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Sale 49
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Lot 766
George III Signed Pay Authorization For the Scottish Highlander 71st Regt. Manuscript document signed ("George R"), as King of Great Britain, Pay Authorization, 1p, watermarked, fine-laid paper, 12½ x 8 in., St. James, June 21, 1782. Fine. Authorizing payment of 19,807 Pounds-Six Shillings-Eight Pence for the famous British 71st Regiment of Foot, then still serving in America at the very end of the Revolutionary War. One of Scotland's more important regiments in the American Revolution, the 71st Regiment of Foot (Fraser Highlanders) (1775-1783). The unit served in both the Northern and Southern Campaigns, and participated in these major battles: Brooklyn (1776), Brandywine (1777), Savannah (1778), Briar Creek (1779), Siege of Savannah (1779), Siege of Charleston (1780), Camden (1780), Guilford Courthouse (1781), and Yorktown (1781). The unit was forced into surrendered with Cornwallis by George Washington and the French Fleet at Yorktown. From surrender, the Fraser's Highlanders and the other units marched off to prison camps in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia and for them the war was over. It is interesting to note that The Fraser's Highlanders received new kilts while in their POW camps. The 71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser's Highlanders, returned to Perth, Scotland and was discharged in 1783. This historic document is addressed at lower left to the Paymaster General. It reads, in full:
"To Our Right Trusty & Wellbeloved Counciller Richard Rigby late Paymaster General of our Guards, Garrisons & Land Forces." The document, a pay authorization states: "Our Will and Pleasure is that out of such Monies as are in or shall come to your hands for the Use of Our Land Forces, You pay unto Mssrs. Gray and Ogilvie late Agent of the 2.d Battalion of Our 71st Regiment of Foot now Commanded by Our Right Trusty and Right Welbeloved Cousin Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Earl of Balcanas, the Sum of Nineteen Thousand Eight hundred Eighty Seven Pounds Six Shillings and Eight pence, the same being certified by you to be due to Our said Battalion for their Pay from the 25th December 1778 to the 24th December 1779 both inclusive, being 365 days (during which time the said Battalion was under the Command of Lieutenant General Simon Fraser deceased) according to the Establishment, and pursuant of Our Warrant dated 23.d November 1780. And for so doing this with the Acquittance of the said Mssrs. Gray and Ogilvie, or of their Assign, shall be your Warrant and Discharge. Given at Our Court at St. James's this 21st day of June 1782, in the twenty second year of Our Reign. - By His Majesty's Command - (Signed) "Geo: Townshend."
King George's signature is large and bold and and measures nearly 3 in. across, and 2¼ in. high, in the upper left corner. The page is clean, with crisp writing, and small edge splits along two folds. It is directly connected to one of the most famous British units that served throughout the American Revolutionary War.
Estimated Value $7,500 - 15,000.
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