Details:

William Shirley autographed manuscript financial document signed, one page, dated Boston, New England, December 17, 1747, concerning payment of troops raised for a planned British expedition against Canada. Shirley draws an exchange for £200 sterling payable to Rebecca Amory, or her order, for funds connected with "the Pay for discharging the Non commission Officers and private Men of the late Regiment of which Brigadier General Waldo was Colonel rais'd for the aforesaid Service."

The document is directed to the Right Honorable William Pitt in his capacity as Paymaster General of His Majesty's Land Forces, or to the Paymaster General for the time being. Shirley specifically notes that payment was to be made when Parliament provided for "paying the Troops rais'd for the late intended Expedition against Canada," and signs prominently at lower right, "W. Shirley."

The reverse bears several period financial endorsements and receipts documenting the subsequent negotiation of the draft. A November 9, 1750 notation records receipt of £200 in full for the bill, followed by additional endorsements including Rebecca Amory and Samuel and William Baker.

The document relates directly to the military preparations undertaken during King George's War for a projected invasion of Canada. Shirley had already played a central role in organizing the successful 1745 New England expedition against the French fortress of Louisbourg, and the proposed Canadian campaign represented a further attempt to strike French power in North America.

Very good condition with original folds, expected toning, scattered staining and soiling, and minor edge wear.

William Shirley (1694-1771) was a British colonial administrator and military leader who served as governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay from 1741 to 1756. He was a principal organizer of the 1745 expedition that captured the French fortress of Louisbourg and became an important advocate for aggressive British military action against New France. During the French and Indian War, Shirley was commissioned a major general and briefly succeeded Edward Braddock as commander-in-chief of British forces in North America following Braddock's death in 1755. His long colonial career placed him among the most significant British officials in North America during the decades preceding the American Revolution.

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Reference sku: 11615 1418877-1