Lot #319

King Charles II Document Signed, Referring to "America" (1675)

Description

Charles II sends commissioners to "the Colony of Surinam in America," to repatriate British merchants and settlers

Important manuscript document boldly signed at the top “Charles R,” one page, 7.5 x 11.75, Whitehall, March 28, 1675, with scarce reference to America. The document, addressed to Heneage Lord Finch (1st Earl of Nottingham) as Keeper of the Great Seal (and Lord Chancellor), authorizes him to affix the Great Seal of England “to a certain Instrument… constituting Our Truly & Wel[l] beloved Edward Cranfield, Esq., Richard Dickenson & Mark Brent, Gent(lemen), Our Commissioners for the fetching of such of Our subjects as remain in the Colony of Surinam in America, & who are willing to depart thence.” Signed at the head by King Charles II, and countersigned at the conclusion by Sir Joseph Williamson (1633-1701) in his capacity as Secretary of State to the Northern Department. The paper seal affixed at the upper left remains intact. In fine condition.

Surinam was a short-lived English colony in South America founded in 1650 by Lord Willoughby when he was the Royalist Governor of Barbados. In 1663 there were about 50 sugar plantations in the colony worked by indigenous Indians and 3,000 African slaves. There were around 1,000 white settlers, including Brazilian Jews attracted by the religious freedom granted to all settlers. As part of the 1667 Treaty of Breda, which concluded the Second Anglo-Dutch War, Britain ceded Surinam to the Dutch, and in part exchange, took possession of New York. This warrant is making arrangements for the repatriation of English merchants and settlers in the colony who did not wish to remain there under Dutch rule. Surinam was renamed Suriname and is today a country that partially borders with Brazil. Samuel Cranfield, one of the commissioners referenced in this document, served as Governor of the Province of New Hampshire from 1682-85.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts Featuring Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, and Civil War
• Dates: June 21, 2024 - July 10, 2024

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