Sold – Very Scarce Diplomatic Passport Signed by John Quincy Adams as Secretary of State

John Quincy Adams was Secretary of State to James Monroe. Back then, it was the responsibility of the Secretary of State to sign passports, which were large, impressive documents containing much information. So Americans heading overseas would receive these signed passports.

Document Signed, Washington, November 21, 1821, being a large, 10.25 x 16.25 inch passport (with number 171) with an engraving of an eagle, addressed to all who might come in contact with the recipient during his travels, made out for Moses Kempton. It states: "I hereby request all whom it may concern to permit safely and freely to pass Moses Kempton, a Citizen of the United States and in case of need to give him lawful aid and protection." It is signed by Adams and also contains the seal of the Secretary of State. The passport identifies Kempton as being 35 years of age, having a height of 5 feet 8 inches, eyes blue, nose small, mouth common, chin and face oval, hair dark and complexion light. The recipient was apparently Moses Kempton, Jr. whose father was Collector for the District of Burlington, under an appointment from George Washington.

Public records indicate that only four passports signed by Adams as Secretary of State have come up in the past 40 years, this being the first we have had.