GEORGE R.

     GEORGE, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.

     To our Trusty and Well-beloved JOHN WENTWORTH, Esq. Greeting: Whereas, by our Commission, under our Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date Fifteenth day of June, 1716, We have constituted and appointed Samuel Shute, Esq. our Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over our Province of New Hampshire, in New England, in America; and we reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and Circumspection, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you, the said John Wentworth, to be our Lieutenant Governor, to hold, exercise and enjoy the said Place and office for and during our Pleasure, with all Rights, Privileges, Profits, Perquisites and Advantages, to the same belonging or appertaining: And further, in case of the Death or absence of the said Samuel Shute, We do hereby authorize and empower you to execute and perform all and singular the Powers and Directions contained in our said Commission to the said Samuel Shute, and such Instructions as are already or hereafter shall, from time to time, be sent unto him; so nevertheless, that you observe and follow such orders and Directions as you shall receive from Us, and from the said Samuel Shute, or any Chief Governor of our said Province of New Hampshire, for the time being. And all and singular our officers and ministers and loving subjects of our said Province, and others whom it may concern, are hereby commanded to take due Notice hereof, and to give their ready obedience accordingly.

     Given at our Court at Hampton Court, the 12^th day of September, 1717, in the Fourth year of our Reign.

          John Wentworth, Esq.