War-dated DS, signed “Jas Monroe,” one page, 7.75 x 8, November 7, 1812. Document headed at the top, “Additional Instruction to the Public and Private Armed Vessels of the United States,” reads, in full: “The public and private armed vessels of the United States are not to interrupt any British unarmed vessels bound to Sable Island, and laden with supplies for the humane establishment at that place. By Command of the President of the United States.” Signed at the conclusion by Monroe as secretary of state. In fine condition, with some light intersecting folds and a couple trivial holes affecting nothing.
Two hundred miles off the coast of Nova Scotia lies Sable Island, surrounded by dangerous, shifting sandbars which have caused hundreds of recorded shipwrecks over the last five centuries and earned it the nickname ‘the graveyard of the Atlantic.’ In 1801, the governor of Nova Scotia established a humanitarian settlement on the island to rescue sailors of any nation who encountered trouble there. Shortly after the US declared war on Britain in 1812, Secretary of State James Monroe issued this notice on behalf of President Madison, announcing that any unarmed British ships bound for “the humane establishment” there were to be uninterrupted. With Novia Scotia serving as one of the largest military bases for the British Royal Navy’s blockade and naval raids on the US, and the extreme importance that maritime domination held in the War of 1812, this is an especially interesting war-dated piece, showing an intelligent and diplomatic decision on the part of Madison and Monroe. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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