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1644

James Monroe

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 2,500.00 USD
James Monroe

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Auction Date:2012 Feb 15 @ 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
War-dated manuscript DS, signed “Jas. Monroe,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 13, January 5, 1813. Document reads, in part: “The Emperor being a ship alleged to belong to British subjects and which was within the limits of the United States on the 6th day of July 1812, the President of the said United States, without detriment to the Rights of Individuals, but solely in relinquishment of any supposed or real right accrued or occurring to government in virtue of her detention as prize of war, permits the said ship Emperor, to depart for the port of Liverpool…on the condition that she be navigated to that port by persons other than American seamen…not to offer to the said ship Emperor, her officers or crew, whilst in the prosecution of her passage to the said port, any hindrance or molestation, but on the contrary to afford her every proper and necessary aid and assistance. This passport not to be valid after the vessel reaches her verified port of destination.” In very good condition, with central horizontal and vertical fold, scattered toning, some primarily from red wax seal, and scattered mild soiling, dampstaining and wrinkling. The white wafer seal is soiled, but essentially intact.

By 1812, the superior British Navy was stretched across the world and heavily engaged in the Napoleonic Wars, aggressively boarding the ships of neutral nations including the United States, seizing cargo and forcing merchant sailors into service. From 1796-1802, 1,942 American seamen were pressed into the English navy. By the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1814, that number had grown to several thousand. Impressment became one of the reasons for the War of 1812, which sought to protect seamen's rights.

Issued by then-Secretary of State Monroe, this ship's pass permitted the British ship Emperor to depart, as it was "within the limits of the United States on the 6th day of July 1812”— the date the War of 1812 commenced between Britain and America. The order specifically detailed the terms of the vessel’s departure...among them that the Emperor not participate in any battle raging on the high seas, also stipulating that the vessel would be granted leave “on the condition that she be navigated to that port by persons other than American seamen” and the pledge “to afford her every proper and necessary aid and assistance.” The pass became invalid when the Emperor reached its destination.
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