Partly-printed DS, signed “J. Tyler” as president and "Dan'l Webster" as secretary of state, one page, 20.25 x 16.5, June 14, 1843. Four-language ship’s paper issued to “Varanus Smith, master or commander of the Ship called Scotland…lying at present in the port of Boston, bound for East Indies + Pacific Ocean and laden with Merchandise." The Dutch-language section contains different ship information, indicating that the document was used, or attempted to be used, for two ships. Boldly signed by President John Tyler and countersigned by Secretary of State Daniel Webster. The middle portion retains the original white paper seal. In very good to fine condition, with staining, and small areas of paper loss, along the intersecting folds.
The document was originally completed by hand in 1842 for the American ship ‘Barnstable’ captained by James B. Hatch, hauling merchandise; this three-mast wooden ship sailed from Boston, MA, for Monterey, CA, in February 1842 and returned in April 1845. The document was overwritten by hand in three of four sections to show the year 1845, apparently to be reused for the American whale ship Scotland captained by Varanus Smith out of Nantucket. It was fitted in Boston and sailed in October 1845, returning in February 1851 with 2,660 barrels of sperm oil and 226 barrels of whale oil. The reason for the reuse or attempted reuse of the paper is unknown, but it is possible that no blank forms were available.
Blank ship papers were signed in advance by presidents and secretaries in Washington and sent to various ports, with each paper intended to be used once. The paper established nationality and provided basic information about the ship, cargo, and destination. By the time this letter was overwritten in the fall of 1845 for the ‘Scotland,’ both Tyler and Webster were out of office.
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