American statesman (1745–1829) who served variously as President of the Continental Congress, diplomat, and, from 1789 to 1795, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Printed DS, signed “John Jay” [with printed caption as “President”; evidently on behalf of John Hancock, who was then President of the Continental Congress], one page, 7 x 11.5, April 3, 1776. A broadside headed “In Congress” and titled “Instructions to the Commanders of Private Ships or Vessels of War, which shall have Commissions or Letters of Marque and Reprisal, authorising them to make Captures of British Vessels and Cargoes.” The eleven articles below read, in part: “I. You may, by force of Arms, attack, subdue, and take all Ships and other Vessels belonging to the Subjects of the King of Great-Britain, on the High Seas, or between High-water and Low-water Marks, except Ships and Vessels bringing persons who intend to settle and reside in the United Colonies, or bringing Arms, Ammunition, or warlike Stores to the said Colonies, for the use of such Inhabitants thereof as are Friends to the American Cause, which you shall suffer to pass unmolested, the Commanders thereof permitting a peaceable Search, and giving satisfactory Information of the contents of the Ladings, and Destinations of the Voyages. II. You may, by Force of Arms, attack, subdue, and take all Ships and other Vessels whatsoever, carrying Soldiers, Arms, Gun-powder, Ammunition, Provisions, or another other contraband Goods, to any of the British Armies or Ships of War, employed against these colonies.... V. You shall keep and preserve every Ship of Vessel and Cargo by you taken until they shall, by Sentence of a court properly authorized, be adjudged lawful Prize, or acquitted—not selling, spoiling, wasting, or diminishing the same, or breaking the Bulk thereof, nor suffering any such Thing to be done. VI. If you, or any of your Officers or Crew, shall, in cold Blood, kill or maim, or by Torture or otherwise, cruelly, inhumanly, and contrary to common Usage and the Practice of civilized Nations in War, treat any person or Persons surprized in the Ship or Vessel you shall take, the Offender shall be severely punished. VII. You shall, by all convenient Opportunities, send to Congress written Accounts of the Captures you shall make, with the Number and Names of the Captives, Copies of your Journal from Time to Time, and Intelligence of what may occur or be discovered concerning the Designs of the Enemy, and the Destinations, Motions and Operations of their Fleets and Armies.... IX. You shall not ransome any Prisoners or Captives, but shall dispose of them in such Manner as the Congress, or if that be not fitting in the Colony whither they shall be brought, as the General Assembly, Convention, or Council or Committee of Safety of such Colony shall direct....” Matted and framed to an overall size of 16 x 20.25. Horizontal folds (small edge separations and chips, evidently restored from reverse) and mild wrinkling and soiling, otherwise fine, bright condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
