[Lord Grenville, Prime Minister.] Autograph Signature ('W: W: Grenville') and seal, with those of Samuel Estwick, Richard Molesworth, Philip Deare, John Wigglesworth, to document appointing Isaac Phipps paymaster of British forces in West Indies.

1p, foolscap 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to an edge. Folded once. At bottom right are Grenville's signature ('W: W: Grenville') and a good impression of his seal in red wax. Twenty-line document, written in a secretarial hand, with two embossed tax stamps at head. Begins: 'Know all Men by these Presents that I the Right Honourable William Wyndham Grenville Paymaster General of His Majesty's Forces as well within Great Britain and without except the Kingdom of Ireland have authorized and appointed and by these Presents do authorize and appoint Isaac Phipps of Kensington in the County of Middlesex Esquire for me and in my name and stead to pay the Subsistence of His Majesty's Forces employed or to be employed in the West Indies also the Pay of the General and Staff Officers of the Hospital and Monies allowed for the Contingent Expences and all other Services relative to such Forces […]'. At bottom left, by two members of the Army Pay Office: 'Sealed and delivered (being first duly Stampt) in the presence of | Saml: Estwick | Rd Molesworth'. Endorsed three times on reverse of leaf: 'Entered in the Office of the Right Honble John Lord Viscount Mountstuart Auditor the 12th. Feby 1784 | Phil Deare'; 'Entered in the Office of the Rt Hble Lewis Lord Sondes Aud[itor] the 17th February 1784. | Jn. Wigglesworth Depy. Audr.' | Enter'd in the Office of the Paymr. Genl. 2D Augt. 1784 | [Jn.?] Sables'. From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library. Hunter and his mother Ida Macalpine had a particular interest in the illness of King George III, and their book 'George III and the Mad Business' (1969) suggested the diagnosis of porphyria popularised by Alan Bennett in his play 'The Madness of George III'.