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

25031

Thomas Jefferson & James Madison Ship's Papers

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Thomas Jefferson & James Madison Ship's Papers
<B>Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Four Language Ship's Papers Signed</B></I> "<I>Th: Jefferson</B></I>" as president and "<I>James Madison</B></I>" as secretary of state, one page, 20" x 16" (visible under matting). Framed under glass with two printed portraits of Jefferson and Madison to an overall size of 28.5" x 32". Signed in Washington but issued at New York, June 5, 1804. Partly printed in four languages (French, Spanish, English, Dutch) so that anyone who might intercept the ship would be able to understand that it is an American ship and that "...no subjects of the present belligerent powers have any part or portion therein, directly nor indirectly..." In part: "Be it known, That leave and permission are hereby given to Ansel Hammond master or commander of the Schooner called the Julian of the burthen of 99 82/95 tons or thereabouts, lying at present in the port of New York bound for Martinique and laden with Fish, Corn, pork, Beef, Candles, Oil, Butter, Fallow, flour, harns, Staves Shingles & Boards...that the said Schooner belongs to one or more of the citizens of the United States of America, and to him or them only..." Countersigned: "<I>David Gelston</B></I>" as Collector of the Customs at New York. Gelston has signed directly beneath Madison and the upper loops of the "D" and "G" touch Madison's signature. David Gelston (1744-1828) signed the Articles of Association in 1775 and was a member of the last Continental Congress in 1789. Appointed by President Jefferson as Collector of the port of New York in 1801, he served until 1820. Paper Seal of the United States affixed at the left with red wax with a smaller seal affixed at the bottom left.<BR><BR>According to British government records, on November 13, 1812, the "Schooner Julian, of 80 tons, from Boston, bound to New York, laden with salt, oil, and fish" was captured by the Liverpool Packet privateer. This capture is on "A Listof such Ships and Vessels, belonging to the Government or People of the United States of America, as having been brought as Prize within the Jurisdiction of the Vice-Admiralty Court at Halifax, from the 1st day of June 1812, to the 14th day of December following."<BR><BR>Documents signed by two U.S. Presidents are scarce and those signed by the author of the Declaration of Independence and the "Father of the Constitution" are extremely desirable.
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