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Lot 229: Thomas Truxtun Signed Document 1786

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,320.00 USD Estimated At:2,200.00 - 2,800.00 USD
Lot  229: Thomas Truxtun Signed Document 1786
<b>Autographs</b><hr><b>“Thos Truxtun” Signed Early China Trade Document</b>

<b>THOMAS TRUXTUN, American Revolutionary Naval Hero, One of the First Six Captains in the United States Navy.</b>
Partly-printed Document Signed “Thos: Truxtun,” December 26, 1786, Canton, (China), 5.75” x 7’, Very Fine. A very early China trade document, being a ship’s manifest for the ship “Canton,”bound from Canton, China to Philadelphia, with Thomas Truxtun as the master of the ship. The ship carried “Twenty Two Packages Merchandise for account & Risk of Messr... Stevenson.” It included six bales of nankeen, (a sturdy cotton cloth), twelve chests of hyson, (a Chinese green tea), three chests of bohea and one chest of congou (two black teas produced in China). The document has light foxing and some mounting remnants on verso. The signature is very large and bold. Truxton’s ship, the “Canton,” was the fourth American vessel, and the first from Philadelphia, to call at Canton, China.

In 1776, Truxtun served as lieutenant on board the “Congress,” which was the first private armed ship fitted out by the colonies. During the War, he commanded the “Independence,” the “Mars,” “the Commerce,” and the “St. James,” among others. He had an amazing war record; Appleton’s notes that “He was uniformly successful in all engagements with British vessels.” Truxtun was a member of the merchant marine from 1783-94. When the U.S. Navy was organized, he was chosen as one of the first six captains on June 4, 1798. Commanding the frigate “Constellation,” he was sent to the West Indies with a squadron under his command to protect commerce there. Again, many successes ensued. For his victory against the French frigate “L’Insurgente” in 1799, Lloyd’s of London sent him a present of plate worth 600 guineas. For gallantry against the French frigate “La Vengéance” in 1800, Congress gave him a gold medal and a vote of thanks, and in 1802, he was appointed commander of the squadron which was to be sent to Tripoli. Truxtun is remembered as one of the Navy’s most distinguished officers. The brig “Truxtun” was named after him.