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George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

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Auction Date:2013 Dec 11 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Scarce and desirable partly-printed DS, signed twice as president, “Go: Washington,” and twice “Th: Jefferson” as secretary of state, one page both sides, 10 x 15.5, dated August 20, 1794, but signed circa 1793. Three language ship’s paper, with Dutch and English on one side, and English and French on the reverse, issued to “Ebenezer Clements, master and commander of the Sloop called the Abigail of the town of Alexandria…lying at present in the port and haven of Alexandria and bound for the West Indies and laden with Flour, Indian Corn, and Bread, that after this Sloop has been visited and before sailing he shall make oath before the proper officer, that the said Sloop belongs to one or more of the citizens of the United States of America, the act whereof shall be put at the end of the presents; and likewise that he will keep and cause to be kept by his crew on board, the marine ordinances and regulations, and enter into the proper office a list signed and witnessed, containing the names and surnames, the places of birth, and the abode of the crew of this Sloop, and all who shall embark on board her.” Signed on each side, “Go: Washington,” and “Th: Jefferson.” In good condition, with missing top right corner, professional repairs to partial separations along intersecting folds, repaired areas of paper loss to bottom edge, and scattered areas of irregular toning. The several seals are intact, and all four signatures are large and bold.

When France declared war on England in February of 1793, the US was put in a precarious position; proclaiming neutrality but still formally allied with France under the treaty of 1778, both sides harassed and seized American ships—especially those carrying provisions to the French colonial ports in the West Indies, where the Abigail was bound. Used to establish proof of nationality and guarantee protection for ships, these documents were signed in bulk by Washington and Jefferson, then forwarded to the Collectors of Customs at different ports for distribution, where local officials would confirm the legitimacy of the vessels, their cargo, and their personnel; while Jefferson’s resignation from his position as Secretary of State predates this document by eight months, the signatures are undoubtedly authentic, and the date easily explained by this practice of advance signing. With its unusual double-sided format and the highly sought-after pairing of presidents, both of whom have signed twice, this is one of the most desirable ship’s papers we have offered.
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