PHIPS, WILLIAM, Governor of Massachusetts. Letter signed ("William Phips") as Governor, to the President of the Council of Pennsylvania, Boston, 16 March 169 2/3. 1 page, folio, 360 x 240 mm. (14 x 9½ in.), integral address panel, neatly silked, seal hole repaired.

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PHIPS, WILLIAM, Governor of Massachusetts. Letter signed ("William Phips") as Governor, to the President of the Council of Pennsylvania, Boston, 16 March 169 2/3. 1 page, folio, 360 x 240 mm. (14 x 9½ in.), integral address panel, neatly silked, seal hole repaired.

A very rare letter of a key colonial governor regarding the defence of the American colonies during King William's War (1689-1697). "The Queen...directed mee...to give assistance unto the Province of New York in Case of Necessity...for defence of New York dureing the present warr...I understand her Maj[es]tie hath given you the same directions..." Phips (or Phipps, 1651-1695), first royal Governor of Massachusetts, was a controversial colonial figure. A wealthy merchant, he commanded a naval force raised by Massachusetts which successfully took Port Royal from the french in 1690; similar attacks that he led against Montreal and Quebec failed.

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