Washington, George, as first President

On paper (15 5/8 x 13 in.; 396 x 331 mm) watermarked Delaware | Federal eagle, accomplished in a clerical hand, [Philadelphia], before 10 December 1796, being a three-language ship's paper for the ship Governor Bowdoin, commanded by Daniel Oliver and bound for Batavia, Java, carrying "Ballast & Stores," countersigned by the Secretary of State ("Timothy Pickering") and the Deputy Collector of Customs at Boston ("Benjn Weld"), embossed paper seal of the United States, notarizing signature and seal of Notary Public Samuel Barrett; lightly browned, some fold separations and tiny losses at intersecting fold.

On paper (15 5/8 x 13 in.; 396 x 331 mm) watermarked Delaware | Federal eagle, accomplished in a clerical hand, [Philadelphia], before 10 December 1796, being a three-language ship's paper for the ship Governor Bowdoin, commanded by Daniel Oliver and bound for Batavia carrying "Ballast & Stores," countersigned by the Secretary of State ("Timothy Pickering") and the Deputy Collector of Customs at Boston ("Benjn Weld"), embossed paper seal of the United States, notarizing signature and seal of Notary Public Samuel Barrett; lightly browned, some fold separations and tiny losses at intersecting fold.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

While ship's papers are usually considered routine documents, the present example led to the loss of the ship Governor Bowdoin and all of its cargo because the weight of the ship was erroneously recorded. In the foment of the Quasi-War with France, French privateers seized the Governor Bowdoin off the coast of Java in July 1797. When the case came up before the French Admiralty court, it was found that Captain Oliver's vessel weighed 248 tons although the ship's papers signed by Washington declared it to weigh just 142 tons. The Admiralty ruled, therefore, that it could not verify that the ship Oliver was commanding was the one for which the papers had been issued, and the prize and all its contents was awarded to the privateers.