JOHN DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH CHURCHILL (1650 - 1722) English soldier and statesman, one of the greatest commanders of his century. Intriguing war-date D.S. as General and commander, 1p., oblong, vellum folio, Ireland, July 15, 1690. Marleborough is vesting an unknown recipient with command rights in England's conflict with Ireland, in part: "...By the Authority and Power given by his Majesty as Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all English Troops Employed or to go Employed to the [defense] of the States General and the United Provinces, I do constitute [damaged] you William Hay to be Ensign of that Company whereof Sir Robert Douglas is Captain...You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Ensign... According to the Rules and Discipline of Warr, given by my Hand and Seals...". Marleborough, trying to find his political footing and gain the trust of William of Orange after William's overthrow of the Catholic James, obtained William's permission to fight in Ireland, capturing Cork and Kinsale by October, 1690. Boldly signed "Marleborough". Presented with an engraving of the Duke of Marleborough taken from a William Derby drawing and an October, 1690 issue of The London Gazette detailing Marleborough's actions in Ireland. Moderate folds with slight tears and heavy staining at their center, obscuring text but not signature; the engraving and London Gazette issue are in fine condition, not examined out of frame.