American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Boston, MA. 2 pages, 7 1/4 x 11 1/4 in., reinforced at margin from being in a ledger, one line on each side repaired with written repair. 

In full: 

"To the Commanders of his Majesty's Ships of War, or private armed Ships belonging to the subjects of his Majesty.

Whereas from the consideration of the great importance of continuing a regular supply of Flour and other dried Provisions, to the Allied Armies in Spain and Portugal, it has been deemed expedient by His Majesty's Government, that notwithstanding the hostilities now existing between Great Britain and the United States, every degree of encouragement and protection should be given to American Vessels laden with Flour and other dry Provisions, and bona fide bound to Spain or Portugal, and whereas in furtherance of the views of His Majesty's Government, Herbert Sawyer Esqr., Vice Admiral and commander in Chief on the Halifax Station has addressed to me a letter under the date of the 5th of August 1812 (a copy whereof is hereunto annexed), wherein I am instructed to furnish a copy of his letter certified under my Consular Seal, to every American Vessel laden and bound, destined to serve as a perfect safeguard and protection of such Vessel in the prosecution of her Voyage. 

Now therefore in obedience to these instructions, I have granted to the American Brig Julia, Tristam Luce, Master, of 159 Tons burthen, now lying in the Harbour of Boston, and bound to Baltimore for the purpose of taking in a cargo of Flour and Corn, and proceeding thence to a Port in Spain or Portugal not under French domination, the annexed document, requesting all Officers commanding His Majesty's Ships of War or private armed Ships belonging to the subjects of His Majesty, to give to the said vessel all due assistance and protection in the prosecution of her Voyage to Spain or Portugal, and on her return thence to her Port of original departure, laden with salt or with specie to the net amount of her outward cargo or in Ballast only...

I, Andrew Allen Junr., His Britannick Majesty's Consul, for the State of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut, hereby certify that the annexed paper is a true copy of a letter addressed to me, by Herbert Sawyer Esqr., Vice Admiral and Commander on the Halifax Station."