Lot 2122 email save

1781 Document British Seize American Ship

Sign In to see what this sold for

American Revolution

---

British Navy Seizes an American Ship During the Revolutionary War

November 7, 1781, Revolutionary War Manuscript Document Attesting that the British have Seized an American Ship, Boston, MA, Very Fine.
This four page 7.5" x 6.25" document is written upon watermarked fine quality laid paper. It is the sworn testimony by Capt. James McGee, "late Master of the Brig Amsterdam" and the testimony reads, in full:
"By this Public Instrument of Protest Be it Known & made Manifest that on the Seventh day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred & Eighty one personally appeared before me Ezekiel Price Notary Public by legal Authority Admitted & Sworn, Dwelling and Practicing in Boston Aforesaid James McGee Late Master of the Brig Amsterdam who Manifested & Declared upon Oath that on the twenty fifth day of August last he sailed in & with said Brig laded with Dry Good, Iron, Steel, Copper, Tea &c. bound on a voyage to Boston that in prosecution of said Voyage on the nineteenth day of October following being then in Lat. 42.46 North was Seized Taken and made Prize of by a British Ship of War named the Amphitite mounting twenty eight carriage guns, Commanded by Robert Biggs who afterwards took out of said Brig the Officers & Crew… Six of them and ordered them on Board the said Ship and carried them all into Baggaduce in Penobscot River Where they arrived the twenty first of October from whence they arrived at Boston yesterday in abated and now the Appearer desires a protest."
There is a manuscript endorsement by the Consul General of France on third page. There is a reinforced tear along the left central edge with some minor paper loss affecting a few words. Otherwise, this historic document remains quite bright and bold in appearance with crisp, brown writing. An important Revolutionary War Naval document.



Early American will accept payment by check or credit card.

View Early American next auction.

Similar lots up for auction