KING GEORGE III
SIGNS WARTIME LEGISLATION
BANNING ENGLISH CITIZENS FROM FINANCING THE FRENCH CAUSE
GEORGE III. (1738-1820). King of Great Britain and Ireland (1760-1801). Partially-Printed Document Boldly Signed “George R,” at top left and countersigned “Portland” by William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, the 3rd Duke of Portland, as Home Secretary. One full page, folio. “St. James Court, January 28, 1799”. With ornate paper wafer “George III” Seal of State affixed at upper right with red wax. Document reads:
“Whereas Messrs Hammersleys & Co humbly pray Our Royal License, authorizing Messrs Van Neck & Co to transfer £225 In their Stock from the Name of T. Teding van Berkhout in Holland with the Name of Mr. Thos. Hammersly the Proceed of which is to be remitted to Hambro, at the Disposal of Mr. Geo. Sawyer of Amsterdam. We do therefore, by these presents, and by the Powers vested in Us by the Act passed in the Thirty-fourth Year of Our Reign, entitled, “An Act for preventing Money or Effects in the Hands of His Majesty’s Subjects, belonging to, or disposable by, Persons resident in France, being applied to the Use of the Person exercising the Power of the Government in France, and for preserving the Property thereof, for the Benefit of the individual Owners thereof,” authorize the said Van Neck & Co to make the aforesaid Transfer & the said Hammerslys & Co to remit the Proceeds accordingly. Given at Our Court at St. James, the twenty eighth Day of Janry 1799 in the thirty ninth Year of Our Reign. By his Majesty’s Command. Portland”
Soon after the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1793, France declared war on England. George the IIIrd, with William Pitt as Prime Minister, responded by enacting numerous war related legislation, among which was an act limiting the ability of the French government to procure funds from sympathetic British subjects. While it was thought that such action would severely weaken the Revolutionary government of France, the French government proved very resilient, and war between the two nations continued unabated. This wartime document is especially unique due to the uncommon layout and type font employed by the printer. Just a great very displayable piece!
$2000.00
