Beautiful And Uncommon Ship’s Passport Signed by John Adams Permitting Trade with St. Thomas, in the Virgin Islands, Not Yet in US Possession
The noted captain, Isaiah Pratt, had a ship under his command taken by the French during the Quasi-War that continued from 1798-1800
The port, known for its trade in rum and slaves, was at that time owned by Denmark
St. Thomas’s fine natural harbor first became known as “Taphus” (“Tap Hus” translates as “rum shop” or “tap house”, referring to the drinking establishments nearby. In 1691, the primary settlement there was renamed Charlotte Amalie...
The port, known for its trade in rum and slaves, was at that time owned by Denmark
St. Thomas’s fine natural harbor first became known as “Taphus” (“Tap Hus” translates as “rum shop” or “tap house”, referring to the drinking establishments nearby. In 1691, the primary settlement there was renamed Charlotte Amalie in honor of the wife of Denmark’s King Christian V. It was later declared a free port by Frederick V. In December 1732, the first two of many Moravian Brethren missionaries came from Herrnhut Saxony in present-day Germany to minister to them. The island would not join the United States until the 20th century.
Any ship carrying goods for trade between the US and foreign ports required a passport, which at the time had to be signed by the President and Secretary of State.
Document signed, Washington, November 24, 1798, a ship’s pass for the Brig Thomas of Saybrook, under Captain Isaiah Pratt, laden with “provisions, lumber and live stock.” The document is countersigned by Timothy Pickering as Secretary of State and Elisah Whittelsey as Port Collector. Framed.
Pratt, from a prominent family in Eastern Connecticut, was sailing at a dangerous time. Another ship under his command, the Schooner Vulpus, is listed as one of the ships taken by the French during the Quasi-War that continued from 1798-1800.
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