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Document 5364

MILLARD FILLMORE and DANIEL WEBSTER. Partly Printed DS: "Millard Fillmore" as 13th U.S. President and "Danl Webster" as Secretary of State, 1p, 21¼x16. Washington, 1852 October 23. Four language ship's papers (French, Spanish, English, Dutch) issued at New Bedford, Massachusetts. In part: "Be it known That leave and permission are hereby given to John C. Norton master or commander of the Ship called John Coggershall...lying at present in the port of New Bedford bound for Pacific Ocean and laden with Provisions, Stores and utensils for a whaling voyage...." Because whaling ships leaving New Bedford needed ship's papers before a voyage, the documents were signed by the President and Secretary of State ahead of time and forwarded to the port. The Collector of the Port would then fill in the required information. DANIEL WEBSTER, who served as Secretary of State under Presidents Harrison, Tyler and FILLMORE, died on October 24, 1852, the day after this document was issued. The decline of American sperm whaling had begun three years before this document was issued, with the California gold rush. Many crew members of whaling ships deserted to seek their fortunes prospecting for gold. In New Bedford, however, the industry did not reach its peak until 1857, when the town's whaling fleet was valued at more than $12,000,000. 2½-inch diameter paper seal affixed with red wax. Repaired file holes at upper blank margin. 1-inch separation at upper mid-vertical fold at blank margin. Mounting remnants show through at top margin. Lightly stained. Lightly shaded at folds touching the "o" in Fillmore. Slightly worn edges.

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