Beschreibung:

BRITISH PRIME MINISTERS: A very fine, rare D.S., R Walpole, by Robert Walpole (1676-1745, British Prime Minister 1721-42), one page, folio, Palace at Whitehall, 22nd July 1740. The manuscript document is addressed to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury and is a warrant ordering the payment of two thousand one hundred and ten pounds eleven shillings and six pence to be made to Thomas Lowther without account, 'that is to say, the sum of Two thousand pounds to reimburse the like sum by him Expended to answer a Bill of Exchange drawn from abroad for his Majesty's Service, and the remaining sum…..is to defray the Fees and Charges attending the Receipt thereof…..'. Countersigned at the foot by William Clayton (1671-1752, 1st Baron Sundon, Lord Commissioner of the Treasury) and Thomas Winnington (1696-1746, Lord Commissioner of the Treasury) and further countersigned at the head by eight Lord Justices comprising Spencer Compton (c.1673-1743, 1st Earl of Wilmington, British Prime Minister 1742-43), Thomas Pelham Holles (1693-1768, 1st Duke of Newcastle, British Prime Minister 1757-62), John Potter (c.1674-1747, Archbishop of Canterbury 1737-47), Philip Yorke (1690-1764, 1st Earl of Hardwicke, English Lawyer & Politician, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain 1737-56), Lionel Sackville (1688-1765, 1st Earl of Dorset, English Political Leader, Lord Steward 1725-30, 1737-44), Charles Lennox (1701-1750, 2nd Duke of Richmond, 2nd Duke of Lennox, 2nd Duke of Aubigny, British Nobleman, Peer & Politician, Master of the Horse 1735-50, remembered for his patronage of cricket), Charles Powlett (1685-1754, 3rd Duke of Bolton, British Politician & Lieutenant General) and John Montagu (1690-1749, 2nd Duke of Montagu, British Peer, Master of the Great Wardrobe 1709-49). With blank integral leaf. Documents from this period featuring the signatures of three British Prime Ministers are rare and desirable. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and a few small, neat splits at the edges of some folds, otherwise