Collection Search

Pardon of Bernhardt Taucke, convicted of over-boarding his Brig "Caroline." Inlcudes certification letter.

Taucke's vessel, the Danish Brig. "Caroline," was seized for it being over the 11 passenger limit. Remission of fine of $150, which has been noted on p. 3 by P. Riley of Boston. (c/s Daniel Webster)

GLC00045.12

Pardon of Peter Robert Clark (c/s J. Howard McGrath [AG])

Convicted of piracy on the high seas: pardoned since his jail sentence had been commuted, his fine paid and his probation served. (No other reason mentioned.)

GLC00045.43

Privateer's commission for the sloop Union during the War of 1812

Signed by Madison as president and countersigned by James Monroe as secretary of state. Partly printed document commissioning the privateer, under the command of Captain Oliver Hicks and Lieutenant William Rust, to "seize and take any armed or...

GLC00053

[Passport for the brigantine "Alert" of Newburyport, commanded by Samuel Herrick]

Countersigned by Secretary of State Madison and Collector for the port of Newburyport Ralph Cross. The ship weighed 148 tons, had no mounted guns, and was navigated by an eight man crew. Printed on vellum and numbered 19. Signed as President.

GLC00058

[Pardon of William Field for violations of maritime law]

Countersigned by Secretary of State John Forsyth. Field, master of the schooner Boston, was convicted of illegally landing a seaman and for omitting to deposit his register at the U.S. Commercial Agency at the port of Aux Cayes in Haiti. Since he...

GLC00068.05

Pardon of Samuel Prince, convicted of over-boarding his ship "George Turner."

Convicted of over-boarding his ship "George Turner"; sentenced to pay a $50 fine for each of the 24 passengers who were in excess of amount allowed [$1200 total] and court costs. Pardon is a remission of forfeiture while still upholding the above...

GLC00068.07

[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of David McKittrich, master of the British Barque Envoy].

GLC00076.03

[Presidential authority to the Secretary of State to affix the seal to the pardon of Eben Gupdill].

GLC00076.07

[Portion of ship passport printed in both English and Dutch]

Also signed by Robert Smith as Secretary of State. Used to certify that a vessel was owned solely by citizens of the United States. Blanks not filled. Date inferred from Smith tenure in office.

GLC00092.02

[Thomas Jefferson's defense of the Embargo Act of 1807]

Sent to Elijah Brown, Jr. Esq. Circular sent in response to criticisms of the Embargo Act of 1807 by people in the town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Explains and defends the Embargo Act as a recourse for securing the United States' rights to...

GLC00115.01

to Dudley Porter, Jr. & Co.

The letter gives advice to a ship owner whose vessel was seized near Dominica. He informs them that they must apply to the British government for relief. Written as secretary of state. Address leaf has been separated.

GLC00116

to James T. Austin

Comments on the loss of a ship, the Chesapeake. Also notes the slow progress of the Ways and Means Committee, the resignation of General Henry Dearborn for health reasons, and the recovery of President James Madison from an illness. Discusses...

GLC00137

to Col. Alexander McDougall

Washington writes that he is told that a vessel has just arrived with gun powder, which he asks McDougall to obtain. (Name is McDougall, per Fitzpatrick.)

GLC00154.03

to L. F. Allen

Millard Fillmore mentions trying to obtain a report from the Topographical Bureau on the estimates for the repairs of the Black Rock harbor and includes the costs. Discusses a bill concerning this harbor. Advises that he has declined to be a...

GLC00162.02

[Presidential authority to the Secretaty of State to affix the seal to the pardon of David Babe, alias William Brown].

Babe had been convicted of murder on the high seas in December 1843.

GLC00173.02

Pardon of the Steamboat "Terror" for violations of steamboat inspection laws [fraud].

Convicted of being in violation of steamboat inspection laws [fraud]. Pardoned because the crime was unintentional. The steamboat had been rented only as accommodation to a charitable, religious society for a trip down the Penobscot River at no cost...

GLC00173.06

Pardon commuting death sentence of Charles Purdue, convicted of arson while at sea.

Convicted of arson on the high seas; sentenced to death by hanging. Pardoned by recommendation of the convicting jury and since it was the first such conviction to fall under the statute of 1790, imposing the death penalty for the said offense, and...

GLC00173.08

Report of the Committee to whom was referred so much of the President's Message as relates to the introduction of slaves from Amelia Island.

The report reflects the early distaste for the slave trade in the U.S. House Document 46, 15th Congress, 1st session. Accompanied with a bill supplementary to the act, to prohibit the importation of enslaved people into any port or place within the...

GLC00267.031

Message from the President of the United States, to both houses of Congress, at the Commencement of the Second Session of the Eighteenth Congress.

Describes the joint efforts of the U.S. and Britain to suppress the slave trade, which the Monroe administration proposed to define as piracy. Also discusses the rights of U.S. vessels during recent wars. Document no. 2. Printed by Gales & Seaton....

GLC00267.033

Slave Trade. Message from the President of the United States, communicating correspondence with Great Britain in relation to the Convention for suppressing the slave trade.

Relating to the convention for the suppression of the slave trade. House Executive Document 16, 19th Congress, 1st session, Document no. 16. Secretary of State Clay advises the British that the Senate will not agree to British right of search along...

GLC00267.034

Message of the President of the United States, communicating in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, papers in regard to the seizure of the American barque Panchita on the coast of Africa.

35th Congress, 1st session, Senate Executive Document 61. The Panchita was an American slave ship seized by British vessels off the coast of Africa. Although the British admitted seizure violated U.S.-British accords, they argued it was in good...

GLC00267.040

Message of the President of the United States, communicating, in answer to a resolution of the Senate, information concerning the recent search or seizure of American vessels by foreign armed cruisers in the Gulf of Mexico.

35th Congress, 1st session, Senate Executive Document 59. Describes ships stopped in the Gulf of Mexico by British vessels searching for boats engaged in the slave trade. Includes narratives and American reactions, including a response of Secretary...

GLC00267.041

Letter of the Secretary of the Interior, in answer to a resolution of the Senate of 27th day of March, 1862, in relation to the slave vessel the "Bark Augusta."

37th Congress, 2d session, Senate Executive Document 40. Tells the story of the "Augusta," ostensibly a whaler but suspected of being a slaver. It was confiscated by the New York federal courts. The U.S. Marshall charged that federal officials had...

GLC00267.042

Free colored seamen - Majority and minority reports.

27th Congress, 3d session, House of Representatives document no. 80. Concerns South Carolina law jailing all free blacks in Charleston. Winthrop as senator from Massachusetts, protests on behalf of the citizens of Boston, against the jailing of free...

GLC00267.062

Proceedings of the United States Senate on the Fugitive Slave Bill,- the abolition of the slavetrade in the District of Columbia, - and the imprisonment of free colored seamen in the Southern ports ...

Includes speeches of Senators John Davis, Grenville Winthrop, and others. Printed by T. R. Marvin.

GLC00267.066