Partly-printed vellum DS, signed “Th: Jefferson” as president and “James Madison” as secretary of state, one page, 10 x 15.25, April 17, 1805. Scalloped-top ship’s pass issued for “the Ship Friendship of Salem, Israel Williams master or commander…mounted with ten guns, navigated with twenty two men to pass with her Company, Passengers, Goods and Merchandise without any hindrance, seizure or molestation of the said Ship.” White paper seal affixed to lower left remains intact with loss of a couple corner tips. Intersecting folds and Madison’s signature somewhat light, otherwise fine condition.
The Friendship was a 171-foot long merchant vessel completed in 1797 by Master Shipbuilder Enos Briggs of Salem, Massachusetts, and Israel Williams became its first captain. On a trade mission bound for Batavia in 1798, Williams found the supplies for his crew running low—most crucially, fresh water. Luckily, Williams was able to improvise a method of distilling saltwater from the ocean, which allowed his crew to survive the rest of the journey. The Friendship made 15 voyages during its years in service, traveling throughout the world to India, China, South America, the Caribbean, England, Germany, the Mediterranean, and Russia, until its ill-fated final voyage in 1812—the captain, then Edward Stanley, was unaware of the declaration of war against England, and his ship was captured as a prize of war by the British HMS Rosamond. A choice example of a document issued for a ship with a particularly fascinating history, featuring an especially bold Jefferson signature. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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