Monroe, James. Printed document signed, being "Instructions For the Private Armed Vessels of the United States"

MONROE, JAMES

PRINTED DOCUMENT SIGNED AS SECRETARY OF STATES ("JAS MONROE"), BEING "INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PRIVATE ARMED VESSELS OF THE UNITED STATES" IN THE WAR OF 1812

2 1/2 printed pages (13 3/8 x 8 1/4 in.; 342 x 210 mm) on a bifolium of laid paper, [Washington, after 26 June 1812], unaccomplished; ink blot to first page, some light marginal browning, short separations at head and foot of central fold. Accompanied by an engraved portrait of Monroe.

A statute of 26 June 1812, passed eight days after the declaration of war, outlines the procedures by which the President may issue letters of marque and reprisal to American privateers, including a provision that the chief executive "establish and order suitable instructions for the better governing and directing the conduct the vessels, ... their officers and crews, copies of which shall be delivered, by the collector of the customs, to the commanders ..." of the privateers.

The present document combines the Presidential instructions to be given each privateer, which are printed on the recto of the second leaf, with the full text of the "Act concerning Letters of Marque, Prizes and Prize Goods," which is printed on the recto and verso of the first leaf and statute signed in letterpress by President James Madison, Speaker of the House Henry Clay, and the President pro-tem of the Senate, William H. Crawford. Blank spaces are left at the head of the leaf signed by Monroe for the names of the captain and his ship. This unaccomplished copy was one of those sent to American collectors of customs during the War of 1812 for issuance, as called for, to privateers.