LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Feb Grand Format Book & Manuscript #682  / 

56120

James Madison James Monroe Ships Papers

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 600.00 USD
James Madison James Monroe Ships Papers
<B>James Madison and James Monroe Four-Language Ship's Papers Signed</B></I> "<I>James Madison</B></I>" as President and "<I>Jas Monroe</B></I>" as Secretary of State, one page, 21" x 16.5". No place, no date. Complete 2.25" diameter paper seal affixed at the left with red wax. Because ships leaving U.S. ports needed ships' papers before a voyage, the documents were signed by the President and Secretary of State ahead of time and forwarded to the port. The Collector of the Port would then fill in the required information. Ships' papers detailed what was aboard the vessel, where it was headed, and why. The lower portion was addressed to whomever might stop the vessel, identifying it as a ship of the United States of America "<I>and that no subjects of the present belligerent powers have any part or portion therein, directly nor indirectly, so may God Almighty help them</B></I>." Evidently this one was not needed because it was not filled out. Monroe served as Madison's Secretary of State from 1811-1817. The paper document is separated at the mid-vertical fold and partially separated at the two lower horizontal folds, one under Monroe's dark signature, passing through the lower loop of the "<I>J</B></I>" and touching the "<I>as</B></I>" and "<I>M</B></I>." Madison's fine signature is unaffected by defects or folds. There are holes where the mid-vertical and horizontal folds meet, in blank portions and in the Spanish translation. Truly worthy of restoration.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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