KING GEORGE II (GREAT BRITAIN) - MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT SIGNED 04/28/1759 CO-SIGNED BY: THOMAS PELHAM-HOLLES DUKE OF NEWCASTLE I, HENRY BILSON BILSON-LEGGE, JOHN (EARL OF BESSBOROUGH) PONSONBY - HFSID 266400

THE KING ORDERS PAYMENT FOR PROVISIONS ISSUED "TO OUR FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA" TWO MONTHS BEFORE HIS FORCES TAKE FORT TICONDEROGA FROM THE FRENCH; AFTER THE KING'S DEATH THE FOLLOWING YEAR, IT WAS DECIDED THAT MONEY TO PAY FOR FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA SHOULD BE RAISED BY TAXING THE COLONISTS THEMSELVES

KING GEORGE II. Historic Manuscript DS: "George R" as King of England, 2p, 9x14½, front and verso. Our Court at Kensington, 1759 April 28. "To Our Right Trusty and Welbeloved Councillor Henry Fox Esqr Paymaster General of Our Guards Garrisons and Land Forces". Countersigned: "Hollis Newcastle" as Prime Minister, "H.B. Legge" as Chancellor of the Exchequer and "Bessborough" as Commissioner of Revenue. In part: "Whereas it appears by the annexed Report of the Comptroller of the Accounts of Our Army [not present] that the Sum of Thirty one thousand five hundred twenty eight pounds six shillings and six pence is due to William Baker Christopher Kilby and Richard Baker Esquires for Provisions issue[d] by them to Our Forces in North America for and from the 28th day of October 1758 to the 31st day of December following included (according to a Contract made with them on Our behalf) Our Will and Pleasure is and We do hereby direct authorize and command that out of any Monies in your hands that my be applied to this Service You do pay or cause to be paid unto the said William Baker Christopher Kilby and Richard Baker or their Assigns the said sum…." KING GEORGE II (1683-1760) reigned from 1727-1760 and was succeeded by his grandson as King George III. HOLLIS NEWCASTLE (1693-1768) was Prime Minister under Kings George II and III from 1754-1756 and 1757-1762. HENRY BILSON-LEGGE (1708-1764) was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1754-1761. JOHN PONSONBY, 1st EARL OF BESSBOROUGH (1713-1789) was Commissioner of Revenue from 1744-1771. HENRY FOX (1705-1774) was Paymaster General from 1757-1765, accumulating a vast fortune during the Seven Years War (1756-1763) in Europe and the French and Indian War (1754-1763) in North America. The office was responsible for part of the financing of the army. After the death of King George II the following year, it was decided that the money to pay off war debts in North America and elsewhere could be raised by taxing the colonies themselves. The immediate result was unrest in North America and the American Revolution. The ultimate consequence was the loss of half the Empire. In 1759, Major General Jeffrey Amherst became Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in North America and he soon captured both the forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. That summer, other British forces captured Fort Niagara and attacked Quebec. By September, the French had surrendered the city. By the end of the 1759, the British had control of almost all of North America. Folds. 1" horizontal tear at center fold. Chipped at all but lower edge, touching the final letters of four words.