War of 1812
War of 1812 American "Privateer" Commission Document
c. 1812, War of 1812 Period, Partially-Printed, Privateer (Private Armed Naval Vessel) Commission Document, Choice Very Fine.
Rarely encountered original printed Document Form in deep black text on quality watermarked laid period paper, unaccomplished, 1 page, folio, measuring 7.75" by 12.5" and for the Commissioning an American Privateer Ship as presented in application by its Owner(s). This Document reads:
"Know all Men by these presents, - THAT WE ________ Owner(s)__ of the private armed vessel of ________ men and ________Commander of the same ______________________ are held and firmly bound to the United States of America, in the penal sum of ____________ thousand dollars, money of the United States, to the payment whereof we bind ourselves jointly and severally, our joint and several heirs, executors and administrators, Wit-ness our hands and seals this _________ day of _________ in the year of our Lord 18___.
The condition of the above obligation is such, that whereas the President of the United States hath this day commissioned the said private armed vessel as a letter of marquee and reprisal; now if the owner, officers and crew of the said armed vessel shall observe the treaties and laws of the United States, and the instructions which shall be given them according to law for the regulation of their conduct, and satisfy all damages and injuries which shall be done or committed contrary to the tenor thereof by such vessel during her commission, and deliver up the same when revoked by the President of the United States, then this obligation shall be void, and otherwise remain in full force. -- (Signatures) -- Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us. - (Signatures)"
In wartime, most maritime countries used such Privately Owned Vessels as an informal adjunct to their own "official" Naval forces. The United States, in allowing civilian ship owners to capture enemy craft and sell them and their contents on the open market for personal profit did, at any rate, engage all possible naval military vessels at a time when Congress did not have the power or authority to requisition them. An extremely rare official American Privateer, Private Armed Naval Vessel form, the only example of this type we have seen.
Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II.