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Document 254012

THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MADISON
Ship's papers for American schooner Fox, bound for the West Indies at a time when the British were seizing neutral American commercial vessels there.
Partly Printed DS: "Th: Jefferson" as third U.S. President and "James Madison" as Secretary of State, 1p, 16½x18. Signed in Washington, but issued from the City of New York, 1805 June 25. The text is in four columns, each in a different language; from left to right: French, Spanish, English and Dutch. In part: "Be it Known, That leave and permission are hereby given to John Sells, master or commander of the Schooner called the Fox of the burden of 87 13/95 tons, or thereabouts, lying at present in the port of New York bound for West Indies and laden with Meal, flour, Corn, Boards & Staves to depart and proceed with the said Schooner on his said voyage, such Schooner having been visited, and the said John Sells having made oath before the proper officer that the said Schooner belongs to one or more of the citizens of the United States of America, and to him or them only...which he at present navigates, is of the United States of America, and that no subjects of the present belligerent Powers have any part or portion therein, directly or indirectly, so may God Almighty help him...." Countersigned: "David Gelston, Collector". GELSTON served the State and District of New York from 1801-1820. No American ships could sail the open seas without this properly authorized passport. Just one month after the issuance of this document (July 23, 1805), Great Britain implemented a variation on a rule of trade that encouraged seizure of neutral American commercial vessels in the French West Indies. The British Rule of 1756 originally banned ships of neutral nations from trading during wartime in ports that they did not normally visit in peacetime. Since 1803, Great Britain and France had renewed their hostilities against each other. Over the course of the Napoleonic Wars they routinely seized American ships, which were neutral, and impressed American citizens aboard them. American vessels were originally able to get around the Rule of 1756 by breaking their journey between French ports in the West Indies by stopping in a neutral American port. But the Rule's variation did away with this allowance and stipulated that "the mere touching at any port without importing the cargo into the common stocks of the country" was a continuous voyage. Under this ruling Great Britain justified its seizure of many American commercial vessels. It is highly likely that the schooner Fox was at risk to this ruling during its West Indies voyage. The seizure of American ships and the impressment of its crews strained relations between the U.S., Great Britain and France. In retaliation, President Jefferson pressed for an Embargo Act, which passed on December 22, 1807, placing an embargo on all ships and vessels in the ports and harbors of the United States and requiring all American ships to refrain from international commerce. The embargo backfired; instead of threatening the British and French, New England's economy suffered, resulting in the repeal of the embargo on March 1, 1809. It was replaced that day by a non-intercourse act that prohibited trade with only the British and the French. Three days later, on March 4, 1809, Secretary of State Madison was sworn in as fourth U.S. President. On June 19, 1812, President Madison proclaimed War against Great Britain, primarily over the issues of seizure and impressments in American shipping. Full 2-inch diameter seal is affixed to a page of the same type of paper as the document, which in turn is affixed with red wax to the actual document to the right of Jefferson's signature. This manner of affixing the seal is consistent with the way it was done in Colonial and late 18th century America and is unusual on Presidential documents. Light folds, one horizontal through Jefferson's signature. Light water stains, mostly in blank areas and just touching four lines of text. Lightly nicked at top blank margin. Overall, fine condition.

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