Lot 9
1698 (Aug. 9) Portsmouth N.H. to Boston Ms., datelined folded letter signed by Jonathan Bridger, William Partridge, and Benjamin Jackson, endorsed "On his Maj: Service", addressed to "Wm: Partridge, Lt. Gov & Commander in cheif of his Maj: Province of New Hampshire and Assembly", carried by courier, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 4,000 - 5,000
Letters marked with "On His Majesty's Service" or similar statements generally were carried without charge. Normally they were either handled by military courier or the cost was reimbursed by the government.
In May 1698, John Bridger arrived in New England at the port of Boston as part of a four-member commission appointed by the Navy Board to encourage the production of naval stores (pitch, tar, resin, turpentine, masts, and spars) in the northern colonies and to investigate wasteful wood cutting practices. This letter is from Jonathan Bridger, signed by his fellow commissioners William Partridge and Benjamin Jackson, to the New Hampshire assembly requesting that they encourage the planting of hemp to support the Royal Navy. In 1699, the New Hampshire Assembly passed such a law, but the experiment was unsuccessful.
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| Realized $5,000 |
