KING GEORGE IV (GREAT BRITAIN) - ROYAL WARRANT SIGNED 12/08/1813 CO-SIGNED BY: NICHOLAS VANSITTART - HFSID 41608

KING GEORGE IV
Warrant to deliver and divide a reward to troops involved in the capture of slave-trading rebels in Africa, signed by George IV
Royal warrant signed "George R I" as King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and "N. Vansittart". Also with notations at top of first page in unknown hands in black and red ink. 3 pages, 18½x14 (1 sheet front and verso, unfolded). Dec. 8, 1813. King's warrant to distribute a reward to troops involved in the June 1810 capture of rebels who were illegally selling slaves on the West Coast of Africa. The warrant includes details on how the reward is to be divided amongst officers and enlisted men. The warrant appears to be made out to Zachary Macaulay, a famous Scottish abolitionist. George IV (1762-1830) became Prince Regent in 1811, when his father King George III became permanently deranged. He succeeded his father as King in 1820. Carlton Palace, more commonly known as Carlton House, had been his residence as Prince Regent. It was demolished in 1825, George IV having moved into an enlarged and renovated Buckingham Palace. In 1822, George IV seemed to be a popular monarch, even though he had attempted to divorce Queen Caroline in 1820 on charges of adultery and denied her permission to attend his coronation. He made a very successful visit to Scotland in 1822, the first British monarch to travel there since 1650. His extravagance and other misjudgments were to make him a generally unpopular king in later years. Vansittart (1766-1851, born in Bloomsbury, Middlesex, England) was the longest serving Chancellor of the Exchequer in British history, with a term that lasted from 1809 until his resignation in 1822. Lightly toned, stained, soiled and creased. Holes near bottom edge of first page. Folded seven times vertically (including spine) and three times horizontally and unfolded. Folds are worn and torn, with holes along folds tape repair in center of sheet. Central horizontal fold has been completely cut through. Otherwise in fine condition.