Four Language Passport for the Whaling Ship Caledonia, Signed by Andrew Jackson as President and Martin Van Buren as Secretary of State A scarce Whaling passport signed by both men

07/07/1831. Andrew Jackson|Martin Van Buren The whaling ship Caledonia operated out of New London, Connecticut. Parker H. Smith belonged to a successful family of whaling captains, and also became involved in the investing and outfitting of whaling vessels. In 1831 he was master of the Caledonia for a voyage into the Pacific Ocean’s whaling grounds.Document signed, as President, Washington, July 7, 1831, being a passport providing that “Leave and permission are hereby given to Parker H. Smith, master or commander of the Ship called Caledonia of the burthen of 445 tons, lying at present in the port of New London bound for the Pacific Ocean and laden with Stores & apparatus for a whaling voyage, to depart and proceed…on his said voyage…” The document is countersigned by Martin Van Buren as Secretary of State, and also signing is Ingoldsby W. Crawford, Collector of the Port of New London. The passport is in four languages (English, Spanish, French, and Dutch), as befits a ship’s traveling in international waters.Documents signed by both President Jackson and future President Van Buren are uncommon. Those related to Whaling are even more rare. (Inventory #: 16461)