Lot 31: POWNALL, THOMAS

THOMAS POWNALL (1722 - 1805) Colonial Governor of Massachusetts who led an expedition to Penobscot to block French attacks. Good content French and Indian war date manuscript D.S. "Pownall " as Governor of Massachusetts Bay, 1p. legal folio, Boston, Aug. 22, 1757 addressed to "John Bradstreet Eqr." authorizing him "...in the prosecution of your Journey on his Majesty's Special Service as occasion may require to impress a Horse or Horses with or without their Furniture and do hereby Command all of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs and their Deputies, the Constables of the several Towns and all others his majesty's good Subjects within this Province to be aiding and assisting to you herein: and do request of his Majesty's Officers and others in the Neighbouring Governments to afford you all necessary Assistance... " At the time Bradstreet was acting as one of Loudon's aides-de-camp with responsibility for quartermaster duties. Bradstreet would spend the next year preparing for a successful expedition of Massachusetts provincial troops against Fort Frontenac in 1758. It would provide a much-needed morale boost for British forces smarting from the disastrous failed attempt on Ticonderoga in July, 1758. Some weak folds reinforced on verso with archival tape with other minor fold separations, otherwise very good. $300-500