PRESIDENT JAMES MADISON - WHALING SHIPS PAPERS SIGNED 03/08/1811 CO-SIGNED BY: DAVID GELSTON, ROBERT SMITH (POLITICIAN) - HFSID 43280

JAMES MADISON, CO-SIGNED BY: ROBERT SMITH, DAVID GELSTON
Ship's papers for a schooner out of New York, signed by president Madison and by Smith as Secretary of State in 1811
Whaling ships papers signed "James Madison" as President, "RSmith" as Secretary of State and "DGelston". 1 page, 10¼x15¼ vellum with 3-inch paper Great Seal of the United States affixed in lower left corner. New York, New York, March 8, 1811. In full: "Suffer the Schooner [illegible] of New York, [illegible] master or commander of the burthen of One hundred fifty seven & 38/95 or thereabouts mounted with no guns navigated with Seven men to Pass with her Company Passengers Goods and Merchandize without any hinderance seizure or molestation the said Brig appearing by good testimony to belong to one or more of the Citizens of the United States and to him or them only." Schooners are ships characterized by fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts, where the forward mast is shorter or the same height as the rear masts. These ships were a Dutch development from the 17th century, although the first true schooner was probably built in 1713 in England. By the end of the 18th century, schooners were the United States' most important ship. Such ships have shallower drafts, which allows them to be used in shallow waters, and can be sailed with small crews relative to their sizes. They were used in applications that required speed and the ability to sail into the wind, which included legitimate trade and fishing as well as blockade running, privateering, and slaving. No information is available about this schooner - indeed, the name of the ship and commander are both illegible - so it's hard to say whether her voyage out of New York in 1811 was virtuous or villainous - or a little bit of both. Scalloped at top edge. Lightly toned, stained, soiled and creased. Right edge is irregular. Upper right corner is rippled and creased. Small tears and creases in lower left corner. Document has been folded vertically twice and horizontally twice. Folds are toned. Otherwise in fine condition.