Lot Details
Lot 266
WASHINGTON, GEORGE Three language ships papers signed, countersigned by Thomas Jefferson. [New York:] 9 June 1794. Partly p...
. [New York:] 9 June 1794. Partly printed document accomplished in manuscript allowing William Corran, Master of the Brig Eagle, passage to France from Norfolk. The document printed in French, English and Dutch and boldly signed by Washington as president at center and countersigned by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Retains paper-covered wax seal. The verso docketed by a Norfolk notary public and again in May 1795 (see note). 9 x 12 1/2 inches (23 x 32 cm); housed in a double-sided frame with portraits of both signers. Usual folds, puncture at one fold affecting a few words of type, ink show through from verso, old dampstain to one extremity, unexamined out of double-sided frame.
A very fine and large Washington signature with the countersignature of Thomas Jefferson on a shipping document with an interesting history. The papers here permit the Eagle to travel to France carrying flour. Once arrived, the Eagle was chartered to transport cargo and French prisoners of war from Guernsey to France, but, as docketing on the verso by the Vice Consul reports, the ship was detained at Roscoff, its crew arrested, and the ship was not permitted to leave France until May 1795. It is uncertain if Commander William Corran, named on this document, is the same William Corran convicted of the murder of a crewman on board the Brig Falmouth in Nova Scotia in July 1794 (the published account of this murder considered one of the most graphic in its day). See Williams, Greg. The French Assault on American Shipping, 2009, p. 123.
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