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John Adams Signed Four Language Ship's Passport....
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Description
John Adams Signed Ship's Passport Permitting Trade with France's Ally, Spain, During the Quasi War with France
John Adams Signed Four Language Ship's Passport. Single
sheet, 490 x 392 mm. No place, December 5, 1798. Full four-language
ship's passport issued to "Ammi Smith, master or commander of
the Sch[oone]r called the Juno of the burthen of one hundred
six tons or thereabouts, lying at present in the port of
Newburyport bound for Bilboa and laden with sugar, coffee, oil,
fish." Countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary
of State. With blind embossed paper seal at left intact.Just three days after signing this passport, John Adams addressed the Senate and House of Representatives in his Second Annual Message. Adams focused his message on the necessity of establishing a larger military and navy in the face of the nascent country's inability to find diplomatic solutions to ongoing disputes with France. He said, "But in demonstration by our conduct that we do not fear war in the necessary protection of our rights and honor we shall give no room to infer that we abandon the desire of peace. An efficient preparation for war can alone insure peace. It is peace that we have uniformly and perseveringly cultivated, and harmony between us and France may be restored at her option" (John Adams, "Second Annual Message," December 8, 1798).
The discord with France began when the United States refused to continue to repay its debts to France incurred during the American Revolution. The US claimed that since the French crown had been toppled during the French Revolution, the debt was no longer owed. The French responded by attacking American ships. By the time John Adams took office as President, the French had seized hundreds of American ships. The resulting Quasi-War would continue until 1800. Spain was a close ally of France. The scarce ship's passport signed by Adams, permitted trade with Spain, despite the ongoing disputes with France.
Ammi Smith would later captain the brig Venus, which was captured by the French in 1800. He filed a claim for his losses in 1831.
Condition: Very slight block of overall toning from prior display. Small chip of paper and tiny tears along the top margin. Small bit of paper loss at top left margin. Minor tearing and chipping along the left margin. Center vertical fold has been reinforced on verso. Minor adhesive stains to verso edges.
Provenance: Property of A Distinguished American Collector From The Pacific Northwest
Auction Info
2023 July 8 Historical Platinum Signature® Auction #6275 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
July, 2023
8th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 15
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