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Provenance:

Christie’s, London, September 6, 1985, Lot 380
Ex Collection Walter Henry Whitear
Ex Collection Henry B. Wheatley

Note:

Partial Text:
After Our hearty Commendations Whereas ye King’s most Excellent Majesty by his Warrant under his Royall signe Manuall and privy Signett bearing date the 27th of March last past, imparting that his Majesty finds fit, considering the present conjuncture of affiares for the better security of this his Majesty’s Kingdome against the attempt of a Forreigne Enemy, that the more considerable ports and Places upon the Coasts thereof especially such as are frontier to France or Holland, be withal convenient speed putt into the best posture of strength and defence, , and Whereas his Majesty hath already in pursuance thereof by his Majesty’s respective Com’er under his Royall Signett and signe Manuall given Order & direction for the raiseing and makeing certaine New Fortifications and Workes att and in his Majesty’s Ports of Portsmouth and Plymouth : and when good progress hath been made and doe alsoe reove that the like be hereafterdone in several other parts & places upon the Coasts of this his Majesty’s Kingdome His Majesty hath thought fit that according to the usuall Method and practice of the Office of his Majesty’s Ordnance the generall direction and Superintendency of that whole matter bee & remaine for future in our care, and accordingly His Majesty’s Will and Pleasure I, That Wee demand and receive a full and perfect account from ye respective Commissioners appointed by his Majesty for ye said fortifications as well at Portsmouth as att Plymouth of all money by them hitherto expended and paid out in execution of His Majesty’s said Commissions together with faire copys and transcripts of all such contracts and agreements as have been made by them with an person or persons for or concerning the carrying on of ye said Fortifications to the end the same may bee and remaine entered and registered with this Office & Contracts and agreements: His Majesty has ordered and directed u that ye same bee fully pursued and complied with according to their Tenor and Intent, as the same hve been by the said Commissioners respectively mad and concluded and that having informed our selves of the present state of the said works and fortifications so undertaken & begun as aforesaid , we do for the future give such Orders & Instructions for ye completing & perfecting them &