GEORGE IV (1762-1830). King of England.
Warrant Signed to the Lord Chancellor, 2 pages folio with paper seal, sewn together with Gordon's instructions, 5 pages folio, Carlton House, 16 March 1822. Ordering the Lord Chancellor to affix the Great Seal to a document empowering Robert Gordon to negotiate the repayment of the balance of a loan authorised by George III to the Austrian Emperor, Francis I (Francis II of Germany).
Countersigned by the Marquis of Londonderry [Robert Stewart, better known as Viscount Castlereagh (1769-1822)] as Foreign Secretary.

'... Whereas a Convention between Our Royal Predecessor King George The Third of Blessed Memory, and His Good Brother The Emperor of Germany, was concluded and signed at Vienna on the Fourth day of May One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety five, by which Our said Royal Predecessor engaged, in order to facilitatre to His said Good Brother the means of bringing forward the resources of His Dominions, in defence of the common Cause, to propose to His Parliament to guarantee the regular payment of the half yearly Dividends on the Sum of Four Millions Six hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling, which at that time was to be raised in England on account of His Imperial Majesty, on the terms and in the manner specified: - and His said Imperial Majesty engaged, on His Part, that He would make due provision for the regular discharge of the payments which should become due in consequence of the said Loan, so as that those payments should never fall as a burthen on the Finances of Great Britain ... .' (from Gordon's instructions).
 This document provides an excellent example of Britain's financial commitment to its continental allies for the defeat of revolutionary France.
[No: 4138]