Beschreibung:

GEORGE III, King of England. Document signed ("George R."), countersigned by Earl Shelburne (later Prime Minister) and Sir Philip Francis (possibly author of the Letters of Junius) , St. James's [London], 28 November 1766. 1 page, 305 x 415mm. (12 1/16 x 16 3/8 in.), ON PARCHMENT, attractively engraved, accomplished in manuscript, red wax seal, blue paper tax stamps . THE FUTURE BRITISH COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN AMERICA IS PROMOTED TO COLONEL "Sir Harry" Clinton's commission as Colonel. "George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith &c..." appoints "Our Trusty and Wellbeloved Henry Clinton Esq....Colonel of our Twelfth Regiment of Foot," in place of the late Lt. General Robert Napier, "and We do hereby, give and Grant you full Power and Authority to command...." Sir Henry Clinton (1738?-1795), son of Admiral George Clinton, Governor of Newfoundland and New York Province, joined the New York militia and later the Coldstream Guards and Grenadier Guards. "His gallantry was conspicuous" (DNB). When the American crisis developed, he was ordered to Boston, arriving on the same ship as William Howe and John Burgoyne. Clinton commanded the British force which took Bunker Hill in June 1775, commanded the Charleston Expedition, and at the Battle of Long Island. When Howe relinquished command, in May 1778, Clinton became Commander-in-Chief of all British Forces in North America, returning to England in May 1781 after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. George III's appointment of Clinton as Major General was part of the collection of Mr. & Mrs. Harry Spiro (sale, Christie's, 14 May 1992, lot 65).