WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Partly printed document signed ("G:Washington") as President, COUNTERSIGNED BY SECRETARY OF STATE THOMAS JEFFERSON, by John Fitzgerald, Collector of the Port of Alexandria, and Robert Mease, Mayor; issued in Alexandria, Virginia, 24 May 1794. 1 page, folio, 400 x 320mm. (16 x 12 1/2 in.), two papered seals, light browning, edges worn, paper brittle with small cracks at top, several repairs from verso, typical slit cancellation slightly affects the "sh" in Washington's very bold signature, THREE-LANGUAGE SHIP'S PAPERS for the vessel Marshall, commanded by Robert Miller, sailing from Alexandria to Rotterdam and "laden with Tobacco & Hogs head Staves..." The document, with text in French, English and Dutch, attempted to insure safe passage for American ships by declaring "that no subjects of the present belligerent powers have any part or portion therein, directly nor indirectly, so may God Almighty help him..."

Details

WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Partly printed document signed ("G:Washington") as President, COUNTERSIGNED BY SECRETARY OF STATE THOMAS JEFFERSON, by John Fitzgerald, Collector of the Port of Alexandria, and Robert Mease, Mayor; issued in Alexandria, Virginia, 24 May 1794. 1 page, folio, 400 x 320mm. (16 x 12 1/2 in.), two papered seals, light browning, edges worn, paper brittle with small cracks at top, several repairs from verso, typical slit cancellation slightly affects the "sh" in Washington's very bold signature, THREE-LANGUAGE SHIP'S PAPERS for the vessel Marshall, commanded by Robert Miller, sailing from Alexandria to Rotterdam and "laden with Tobacco & Hogs head Staves..." The document, with text in French, English and Dutch, attempted to insure safe passage for American ships by declaring "that no subjects of the present belligerent powers have any part or portion therein, directly nor indirectly, so may God Almighty help him..."