2006-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2006
This secretarially written, manuscript speech by King George II forwards the crucial military and financial argument for regaining control of the English interests in America during the French & Indian War. The King begins by underscoring the bleak current circumstances regarding the War with France, "Want of success in America ... where it (war) should & might have been confin'd if we had succeeded, has now plunged us into War upon the Continent ..." He continues, "What I hoped and expected from it (war) was to humble France by destroying her Trade, destroying her in her settlements, and checking the growth of her Marine; I severely feel that these expectations, which I still think were not ill grounded, are disappointed for a time at least, if not for a long time." The King proposes to subsidize Frederick the Great to battle the French on the continent, him giving 670,000 pds, "... with the additional Army that electorate could furnish, & leave us to fight it out with the French in America." He then warns of the costs of loss, "For I insist ... and will conclude ... that upon your success in America every view of interest, of advantage, even your safety depends. For if you suffer France to become formidable to your settlements, she will soon be so to your trade & your marine, there is the end to your trade, your safety & independence..." The King concludes with optimism, "As to America, what I have heard of the Greatness & Efficiency of the preparations destin'd to retrieve our losses there gives me the greatest consolation. I expect from them the best consequences. I firmly hope that we shall demolish the French Settlements on that continent. ... In the present state of things, to own America is my first concern, my warmest wish. My maxim is, give all you can raise towards detroy(ing) the French in America, & then, if there is a King left, give all you can spare to distress her everywhere." This historic speech is pivotal in reversing the momentum in the War for the America Continent. Bound in green leather, six pages, 8" x 12," watermarked paper, 1758. The King was persuasive, his efforts resulting in the Treaty of Westminster which funded the Prussians against the French on the continent. Five years later, the Treaty of Paris, February 10, 1763, gave all of North America east of the Mississippi, other than New Orleans, to the British.
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