JOHN HOWARD PAYNE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/29/1818 - HFSID 269533

JOHN HOWARD PAYNE

The actor, composer and playwright pens this letter to the Counsellor of New York asking him to enable a friend to travel to New York, signed in iron gall ink

Autograph Letter Signed: "John Howard Payne" in iron gall ink. One page (front and verso). 7½x9, Date: September 29, 1818. Integral leaf addressed "For/Joseph D. Fay/Esquire/Counsellor/New York/USA". In part: "If you will have the goodness to find him [Mr. Thomas William Betterton] out immediately on rec[eip]t of this letter, enable him to come to New York & procure a passage for him as soon as possible, - every expense, passage money included, may be thrown into a bill upon me at 60 days, addressed to No 4 Southampton St, Covent Garden, & it will be punctually paid. I am sure there is no need of urging this case again upon your kindness. It will be remembered by Mrs. Glover & by your old friend with the gratitude which has so often rewarded your good offices for the suffering." Actor, playwright and composer John Howard Payne (1791-1852) debuted on the American stage in 1809. He later became the first U.S. citizen to perform on the English stage. He acted in his own play, Brutus, or the Fall of Tarquin (1808). One song Payne wrote for his opera, Clari, or, the Maid of Milan, immortalized him: "Home, Sweet Home." At the time of his death, Payne was the American Consul in Tunis.  Thomas William Betterton may be a descendant of noted English actor and theatre manager Thomas Betterton. Lightly creased and soiled. Reinforcement at spine shows through to left blank margin. Folds. Horizontal and vertical folds touch some text. Tear at lower right corner of integral leaf with 1x¾-inch size tear at left blank margin where letter was separated at seal. 1-inch tear at blank left margin. Otherwise, fine condition.