July 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, July 23rd, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2013
Fascinating John Adams document signed as President. Document dated 10 August 1798 concerns the schooner ''Nancy'' during the time of the ''XYZ Affair,'' a period of tension that brought the U.S. and France to the brink of war, during which time United States merchant ships came under threat from French privateers. Partially-printed document reads in part, ''...sailing under the auspices of the United States of America...no subjects of present belligerent powers [France and Britain] have any part or portion [of the ship or its cargo] therein...'' Cargo is listed as, ''...food, including beef, pork, shad, butter, oil, cheese, flour, crackers, onions, and apples...'' The schooner ''Nancy'' was listed as having filed an insurance claim, as cited in Greg H. Williams' book, ''The French Assault on American Shipping, 1793-1813, A History and Comprehensive Record of Merchant Marine Losses'', published by McFarland & Company, Inc.: North Carolina: 2009. Vellum document measures 19.25'' x 15.25'' with an exceptionally large signature by John Adams. Countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State. Framed to a size of 33.5'' x 24''. Folds and a few small tears at edges. Overall near fine.
John Adams Four-Language Ship's Papers Signed as President -- From The Privateer-Raided Schooner ''Nancy'' at the Height of French-American Tensions
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