Description:

(UNION NAVY) UNITED STATES SEAMAN'S PROTECTION CERTIFICATE
An interesting Civil War-era partly printed document, 1p. 4to., New Bedford, Aug. 14, 1865, issued by the State of Massachusetts, a seaman's protection certificate provided to Samuel N. Wentworth of Portland, Maine as proof of his American citizenship under the ‘Act for the Relief and Protection of American Seamen', passed in 1796 to guard against the British practice of impressment, or the seizing of men and sailors for service in the Royal Navy. Because of the ease by which one could acquire a certificate, these certificates were sometimes disregarded by the British as invalid. Any sailor believed by a Royal Navy officer, when boarding an American merchant ship, to be British could be taken, resulting in the impressment of American and other foreign citizens into the Royal Navy. The frequency of these occurrences increased in the early 19th century as Great Britain, embroiled in a decades-long war against France, became increasingly desperate for able-bodied seamen to man its ships. The considerable tension caused by this practice played a key role in the United States' decision to declare war against Britain in June of 1812. The certificate presented here shows notable paper loss at the corners and edges, with horizontal splits and a 3 in. tear repaired on the verso with tape, still in good condition overall.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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