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Letter to Ship Captain, Rhode Island, 1797

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Post-Revolutionary War to Civil War

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1797 "Quasi-War" With France... Avoid "Privateers"

December 21, 1797, Letter to a Ship's Captain, to Avoid "Privateers," Providence, RI, Fine.
Autograph Letter Signed, "Jno. Corlis," on watermarked, fine-laid paper, 12" x 8.25," addressed to "Capt. Simon Smith." Light staining, small edge tears, a couple of small holes and two small tape repairs on verso. Corlis writes to Smith, who is aboard the "Havannah," asking him to purchase "twelve jars of honey and two or three clever green turtle (sic)," and to be careful about robbers, in part:
"I would advise you by all means to keep from the knowledge of your people, that you have any money on board, & more caution will be required to keep it from the knowledge of people on shore, who will inform privateersmen that will follow you out and rob you."
This letter has some terrific content, from the days when the fledgling United States were in a state of "Quasi" war with France, and when pirates and "Privateers" conducted war by terrorizing American ships at sea.



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