Washington/Jefferson Signed Ships Passport

Washington/Jefferson Signed Ships Passport:

Extremely rare and important Washington/Jefferson signed ship’s Passport issued at the height of Franco-English Tensions. Given to John Harris, Captain of the Brig Nancy sailing from Philadelphia to Amsterdam carrying rice and coffee and dated 22 May 1793. Written as is typical in French and English on a partially printed and partially scrivened sheet housed in a later but old frame. The document bearing the signature “G. Washington” and “T. Jefferson” along with “Sharp Delaney”. At the time this document was signed, Washington was President of the United States. In April of 1793, one month before this document was issued, Washington signed the Proclamation of Neutrality. France and Britain had gone to war with each other and Washington’s signature on the Proclamation proclaimed the United States’ neutrality in this conflict. The timing of the ship’s passport is therefore fascinating since there were tensions on the high seas between American and foreign powers. The second signature is of Thomas Jefferson who Secretary of State. On April 28th, again just prior to this document being signed, Jefferson had argued that the United States should not recognize the new Revolutionary government of France. This was a politically charged issue since France had supported the United States in the Revolutionary War. Many scholars see this as one of the causes of the Quasi-War with France over the next decade. Sharp Delaney was appointed the first United States Collector of Customs by Washington in 1789 thus making this one of his first signed ship passports. He had previously served as the Pennsylvania Collector of Customs and many regard him today as the father of the Revenue service. The Brig Nancy and her captain, John Harris, appear in numerous documents during this period. It is possible that the Nancy had been the British Brig Nancy that was seized during the American Revolution. Provenance: Muckle Family, Craig Hall, Ardmore, PA 18.75″h x 13″w

Condition
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