Description:

William Greene
Newport, RI, April 9, 1745
Siege of Louisbourg: Colonial Gov. William Greene Signed 1745 Warrant
ADS

William Greene Sr. (1695-1758). Autograph Document Signed, "Wm. Greene," 1p, on watermarked laid paper measuring 8" x 13", Newport, Rhode Island, April 9, 1745. Blank verso. Flattened folds and creases with separation and loss at same. 4.5" separation at center of uppermost horizontal fold. Marked ink splatter throughout. Age toning and discoloration. In near very good condition and very boldly penned.

Here, Governor Greene states that Colonel Immanuel Northrup (1699-1790) has not received proper authority to call together companies to enlist men to go to the expedition of Cape Breton. In part: "To all Persons whom it may Concern; Where is by a Copy of a warrant under the hand of Coll. Immanuel Northup Dated April 5th: 1745 I am informed that sd. Coll. Northup has called one of the Companies in North Kingstown together; as he ses by a warrant he has Received from me and has ordered them to meet this Day at the house of John Pindors in order to attend the officers appointment by the Gen'l assembly to Enlist men to go on the expedition against Cape Briton and I am otherwise further informed; that he has called two other Companies together in sd. town; in the same manner; but sd. Coll. Northup has neglected to mention the date of warrant he ses he had from me. Therefore, those may Certify all persons Concerned; that I have not given sd. Northup; any warrant or order for calling, said companies together at this time. Neither did I think it proper so to do Considering; the trouble and expenses they had so lately been put to..."

William Greene was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. He was a clerk of the county court in Providence, deputy from Warwick, speaker of the Rhode Island Assembly, and then deputy governor from 1740 to 1743. He became governor for the first time in 1743, served four separate terms for a total of 11 years, and died while in office during his final term.

The Siege of Louisbourg was the 1745 capture of the French settlement of Louisbourg on present-day Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, by a combined British/British North American force during the War of the Austrian Succession, known as King George's War in the British colonies. The Fortress of Louisbourg was taken with the aid of a British fleet. The northern British colonies regarded Louisbourg as a menace due to its use as a base for privateers. There was regular, intermittent warfare between the French and the Wabanaki Confederacy on one side and the northern New England colonies on the other. For the French, the Fortress of Louisbourg also protected the chief entrance to Canada, as well as the nearby French fisheries. Louisbourg was an important bargaining chip in the peace negotiations to end the war, since it represented a major British success. Factions within the British government were opposed to returning it to the French as part of any peace agreement. These were eventually overruled, and Louisbourg was returned, over the objections of the victorious British North Americans, to French control after the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in return for French concessions elsewhere.

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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