English-born Quaker (1644-1718) and founder of the colony that became the State of Pennsylvania. Scarce partial manuscript DS, signed “Wm. Penn,” one page, 9.25 x 7, September 1689. Document headed "William Penn…Proprietary of the Province of Pennsilvania [sic], and Counties annexed," by which he requests that three candidates be presented to him as potential contenders for his Deputy or Lieutenant Governor. In part: "Since the Providence of God hath disappointed my reall intentions, and earnest inclinations of comeing to you for some time longer, and to the end the inhabitants…may be assured, I have and seek no other interest, then what is agreeable…I do consent that you please your selves, and therefore do hereby empower you…three Persons within the said Province or Countys annexed, to present to me…I shall chuse one for my Deputy or Lieutenant Governor." Docketed on the reverse, "A draught of a Commission—to impower the Councel to choose his Govenr." In good to very good condition, with overall soiling, professional repairs to tears, and professional restoration to the lower missing left corner area, affecting some of the text but not the signature. A significant, early document from the decade in which Pennsylvania was founded.
Past sales history: Heritage Auctions, Historical Manuscripts Signature Auction, April 22, 2020.
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