Two commissions for David Graeme entrusted with the Kings marriage proposal 1745

GRAEME, David (1716-1797). Two military commissions for the man entrusted with George III's marriage proposal to Queen Charlotte, 1745.

Two printed and manuscript military commissions on vellum relating to the promotion of David Graeme of Braco to Captain in the Scots Brigade in Dutch service. The first, issued by the States of Holland and West Friesland, 27 January 1745, approximately 250 x 450 mm; the second, issued by the States General of the United Netherlands at The Hague, 10 February 1745, approximately 300 x 480 mm. Both completed in manuscript for Graeme, with embossed fiscal or registration stamps and pendant vellum tags. The larger commission retains a substantial red wax seal, vertically split but largely complete; the seal to the smaller commission is fragmentary. Folded, with the expected creasing, handling and occasional staining, but overall very good, the printing and manuscript portions remaining clear.

A particularly attractive pair of commissions in the career of David Graeme of Braco, the Scottish soldier, politician and courtier. The earlier commission, issued by the States of Holland and West Friesland on 27 January 1745, appoints Graeme as Captain of one of the Scottish companies in Dutch service. A contemporary endorsement on the reverse identifies it as his "Commissie als Capitein ... 1745". The second commission, issued by the States General on 10 February, confirms his appointment and sets out his authority over the company and his responsibilities for its command and military discipline. Although his parents were Jacobite sympathisers, Graeme himself took no part in the Jacobite Rising of 1745, making these commissions an interesting document of the alternative military career pursued by a Scottish officer during the year of the Forty-Five.

Graeme subsequently entered British service and enjoyed a distinguished military and court career. In 1761 he was sent to Mecklenburg-Strelitz to convey George III's offer of marriage to Princess Sophia Charlotte. The proposal was accepted, and Charlotte married the King at St James's Palace later that year. The British Library preserves an account of Graeme's arrival at the Mecklenburg-Strelitz court with the royal marriage proposals, underlining his personal role in the negotiations. His connection with Charlotte continued after the marriage: Graeme became Secretary to the Queen, later Comptroller of her Household, and also sat as MP for Perthshire. His continuing royal favour was reflected in his appointment to raise the Queen's Own Royal Regiment of Highlanders shortly after Charlotte's arrival in Britain.