British Officer Requests Revolutionary War Pay

American Revolution

British Officer Requests Revolutionary War Service Pay

May 29, 1789, Autograph Letter requesting pension benefits from serving in New York (the Battle of Saratoga) in 1777, Choice Very Fine or better.
This letter is written in brown ink on fine laid paper, measuring 12.5" x 8", with a huge watermark of "Seated Britania". Written to a colonel in the British army, who was claiming that he was to "pay the balance due from him to the Public into the hands of the Treasurer." It seems that the officer, a Lt. Col. Mercer, had claimed his Staff pay and pension benefits from serving in New York in 1777; however, his story does not hold up under scrutiny as he did not have proof. There are two edge splits and minor chipping at the document's left center. The manuscript is bright, bold and very legible. A full typewritten transcription printed on green rice paper is included. The original folds in the letter neatly divide the page into fourths, and the center crease has been repaired with some old clear yellowed tape, with the content of this letter being read with no trouble.