Pitt, William

2 letters signed ("W. Pitt"): 3 pages (11 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 303 x 193 mm) on a bifolium, written in a clear clerical hand, Whitehall, 31 March 1757, to Governor William Henry Lyttelton, marked "Duplicate"; 2 pages (11 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 303 x 193 mm) on a bifolium, written in a clear clerical hand, Whitehall, 31 March 1757, to Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery, marked "Copy," docketed on integral blank.

2 letters signed ("W. Pitt"): 3 pages (11 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 303 x 193 mm) on a bifolium, written in a clear clerical hand, Whitehall, 31 March 1757, to Governor William Henry Lyttelton, marked "Duplicate"; 2 pages (11 7/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 303 x 193 mm) on a bifolium, written in a clear clerical hand, Whitehall, 31 March 1757, to Lieutenant Colonel Montgomery, marked "Copy," docketed on integral blank.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

British Secretary of State William Pitt reinforces South Carolina during the French and Indian War. In the letter to Lyttelton, colonial governor of South Carolina, Pitt responds to the governor's plea for additional troops: "His Majesty having taken into Consideration the Dangers to which your Government and the other Southern Colonies may be exposed, has been pleased to order a Highland Battalion of Foot, consisting of 1000 Private Men, besides Officers, to proceed to Charles Town, in South Carolina." This Battalion was under the command of Lt. Col. Montgomery, and Pitt included with his letter to Lyttelton a copy of his orders to that officer: "on your arrival in North America, you are to follow such Orders, as you shall receive from the Earl of Loudun. ... [Y]ou are to assist, & cooperate with Govr. Lyttelton, or any other Governor of the Southern Colonies, in the Manner you shall be able, for the Defence and Protection of His Majesty's Dominions, according as the Exigencies of War shall require."

Because of the uncertainty of correspondence being delivered during this period, often two and even three copies of the same letter would be dispatched by different routes and hands. Letters like the present, marked "Duplicate" or "Copy" were not retained by the sender or file copies—they are originals that were sent to the recipient.