The Marblehead Museum is privileged to have eighteen early rare Ship’s Passes. Vessels engaged in foreign trade were required to obtain a certificate of registration. They were registered through their District Customs Collector. As a result of registration the vessel received a Ships Pass signed by the President and the Secretary of State.
Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson signed the displayed Passes. In addition Secretaries of State Robert Smith, Henry Clay, and John Forsyth signed below their President. The name of the master of the vessel was recorded on the Pass. If the master changed, an endorsement was added to the back of the pass. In cases where this occurred the second page is displayed. A colonial era Ships Pass from Great Britain is also displayed. It is signed by Charles Townshend and the 2nd Viscount Palmerston.
For more information about Marblehead’s shipping fleet and ship passes, see this presentation by Standley Goodwin.