EARL OF ROCHESTER I (LAWRENCE HYDE) - MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT SIGNED 08/16/1680 CO-SIGNED BY: JOHN ERNLE - HFSID 44062

LAWRENCE HYDE (EARL OF ROCHESTER) and SIR JOHN ERNLE
As First Lord of the Treasury for King Charles II, he orders 60 pounds payment as reward to a former official for his efficient collection of taxes
Manuscript Document signed: "L. Hyde" as First Lord of the Treasury, and "J. Ernle" as Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1p, 9x7½. Whitehall Treasury Chambers, 1680 August 16. To "Our Very Loving Friend" Sir Robert Howard, Knight Auditor of Receipts. In full: "By virtue of his Majesties General Letters Patent dormant bearing date the 24th day of July 1679 These are to pray and require you to draw an order for paymt of the sum of Sixty pounds to Anthony Parish Esq late Receiver General of the yr's and months assessment Poll Money or 18 months assessment for the County of Wilts or to his assignees without account in consideration and reward for his good service hazards and losses in the timely answering the whole money due upon the said three taxes. And let the same be satisfied out of any His Majesty's Treasure now or hereafter in the receipt of the Exchequer not appropriated to particular uses by an Act of Parliament. For which this shall be your Warrant." LAWRENCE HYDE (1641-1711) was First Lord of the Treasury (1679-1685) and a close advisor of King Charles II, rewarded in 1682 with the hereditary title of Earl of Rochester. He lost favor with Charles' brother and successor, King James II (1685-1688), for refusing to convert to Catholicism, and in consequence was moved to the formally higher but actually less powerful and lucrative position of Lord High Treasurer. The expression "kicked upstairs," was first used in reference to this transfer. Hyde acted as an intermediary in negotiations between Charles II and William of Orange during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, at first opposing enthroning William but later serving under the new King William III. Sir JOHN ERNLE (1620-1697) was a member of the "Cavalier Parliament" which restored Charles II to the throne (the Restoration) following the English Civil War and Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. He became Chancellor of the Exchequer (1676-1689), serving until the removal of Charles II in the "Glorious Revolution." Zealous collection of taxes by Charles II and James II, and the many rewards and exemptions granted their aristocratic supporters, were a significant factor in bringing Stuart rule to an end. Sir Robert Howard (1626-1698) served as Auditor of the Exchequer and Privy Councilor but was also a dramatist, patron of Dryden and the author of the comedy, The Committee, or The Faithful Irishman. Fragile. Toned. Horizontal fold has been repaired with tape on verso. The document has also been taped along left and right bottom edges. Other tape remnants on verso show through. Two pinhead-size holes, 1 touches 1 letter of text. ¾-inch paper loss at lower right corner.