George Washington Partial Three-Language Ship's Papers Signed ...

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George Washington Partial Three-Language Ship's Papers Signed "G. Washington" as the first president and countersigned by Edmund Randolph, "Edm. Randolph", as secretary of state. One page partly printed, 13" x 10", March 9, 1795, no place is given, but Philadelphia was used as the United States' temporary capital in the 1790s. Impressive ship's papers stating that "leave and permission, are hereby given to William McIntere master or commander of the Sloop called the Delia. . . in the port of Savannah, bound for the West Indies, and laden with, Tobacco, Rice and Shingles. . . ." The text is in three languages separated as columns; from left to right: French, English, and Dutch.

This document was signed by Washington two years before the end of his second and final term as president. His signature is beautifully signed, large, and in the center of the document. The signature of Randolph sits below. Document bears a large embossed paper Great Seal of the United States in the lower left. The lower part part of the document, which would command the ship's safe passage and would also be in three languages, has been discretely cut away under the countersignature of John Habersham, the collector of customs at the Savannah port. Still, the document would make a beautiful display of Washington's signature. The document has been matted to an overall size of 16.25" x 13". With mended separations on the verso along the folds, gently toned, very good.