Autograph Document Signed

One of Dryden's patrons, represented as Hushai in his 1681 poem "Absalom and Achitophel" ("Hushai the friend of David in distress, in publick storms of manly stedfastness; By Foreign Treaties he inform'd his Youth; And join'd Experience to his Native Truth. Frugal for that, but bounteous of his own: 'Tis easie Conduct when Exchequers flow; But hard the task to manage well the low...."); first Earl of Rochester; as first Lord of the Treasury, was forced to participate in negotiating Charles II's treaty with Louis XIV; Lord President of the Council; Lord High Treasurer; viceroy of Ireland. ADS, 1p, 8½" X 7", n.p. [London], 1680 August 2. Addressed "To our very Loving Sir Robt" [Howard]. Very good. Minor chipping at edges. Howard (1626-98) was an English dramatist, auditor of exchequer at the time of this document, and another of Dryden's patrons (as well as his brother-in-law). Requests payment of 455 pounds to Henry Sidney for "three months or ninety one dayes of his ordinary entertainmt." (Sidney, 1641-1704, was envoy to The Hague at the time.) A rare piece with interesting connections.