Description:

[WAR OF 1812] OFFICIAL SEAMAN'S PROTECTION CERTIFICATE
Scarce partly-printed D.S., 1p. large 8vo., issued by William R. Lee, Customs Collector for the District of Salem and Beverly, Mass., Nov. 24, 1806 attesting that Joseph S. Foster was an 'American Seaman, aged Eighteen years or thereabouts, and as per the "Act for the Relief and Protection of Seamen" of May 28, 1796 has produced evidence that he is a 'Citizen of the United States of America'. Some staining at bottom, toned with a few other scattered stain, folds as one would expect, and a corner chip, still overall entirely presentable. Such documents were important to American seamen as they prevented seizure and impressment into the Royal Navy from an American ship, one of the major causes of the War of 1812 which broke out just six years later.
Seamen's Protection Certificates were usually printed documents, varying in size and style, and were carried by American seamen as proof of citizenship. The certificate was obtained by the individual through the custom house, public notary, or U.S. Consul when required in a foreign port. It contained the person's name, birthplace, approximate age, height, skin color, eye and hair color, and other distinctive descriptive information, such as the location of scars or tattoos. 'United States of America' was often printed prominently across the top, and the word 'protection' might also appear. Small engravings of the American eagle often served to decorate and establish the nationality of the holder. A serial number was included on every Customs Protection Certificate for record keeping purposes. The wording of the document was standardized, verbatim from the Act of 1796. Because it was easy to abuse the system of proving ones citizenship, the Royal Navy did not always honor the Protection Certificates. Collectors were required to keep a record the certificates issued and send quarterly lists to the State Department. As the threat to American freedom on the high seas began to disappear, Protection Certificates became more valuable as identification, and they were used as such until 1940, when the Seamen's Continuous Discharge Book replaced them.

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December 8, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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