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Lot 185: James Monroe Signed Broadside 1812

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Lot  185: James Monroe Signed Broadside  1812
<b>Autographs</b><hr><b>James Monroe Signed War of 1812 Broadside</b>

<b>JAMES MONROE, 5th President of the United States.</b>
Document Signed 'Jas. Monroe' as Secretary of State, 1 page, Washington City, August 28, 1812, 10.25' x 8', Very Fine. A broadside titled 'Additional Instruction to the public and private armed vessels of the United States.' The future President orders: 'The public and private armed vessels of the United States are not to interrupt any vessels belonging to citizens of the United States coming from British ports to the United States laden with British Merchandize, in consequence of the alledged repeal of the British Orders of Council, but are on the contrary to give aid and assistance to the same; in order that such vessels and their cargoes may be dealt with on their arrival as may be decided by the competent authorities By command of the President of the United States of America.' Small tear in the 'vate' portion of the word 'private' on the first line and ink erosion in the signature area. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, hostilities between France and Britain threatened to jeopardize AmericaÕs sea trade. NapoleonÕs decree that France would expropriate ships of neutral countries engaged in trade with Britain was countered by British Orders forbidding neutral ships from trading with France. Thus, American ships conforming to the demands of either belligerent risked attack and confiscation by the other. The conflict came to a head with MadisonÕs declaration of war against Britain, two months before this document was issued.