COMMISSION

On the recto of the first leaf of a folio bifolium (leaf dimensions 42.5 x 27.5 cm). On grey watermarked laid paper. Good, with slight offsetting from the ten red wafers placed beside the signatures. Headed 'LONDON. To the ALDERMEN, DEPUTY, and COMMON-COUNCIL of the Ward of [Queenhithe]'. Fifty-two lines of text, with manuscript additions, including the name of the ward ('Queenhithe') and the sum assessed (£89 15s 6d). At the foot of the page are large, bold signatures of the ten members of the Commission of Lieutenancy, including that of the Lord Mayor, Stuart Knill.

New York journalist (1847-1928) and biographer of Theodore Roosevelt; Secretary, Isthmian Canal Commission. One page, quarto. Very good, but lightly creased a little grubby. Docketed and bearing the Society's stamp. He has received the letter 'asking me if I can furnish you with material on the social side of the work at Panama. It would give me much pleasure to supply this, were it in such form as to make it possible to do so. There has been a great deal written about it, but nothing in concrete form, so far as my knowledge goes.

British architect and art historian (1856-1942), a leading figure of the Imperial War Graves Commission and designer of the Menin Gate at Ypres. One page, quarto. Good, with a few minor stains. 'I fully concur in the regulation proposed for the Art Studentship Scholarship, and am glad this is now settled.' Signed 'Reginald Blomfield'

The recipient Joshua Sharpe (c.1716-86) was a solicitor of Lincoln's Inn, and counsel for various American colonies before the Board of Trade and Privy Council. His brother Horatio was Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. Two pages, folio. Grubby, frayed and worn, with some closed tears and minor fraying and loss to extremities, and minor loss to text. Appears to concern the investigation into a case brought against an English ship by the owners of the Spanish vessel Sancta Barbara ('Patron Joseph de la Torre').