Feb 27, 2003 - Sale 1961

Sale 1961 - Lot 9

Price Realized: $ 862
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 700 - $ 1,000
PASSPORT FOR A 16 YEAR OLD BLACK SAILOR (SLAVERY and ABOLITION.) Partly Printed Document, accomplished in manuscript, being a passport for Francis Stevenson, a seaman. One page, folio; some browning and partial separation along a fold; with the original affixed seal. New York City, 1801

Additional Details



An unusual document. Stevenson is described in the document as a "mulatto" of 16 years of age. The Master of the ship on which Stevenson was engaged, appeared along with the young man before a Public Notary to obtain this passport or Document of Safe Passage. The necessity of this action is explained in the document, "The law of Congress of the United States for the Relief and Protection of People of Colour (with People of Colour stricken out) . . . American Seamen, having made no provision for People of Colour, this certificate is granted to Show that the said Mulato [sic] man Francis Stevenson is a native citizen of The United States." Document is Signed by the young seaman with an "X".