Partly-printed document, one page, 14 x 12.25, August 13, 1812. True copy of a letter of marque document commissioning "the private armed Schooner called the Thomas…owned by Abraham Shaw of Portsmouth, State of New Hampshire, Merchant, amounting 4 swicels & 10 carriage guns, and navigated by Ninety men, hereby authorizing Thomas M. Shaw, Captain and Nenj. Damrill & William Vaughan, Lieutenants of the said Sch. Thomas…to subdue, seize and take any armed or unarmed British vessel, public or private, which shall be found within the jurisdictional limited of the United States." The names of President James Madison and Secretary of State James Monroe are printed at the conclusion. Endorsed along the bottom as a "True Copy" by "J. Ladd, D. Coll." Matted to an overall size of 20 x 18. In fine condition, with a couple of areas of light toning. During the War of 1812, the United States relied upon privateers to bolster its fledgling Navy against the stronger British forces. Abraham Shaw, a New Hampshire merchant, owned several such vessels.
