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THBGeorge Washington, 18th Century Maritime Broadsheet Regulating Merchant Seaman, Signed in Print by the President, with Detail
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Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
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About Auction
LiveSep 8, 2017 - Sep 9, 2017
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
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- Lot Description
Washington, George (1732-1799). Rare broadsheet reprinting a "True Copy" of the 1790 An Act for the Government and Regulation of Seamen in the Merchant's Service. Signed in print by George Washington as well as Speaker of the House Frederick Muhlenburg, Vice President John Adams, and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. 2pp, 15.25 x 19.5 in. New York, NY: Printed and sold by Hugh Gaine, at the Bible, in Pearl Street.
Verso partially printed with contract details relevant to seamen and a ship's master, and filled in with specific crew details relating to the May 1797 voyage of the Sloop Nancy of New York. A post-voyage statement of Sloop Nancy accounts dated August 16, 1797, also accompanies the broadside and is attached via seal on the upper left side of the broadsheet.
The July 1790 Act for the Government and Regulation of Seamen in the Merchant's Service required detailed contracts between a ship's master and crew for all interstate voyages, and included guidelines related to wages, desertions and required provisions. Booksellers printed variations of this rare broadsheet with the full text of the law on one side and a contractual agreement on the other.
This broadside states:
It is agreed between the Master, Seamen or Mariners, of the Sloop Nancy of New York, now in the Port of New York, and bound from said place to the Port of Jacuemel in the Island of Hispaniola, and at & from said place to any French Port or Ports in the aforementioned Islands at & from them or either of them back to New York. That, in Consideration of the monthly, or other wages against each respective Seaman and Mariner's name hereunder set, they severally shall and will perform the above-mentioned voyage...at such monthly wages or prices, to be paid pursuant to this agreement and the laws od Congress of the United States of America...
After a lengthy explanation of the expectations and agreements for each party, the contract concludes, "In Testimony Whereof, we have each and every of us under affixed our hands, the month and day against our names as here under-written." A roster below records the inked signatures of five sailors - one captain, one mate, two seamen, and a cook - along with the date of signature, witnesses to the signing, advance wages, wages per month, and whole wages. Signatures are dated May 18, 1797, through May 20, 1797. Inked notations below the signatures dated August 16, 1797 indicate wages received from the signatories.
The Sloop Nancy appears to have been built in Albany, NY, in 1794, and as of March 19, 1796, the owner can be identified as a John Casper Heyes. Sloop Nancy's Shipping Bill is written in ink at the bottom of the reprinted 1790 Act. An additional document measuring 12.75 x 8 in. is affixed to one side of the broadsheet, and is signed by ship captain Clement Miner. Headlined Captain Clement Miner in a/c with Owner of the Sloop Nancy, the document then appears to outline the expenses incurred by the ship captain and present total expenditures.
Together these documents present a rare glimpse into the bustling maritime trade.
Condition
Pencilled notes on one side of broadside. Also some slight wear at the folds and edge lines, a few ink splatters, but none affect legibility of text and overall in good condition. Attached document accounting for expenditures has some slight creasing but also is in good condition.
Repaired with patch visible on reverse of canvas. Several areas of in-painting along edges.
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