U.S. Navy Proof of Citizenship to Avoid British Impressment 1806

NAVAL. Partially Printed Document Signed by James H. McCulloch, “Jas. H. McCulloch”, as Collector of the District of Baltimore, 1p, 8” x 9.875”, September 8, 1806. Document number 857, marked “Duplicate”, is a declaration of proof of United States citizenship for seaman George W. Ligget. Blind-embossed seal at lower right, docketing to verso. Scattered foxing; toning; soiling; creasing; small areas of paper loss at intersecting folds; a 1” separation at left central horizontal fold not affecting text; else, very good condition.

From the end of the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812, the British Royal Navy forcibly boarded American merchant ships to seize English-speaking seamen and press them into service on British vessels. On May 28, 1796, an act of Congress for the relief and protection of American seamen, which includes instructions for the issuance of certificates of citizenship to seamen, was signed into law. These documents later became commonly known as seamen's protection certificates. They were issued by the Collector of Customs at individual ports of entry to merchant seamen and masters of merchant vessels engaged in foreign trade. The object was to prevent the detention and impressment of American seamen lawfully engaged in the service of a U.S. merchant vessel. Between 1793 and 1812, the British impressed more than 15,000 U.S. sailors to supplement their fleet during their Napoleonic Wars with France.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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