Description:

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison sign a very clean and bright four-language Ship's Paper for the ship Betsey, which was lost in the English Channel a month after sailing from New York

Partly-printed Document Signed, "Th:Jefferson," as President, 1 page, 20.5" x 16.5", [Washington], November 3, 1806, countersigned, "James Madison," as Secretary of State, a four-language ship's paper issued to master Thomas Doyle of the Ship Betsey bound for Amsterdam. Expected folds, very minor chips and tears at margins, light soiling to verso, else fine condition with two intact embossed seals of the United States.

The ship's paper, issued in English, Dutch, French and Spanish at New York by Collector David Gelston, who signs immediately below Madison's signature, noted that the ship Betsey was bound for Amsterdam with a cargo of "Ashes - Sugar - Coffee, Tobacco & Logwood" The 269 ton ship cleared the harbor several days after the passport was issued and arrived in Amsterdam but was lost in mid-December near Plymouth, England. Five aboard were reported drowned. (Republican Watch Tower, New York, Nov. 7, 1806, 2; Public Advertiser, New York, Feb. 14, 1807, 3)

The paper features very clean examples of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison signatures and is additionally signed by William Bleecker (1722-1818) as notary public„a member of the family that is the namesake for Bleecker Street in New York.

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December 15, 2015 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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