Item 38: Decree by Queen Victoria (removed to Oversized Print Box #3), 1874 February 16
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 38
Dates
- Created: 1874 February 16
Creator
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Decree/Promotion
Condition Note:
Good; paper is intact and is slightly yellowed; seal is intact; legible.
Measurements:
17 ⅜ in. x 13 11/16 in.
Description:
The following item is a royal decree signed by Queen Victoria on February 16, 1874, appointing Watson, Robert Grant, 1834-1892 to “Secretary to Our Legation to Our Good Friends The United States”. This position involved assisting the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the US of the time, Edward Thornton, in all matters pertaining to his position. This document was signed at Osborne Court on the Isle of Wight. It was countersigned by Granville George Levenson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from 1871-1874, and a key player in supporting the United States with the aftermath of the American Civil War. This document appears to be a standard promotion and appointment certificate template with blank spaces to allow for specific details to be added. The specifics appear to be in a different ink than the rest of the certificate. Although signed and authorized by Queen Victoria, this certificate was likely filled out and issued by Granville. Robert Grant Watson appears to have written the book A History of Persia and stated that he was also “attached to [Queen Victoria’s] legation at the court of Persia” in 1858, as evidenced by the time the book was written. Queen Victoria signs this document as “Victoria R” with the “R” referring to “Regina.” Another document contains the signature of Granville George Levenson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville.
Location:
Osborne Court, Isle of Wight, U.K.
Transcription:
Victoria R. [signature]
Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Vc. Vc. Vc. To All and Singular to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting! Whereas it appears to Us expedient to nominate some Person of approved Industry, Fidelity, and Knowledge, to perform the functions of Secretary to Our Legation to Our Good Friends the United States of America Know Ye therefore, that We have constituted and appointed, as We do by these Presents constitute and appoint, Our Trusty and Well beloved Robert Grant Watson, Esquire, to be Secretary to that Legation Giving and Granting to him in that Character, all Power and Authority to do and execute all necessary Writings, Memorials, and Instruments, as also to assist Our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Our said Good Friends in all things which may belong to the duties of Secretary to the aforesaid Legation And We therefore request Our said Good Friends and Their Ministers, and all those whom it may concern, to receive and acknowledge Our said Trusty and Well beloved Robert Grant Watson, Esquire as Secretary to Our said Legation and freely to communicate with him upon the things that may appertain to the Affairs of the said Legation. Given at Our Court at Osborne the Sixteenth day of February in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Four. and in the Thirty Seventh Year of Our Reign.
By Her Majesty’s Command.
Granville [signature]
Victoria, by the Grace of God, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Vc. Vc. Vc. To All and Singular to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting! Whereas it appears to Us expedient to nominate some Person of approved Industry, Fidelity, and Knowledge, to perform the functions of Secretary to Our Legation to Our Good Friends the United States of America Know Ye therefore, that We have constituted and appointed, as We do by these Presents constitute and appoint, Our Trusty and Well beloved Robert Grant Watson, Esquire, to be Secretary to that Legation Giving and Granting to him in that Character, all Power and Authority to do and execute all necessary Writings, Memorials, and Instruments, as also to assist Our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Our said Good Friends in all things which may belong to the duties of Secretary to the aforesaid Legation And We therefore request Our said Good Friends and Their Ministers, and all those whom it may concern, to receive and acknowledge Our said Trusty and Well beloved Robert Grant Watson, Esquire as Secretary to Our said Legation and freely to communicate with him upon the things that may appertain to the Affairs of the said Legation. Given at Our Court at Osborne the Sixteenth day of February in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Four. and in the Thirty Seventh Year of Our Reign.
By Her Majesty’s Command.
Granville [signature]
Creator
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu