Autograph letter signed by the prominent Quaker John Gurney, Norwich [England], July 10th 1721, to young Thomas Penn (1702-1775) and addressed to him "at Michael Russells [the London Mercer with whom young Penn worked] in White Hart Court in Grace-church Street London." 3 pages (plus address page) neatly inscribed on a folio bifolium of laid paper watermarked (Foolscap) | IV. Long since removed from an album, with remnants of the leaf to which it was partially pasted still adhering to the final page above the address panel; worn, separated along center fold, with other tears and loss of a few words; not overly clean. Gurney (1688-1741) (Prime Minister Robert Walpole's "dependable Quaker friend" according to J. H. Plumb, Sir Robert Walpole, vol. 2, p. 321) here responds to detailed requests of Penn's that he "write to R Walpole to desire him … to call for the Attorny Generall's report on yr Petition." Young Penn's petition concerned his father's bequest of proprietary rights to Pennsylvania. Gurney responds by cogently (and at great length) urging patience, detailing the usual procedures to be encountered in due time, and naming others who may later be called for assistance. In closing Gurney signals his intimacy with the Penns: "Pray give my Dear Love to thy Mother & sincere respects to thy Bro: John: wch also accept thy self…" The matter about which Gurney here responds to young Penn's request was not settled until 1727, when Penn and his brothers John and Richard became Pennsylvania's proprietors. Thomas himself took direct charge of the family's Pennsylvania interests during a long residence in Pennsylvania, 1732-1741. References: Dictionary of American Biography, vol. 7, pt. 2, pp. 432-433; Dictionary of National Biography, vol. Viii, p. 804, and vol. Xv, pp. 752-753 Price: USD 1,000.00 other currencies   order no. 334    inquire

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