Description:

FAIR COPY OF A PRIVATEER'S COMMISSION
Period fair copy of a Revolutionary War privateer's commission, possibly one kept aboard the vessel or retained by an officer, 1p. large 4to., Boston, July 21, 1781. In part: ‘In Congress, The Delegates of the United States...Know Ye That We have granted & by these Presents do grant... Authority to Nehemiah Buffinton Marine Commander of the ship called the Rhodes further two hundred and twenty tons or there abouts, belonging to Wm. Shilabon and others of Salem mounting twenty carriage guns & managed by one hundred & twenty men to fit out and set forth the ship in a war like manner & by with the ship & crew thereof by force of arms to attack, subdue, & take all ships…' and signed by a proxy for Samuel Huntington at bottom. Heavily worn. The privateer Rhodes was in service from 1780 to 1782 when she was captured by the British 64-gun ship of the line HMS Prothee and renamed the HMS Barbadoes. Rough margins with holes, otherwise very good.

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April 2, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000