Washington, George, as First President

Document signed ("Go: Washington"), engraved broadside on vellum (17 1/4 x 11 5/8 in.; 438 x 297 mm), accomplished in a clerical hand, Washington, 21 December 1796, being a ship's passport for the Light Horse out of New York, commanded by John Hass, mounted with no guns and navigated by fourteen men, countersigned by the Secretary of State ("Timothy Pickering"), embossed paper seal, fine marine engraving at head, with scalloped cancellation cut. PROVENANCE: Sotheby's New York, 18 June 2004, lot 446 

A few small holes, some abrasion.