VICTORIA: (1819-1901) Queen of the United Kingdom Great Britain & Ireland 1837-1901. D.S., Victoria R, as Queen, at the head, two pages, folio, Court at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, 23^rd July 1857. The manuscript document is a warrant appointing Henry Lettsome Maclean to the executive council of the British Virgin Islands, in part, 'We being well satisfied of the loyalty, integrity and ability of Our Trusty and Wellbeloved Henry Lettsome Maclean….We do hereby signify Our Will and pleasure that forthwith upon the receipt of these presents you swear and admit him…..to be a Member of the Executive Council of Our Virgin Islands'. Countersigned at the conclusion by Henry Labouchere (1798-1869) 1^st Baron Taunton, British politician who served as Secretary of State for the Colonies 1855-58. Together with a manuscript D.S. by Thomas Price (President of the British Virgin Islands 1857-58, 1859-61), two pages, folio, Government House, Tortola, 8^th November 1858, nominating and appointing Henry Lettsome Maclean to be a registrar for district C. With a blind embossed paper seal affixed to each document. Some light damp staining, just affecting the text and signatures (all of which remain perfectly legible) and with some neat splits at the folds (some repaired with clear tape to the verso). About G, 2

The present documents are accompanied by an envelope annotated in an unidentified hand, '……signatures of Queen Victoria on commissions. Picked up by me derelict in the bushes at Beef Island, British Virgin Is. where old Henry Lettsome Maclean lived, after the family had came to grief & abandoned the place'.