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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 169

(x) A collection of materials relating to the Royal Navy’s practice of Impressment, including an Impressment Exemption Certificate and an Impressment Warrant

Impressment Exemption Certificate for Robert Everson stating “we have received testimony that the Bearer Robert Everson was bound himself Apprentice to Edw. Cockfield of So. Shields Mariner to serve at sea, bound by indenture dated the 22nd day of December 1803….and he being therefore entitled to a Protection in pursuance of the said Act of Parliament, to free and exempt him from being impressed for the space of Three Years from the aforementioned date of his indenture…”, featuring signatures from Lords of the Admiralty Sir Thomas Troubridge, James Adamns, John Lemon, and Secretary to the Admiralty Ben Tucker, dated 25 February 1804, with Admiralty Seal, additional pen notes to left margin detail Everson’s age, height and appearance, left side glued to card back, delicate condition with some rubbing and ageing, but text is legible throughout

Impressment Warrant addressed to Lieutenant Charles Irvine of H.M. Gun Brug Tickler, commanding him “to impress so many Seamen, Seafaring Men, and Persons whose Occupations and Callings are to work in Vessels and Boats upon Rivers, as you shall be able, in order to serve on Board His Majesty’s Ships…”, featuring signatures of Admiralty Commissioners Sir John Colpys, William Dickinson and Philip Patton, dated 26 December 1804, with Admiralty Seal, tape repair to reverse, minor edge tears, folded corners, age stains, though text remains clear and legible

Together with two pamphlets, ‘All Impressments Unlawful and Inadmissable’, printed in Boston, circa 1804; and ‘The Right and Practice of Impressment, as concerning Great Britain and America, Considered.’, printed in London, 1819, the first with significant edge wear and tear, though text throughout is clear and legible (4)

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£60 to £80

Starting price
£50