Description:

George III of England King

George III French & Indian War DS with Large Signature

 

1p DS signed by George III (1738-1820) as "George R." at top. The document was recorded at the Court of St. James in London, England on February 27, 1762. Also signed by 3 British parliamentary ministers at bottom right: Lord Barrington as "Barrington;" Lord North as "North;" and possibly James Grenville as "James Grenville" (?). Watermarked cream paper in very good to near fine condition. The top and bottom left corners have been professionally restored, and in the latter corner, 3 words have been replaced. Several well-worn paper folds or closed tears have been repaired verso. The document measures 10.875" x 16.75."

 

George III issued this wartime document during the last full year of the French & Indian War (1756-1763), or the Seven Years' War, as it was sometimes called. It concerned the financing of royal troops, or "Our Regiments of Foot." In essence, troops were only eligible to receive subsistence money if they had a full quota of men; if they did not, the paymaster general was instructed to use a special formula to calculate pay.

 

With original spelling:

"Our Will and Pleasure is that in the Debentures to be made and by you for the pay of Our Regiments of Foot upon this Establishment that when and as often as there shall appear upon the Muster Rolls of any Company of Our said Regiments any Respit or Respits of private men, you do not only deduct what the said Respits shall amount unto as usual, but you shall also deduct from each Captain who shall have any such Respit on his Company the Subsistence of two men allowed by this Establishment for recruiting for the time or times that any such Respit shall appear as beforementioned. It being Our intention that the Benefit of the said allowance of Subsistence money shall be only on condition and during the time that the respective Companies shall be kept compleat…"

 

The Seven Years' War would end less than a year later, with the Treaty of Paris. The conflict was truly international in scope; it was waged by a dozen belligerents across three theaters of war. At the conclusion of the conflict, Great Britain made sizable territorials gains in North America, India, and the Caribbean.

 

George III ruled the British Empire for 60 years. During that time, he confronted the Seven Years’ War, the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and the latent growth of nationalism and other independence movements. He also endured periodic mental instability, possibly caused by the genetic disorder porphyria, and two assassination attempts.

William Barrington, 2nd Viscount Barrington (1717-1793) had served as Secretary at War between 1755-1761. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer in February 1762.

 

Frederick North, Lord North (1732-1792) would serve as Prime Minister during the American Revolution, but at this time, he was Lord of the Treasury.

 

The third signature is likely that of James Grenville (1715-1783), of the influential Grenville family. James Grenville had been Cofferer of the Royal Household up until October 1761.

 

Henry Fox (1705-1774) served as Paymaster General during the majority of the Seven Years' War, between June 1757-May 1765. His political career also included terms as Secretary of War, Secretary of State for the Southern Department, and Leader of the House of Commons.

 

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