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Adams, John (1735-1826) Passport for "Eagle" of John Sanders re: cessation of war, proclamation of peace

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06398 Author/Creator: Adams, John (1735-1826) Place Written: Paris [Passy?] Type: Document signed Date: 1783/02/06 Pagination: 1 p. 34.6 x 22.9 cm Order a Copy

Printed document cosigned by American peace commissioners Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, mentioning the cessation of hostilities between Great Britain and the U.S., and asking for passage for the ship "Eagle" now at London and bound for Jamaica. Appears to have been printed at Franklin's press at Passy.

WE, JOHN ADAMS, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND JOHN JAY, three of the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, for making Peace with Great Britain, TO ALL Captains or Commanders of ships of War privateers or armed Vessels belonging to the said States of to either of them, or to any the Citizens of the same AND TO ALL others whom these Presents may concern, SEND GREETING.
WHEREAS Peace and Amity is agreed upon between the said United States and his Britannic Majesty, and a suspension of Hostilities to take Place at different Periods in different Places hath also been agreed upon by their respective Plenipotentiaries. AND WHEREAS it hath been further agreed by the said Plenipotentiaries, to exchange Passports for merchant Vessels, to the end that such as shall be provided with them, shall be exempted from Capture altho' found in Latitudes at a time prior to the taking Place of the said suspension of Hostilities therein. NOW THEREFORE KNOW YE that free Passport, Licence and Permission is hereby given to the Eagle, Burthen 230 Tons, John Sanders commander now lying at the Port of Jackson and bound from thence to Jamaica
AND WE do earnestly enjoin upon and recommend to you to let and suffer the said Vessel to pass unmolested to her destined Port, and if need be, to afford her all such succour and Aid as Circumstances and Humanity may require.
GIVEN under our Hands and Seals at Paris on the Sixth Day of February in the year of Our Lord 1783.

John Adams
B Franklin
John Jay

Adams, John, 1735-1826
Jay, John, 1745-1829
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

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