LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

26005

Merchant Seaman and Government Broadside

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Merchant Seaman and Government Broadside
<B>Merchant Seaman and the Government: A Superb Early Nautical Broadside/Contract.</B></I> Two pages, 17" x 20", New Bedford, Massachusetts, May 1818. Large and highly impressive document, representing an agreement between Moses Goodrich, Master of the Sloop <I>Catherine</B></I> of New Bedford and the ship's crew "now bound for the Port of St. Thomas and a Market in the West Indies." Signed by the Master and crew on the bottom of the document, where the monthly wages are listed. Each crew member is identified by name, station (mariner, cook, seaman, mate), amount of money advanced before sailing, "hospital money" (67 cents) and amounts due. The entries are further noted and witnessed on the blank lower margin, all dated between April 10, 1818 and May 5, 1818. The front of the document bears an attractive and striking reprint of the "Act for the Government and Regulation of Seamen in the Merchants' Service", a spread-eagle device in the top center. The Act requires that "every master or commander of any ship or vessel bound from a port in the United States, to any foreign port...shall, before he proceed on such voyage, make an agreement in writing or in print, with every seaman or mariner on board such ship or vessel." Signed in print by John Adams, George Washington, Aaron Burr, and Thomas Jefferson. A very scarce and desirable nautical document. Ideal for display. Very good condition overall.
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