Uncommon Washington and Jefferson Ship’s Papers Dated After Jefferson’s Resignation

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Item: 23518

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WASHINGTON, GEORGE. (1732-1799). Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and first president of the United States from 1789-1797 & THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743-1826). Third president of the United States and first Secretary of State. Partially printed DS signed by Washington (“G: Washington”) as president and Jefferson (“Th: Jefferson”) as Secretary of State. 1p. Large folio. May 26, 1794. A three-language ship’s papers in French, English and Dutch for the brig Industry (104 tons, with John Robb as master, possibly James Alexander Robb, 1769-1818, whose son employed Frederick Douglass as a caulker at his Baltimore shipyard) proceeding from Baltimore to the British sugar-producing colony of Barbados with a cargo of flour, bread, peas, codfish, and tobacco as part of the triangular trade that brought slaves to the United States.

In February 1793, France, with which the United States was allied, declared war on the Netherlands and Great Britain, the world’s dominant naval powers. To protect American merchants and their ships from capture, beginning in March 1793, a number of passports were issued in bulk, signed by Washington and Jefferson, with the authority of their respective offices, and sent to the collectors of customs at various ports for distribution to ships to prevent their seizure on the high seas. “As Secretary of State, Jefferson’s approach to foreign affairs was limited by Washington’s preference for neutrality regarding the war between Britain and France. Jefferson favored closer ties to France, who had supported the United States during the Revolutionary War. Tension within Washington’s cabinet—notably with Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who favored an assertive central government—prompted Jefferson’s resignation,” (US. Department of State, Office of the Historian) as the nation’s first secretary of state on December 31, 1793, five months prior to the date of our document, which was countersigned by the collector of the port of Baltimore, OTHO HOLLAND WILLIAMS (1749-1794, “O.H. Williams”). In 1775 Williams volunteered to fight in the American Revolution. He was captured by the British during the Battle of Fort Washington, led the 6^th Maryland Regiment in battles in New Jersey and the South after his release, and ended the war with the rank of brigadier general. Returning to civilian life, he was appointed the first commissioner of the Port of Baltimore, and became an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Also signed by Baltimore Justice of the Peace GEORGE SALMON (?-1807, “Geo Salmon”), an Irish emigre and partner in the Baltimore mercantile firm Woolsey & Salmon which outfitted privateers during the American Revolution. James McHenry wrote to Washington several times to recommend Salmon for customs positions but Washington ignored the request. Salmon later helped found the Bank of Baltimore and was elected its first president in 1796.

Bearing a large U.S. white paper seal and a second seal adjacent to Salmon’s signature. Browned with some wear, a few small holes, and expertly silked on the verso, otherwise very good. Ship’s papers dated after Jefferson’s resignation are uncommon and sought after.