Printed in four columns, in Spanish, French, English and Dutch, the English column filled out in ink, granting safe passage for William Coit, master of the ship Ann, from New York to Hull, with a cargo of "Iron, Serpentine, Rosin... Cotton... Flour, Rice..." etc. Signed in ink by Thomas Jefferson as President, and James Madison as Secretary of State, with embossed paper seal. 44x55 cm. (17½x21½"), framed and matted under plexiglass, with portraits of Jefferson and Madison, and two metal title-plaques; overall 115x67 cm. (45½x26¼").
A fine example of ship's papers from the beginning of the 19th century signed by two Presidents, Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States (serving 1801-1809), and by his successor James Madison, then Secretary of State, who was to succeed him as president, serving from 1809 to 1817. Thomas Jefferson's influence on the founding and early years of the United States cannot be overstated. As the prime author of the Declaration of Independence, his vision of the nation is felt to this day, as are his efforts at expanding the borders from sea to sea. James Madison, the fourth president, was only slightly less influential, hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being instrumental in the drafting of the United States Constitution and as the key champion and author of the United States Bill of Rights, and his keen understanding of affairs of state set up the fledgling U.S. as an equal to the great European powers of the day. A splendid document signed by two of the Founding Fathers of the United Sates, who served for 16 successive years as president, domination the early decades of 19th century American politics.
Condition:
Old folds, as is inevitable with such papers, a few small neat repairs at the folds with slight loss of text, very good or better, the signatures clear and bold.