re: "delivering Provisions…for Our Forces in North America"
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Description:

George III 1778 DS Re: "delivering Provisions…for Our Forces in North America"

A 1p document boldly signed by King George III (1738-1820), as "George R." at upper left, the elegant signature measuring 3.5" x 2.25" alone. Signed at the Court at St. James's, London on December 4, 1778. Also co-signed by Prime Minister Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford (1732-1792), as "North"; Commissioner of the Treasury Francis-Ingram-Seymour-Conway, 2nd Marquess of Hertford (1743-1822), as "Beauchamp"; and Commissioner of the Treasury William Lyttleton, 1st Baron Lyttleton (1724-1808), as "Westcote," all at lower right. The warrant is secretarially inscribed on watermarked bifold paper, with an itemized account appended within bearing further signatures and dockets. Expected wear including even toning, isolated minor chipped edges, and paper folds, some discretely professionally repaired, else very good to near fine. 9.625" x 14.5." Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Fraser's Autographs (London), product reference F72274AA, dated December 12, 2012.

King George III authorized the payment of £636:2:9 to Arnold Nesbitt, Adam Drummond, and Moses Franks, three politicians and merchants who had been awarded the official government contract for victualing 12,000 British troops stationed in North America in April 1776. This sum purchased 132,300 lbs. of mess pork, 58,500 lbs. of butter, and 908,880 lbs. of flour, a quantity representing approximately a year's supply of staple foodstuffs for 12,000 men at a 5 3/4 ration.

The document reads in part:

"Whereas It appears unto us by the Annexed Report and Computation of the Comptrollers of the Accounts of the Army that the Sum of £636:2:9 is due unto Arnold Nesbitt Adam Drummond and Moses Franks Esquires Contractors for delivering Provisions at Corke for Our Forces in North America For delivering Provisions there for the use of the said Forces…"

In 1778, the British had endured several major setbacks in the American Revolutionary War then dragging in to its fourth year. In February of that year, the American rebels had secured an alliance with Britain's powerful rivals, the French. In June, the British had been forced to abandon Philadelphia and the Americans had attacked the British at the Battle of Monmouth. More woes in July to August, when the French and Americans besieged Newport. The beleaguered British would capture Savannah on December 29, 1778, their only substantive victory of that annus horribilus. British forces still needed to eat, no matter the military results, however.

The foodstuffs were to be kept in British Army storehouses in Cork, in southwestern Ireland, until transport. Cork had been a flourishing port since the Middle Ages. It became increasingly important during the eighteenth century, which saw the establishment of its Custom House in 1724 and the founding of Corn and Butter Markets in subsequent decades. Not only was Cork a clearinghouse for rich Irish exports like butter and beef, but it had an excellent geographical location. The city proved an ideal point of departure for markets in England, Canada, the American colonies, France, and the Caribbean. During the Napoleonic Wars, Cork would see the development of its military fortifications and serve as the British watchdog of the English Channel.

The story of government contracting is a surprisingly interesting one because contracts were awarded based on political and family connections. The grant given to Arnold Nesbitt, Adam Drummond, and Moses Franks in April 1776 was no exception. All three men had been involved in some type of victualing since the end of the French & Indian War a decade before.

Arnold Nesbitt (ca. 1721-1779) was an Irish-born merchant who had inherited his London uncle's business after 1753. He secured government contracts in 1756, 1758, and 1760, delivering supplies to Canada, the American colonies, and Guadeloupe. He later served as a Member of Parliament.

Adam Drummond (1713-1786) was a Scottish military veteran, and later a Member of Parliament, whose continued loyalty to Lord North ensured a lucrative and bright political future.

Moses Franks (1718-1789) served as Nesbitt and Drummond's London-based American agent. He was the son of influential New York merchant Jacob Franks, and brother of another merchant, David Franks. The Franks were of German Ashkenazi Jewish descent and were active in their local Jewish communities. Moses Franks was painted by renowned portrait painter Sir Joshua Reynolds and sometimes visited Enlightenment wit Horace Walpole at Strawberry Hill.

Lord North (1732-1792) served as Prime Minister from 1770 to 1782, and from 1767-1782 also functioned as Chancellor of the Exchequer. He had been a longtime Lord Commissioner of the Treasury since the 1750s. Financing both the Seven Years' War and the American Revolution, in multiple military theatres, had severely depleted the British Treasury. Lord North was increasingly concerned with how to finance the ongoing conflict in the American colonies.

Viscount Beauchamp (1743-1822) acted as one of five Lord Commissioners of the Treasury from 1774-1780. He had served as Chief Secretary for Ireland from 1765-1766, and would later serve as Master of the Horse and Lord Chamberlain of the Household.

Baron Westcote (1724-1808) was one of five Lord Commissioners of the Treasury from 1777-1780. He had previously been royal governor of South Carolina as well as Jamaica in the 1750s and 1760s.

Ruling the British Empire for 60 years, George III saw many wars; in addition to the American Revolution, his empire was embroiled in the Seven Years’ War, the Napoleonic Wars, and the War of 1812.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
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$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
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