Details
HOWE, Sir WILLIAM, Major General, British Commander-in-Chief in America. Autograph letter signed ("W:Howe") to Charles Townshend, Chancellor of the Exchequer, "Somerly, near Kingswood, Hampshire," 17 May l772. 2 pages, 4to, integral blank with recipient's docket.
To the author of the infamous Townshend Acts (which did much to unite the American colonies in opposition to the Crown's policies), Howe writes with extreme deference: "I took the liberty of ordering a Memorial to your Excellency in favour of Parkyns to succeed to Ensign Parmier of the 46th Regiment, [now promoted to]...a Lieutenancy...in place of Lieutant Burrall deceased, & having understood that your Excellency has refused ye said Memorial, & not having been informed that your Excellency has thought proper to nominate anyone for that vacancy, I hope I may be excused making this second applicaion in favour of Mr. Parkyns who is in every respect well qualifyed for an Officer, & having friends at Nottingham who I have long waited an opportunity of serving, by obtaining an Ensigncy for him, & having no other prospect of succeeding, or right to ask except in my own regiment, I hope your Excellency will indulge me wth this favour....The young man is the son of a Captain...whose circumstances do not admit of his purchasing [a commission] for his son...."
To the author of the infamous Townshend Acts (which did much to unite the American colonies in opposition to the Crown's policies), Howe writes with extreme deference: "I took the liberty of ordering a Memorial to your Excellency in favour of Parkyns to succeed to Ensign Parmier of the 46th Regiment, [now promoted to]...a Lieutenancy...in place of Lieutant Burrall deceased, & having understood that your Excellency has refused ye said Memorial, & not having been informed that your Excellency has thought proper to nominate anyone for that vacancy, I hope I may be excused making this second applicaion in favour of Mr. Parkyns who is in every respect well qualifyed for an Officer, & having friends at Nottingham who I have long waited an opportunity of serving, by obtaining an Ensigncy for him, & having no other prospect of succeeding, or right to ask except in my own regiment, I hope your Excellency will indulge me wth this favour....The young man is the son of a Captain...whose circumstances do not admit of his purchasing [a commission] for his son...."