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Handwritten Maritime Account Book Brig Betsy/manuscript Ship Log/ledger 1700s For Sale
FANTASTIC, ORIGINAL LATE18TH CENTURY ACCOUNT BOOK OF THE "BRIG BETSY". This terrific early volume was compiled by ship's owner George Makepeace and captain Alexander Atwood, andchronicles the activities and voyages of the brig Betsyduring the year of 1799. Carrying a variety of cargo, the Boston based vessel set sail for a host oftropicalports. Entries include "A Voige to the West Indies and Back", "Disbursements at Turks Islands", "Disbursements in the Havannah" [i.e., Havana, Cuba], "St. Thomas", etc.Also referenced arevarious parties engaged in business with the ship;with several pages bearing Captain Atwood's signature. Notably, vesselhad beencapturedthe previous year by French pirates [i.e., privateers] operating in the Caribbean.During the French and Napoleonic eras, America was engaged in a "quasi" war with France which resulted in sustained maritime depredations on American commerce. Losses suffered by American ships and their owners at the hands of French privateers and other vessels were staggering. According to a report submitted years later (1827) by Secretary of State Henry Clay, some 444 vessels had been seized from 1793-1800 with losses totalling well into the millions. The brig Betsy, owned by George Makepeace and captained by Alexander C. Atwood, was one of the vessels seized by the French during this tumultuous period. The vessel and its cargo were reclaimed soon, after at considerable cost to Makepeace. The lingering andexpensive issue was finally addressed by Congress in 1885 through the French Spoliation Act."Betsy, 140-ton brig, Alexander C. Atwood, master. Built in Massachusetts in 1785. George Makepeace, owner. Departed Boston on May 8, 1798, for St. Bartholomew with whale oil, shoes, lumber, candles, soap, and fish worth $1,907.76 and owned by Makepeace and Aaron Putnam in equal shares. Seized by Captain Jean St. Jacques's French privateer 'Le Neptune' and taken to St. Martin. Vessel and cargo condemned on July 3 at Basse-Terre based on one sailor's testimony that Captain Atwood burned some papers, the role d'equipage was signed by the same person who wrote it, and the bills of lading weren't signed by a 'public officer.' The 'Betsy' was repurchased for the owners for $164.40. Freight $700, cost of insurance $690." [see: Greg H. Williams' "The French Assault on American Shipping, 1793-1813: A History and Comprehensive Record of Merchant Marine Losses", 2009, p.76].Condition: Rare book remains in good condition [see images]. Volume bound in original stiff marbled wraps; cover worn and stained, some toning, scattered minor spotting, staining and foxing, a few dog eared corners, etc. Generally clean internally with ink bold and legible throughout. Volume contains about 57 pages of handwritten entries with a few additional documents laid in; and measures approx 12" tall x 8" wide x .5" thick. Quite a find and a very worthy acquisition indeed.Payment and Shipping: Please see our response and offer with confidence. Never a reserve and very low opening offer as always. For international shipping quote, please contact us. buyers with no established response must contact us before offerding. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax or include dealer tax resale number. Payment must be received within 7 days after close of sale. Thanks for your interest!
On Mar-01-13 at 18:22:56 PST, seller added the following information:
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Handwritten Maritime Account Book Brig Betsy/manuscript Ship Log/ledger 1700s: $770
