CHARLES II | document signed, 1672

CHARLES II

DOCUMENT SIGNED, AT THE HEAD, ADDRESSED TO THE ATTOURNEY GENERAL,

ordering a pardon for John Portman, goldsmith, for "corrupt or usurious contracts, and all unlawfull takings of any other or greater Summes of money then the consideracon of six pounds for the Loane or Forbearance of an Hundred", explaining that the King "did think fit (as A reward for such his service)" to accept higher rates on loans to the crown, additionally signed at the foot by the Earl of Arlington as Secretary of State, 2 pages, folio, integral blank, docketing, Whitehall, 4 August 1672

John Portman (d.1683) was a London goldsmith and banker. His "service" to the crown no doubt took the form of loans and financial support to government-supported enterprises such as the Hudson's Bay Company, of which he was a founding member.

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