War of 1812 Privateer’s Commission Issued for One of the First Privateers to Patrol Under the New War, the Ship John of Salem, Owned by the Prominent Crowninshield Family, Signed by President James Madison and Secretary of State James Monroe

It specifically mentions future Navy Secretary Benjamin Crowninshield as recipient, and authorizes him to “detain, seize and take all vessels and effects.”

 

This comes with a Crowninshield’s own separate copy, prepared and signed by him; likely he took one of the commissions on his privateer cruises and kept one for his records, safe at home.

 

We have never before seen a privateers commission made out to a prominent public servant, no less a cabinet member

During the Napoleonic Wars, the British practices of impressment (boarding American vessels, taking American sailors and forcing them into the Royal Navy), restrictions on American trade, and British support for Native Americans, were major grievances for the U.S. On June 1, 1812, President James Madison sent a message to Congress outlining these grievances and asking for a declaration of war. The House of Representatives voted 79-49 in favor of the declaration, and the Senate voted 19-13. Thus, unlike in World War II where there was unity in Congress, the vote showed divisions in the nation. Still, on June 18, 1812, Madison signed the Declaration of War, marking the beginning of the War of 1812.

During the War of 1812, American privateers played a significant role in disrupting British maritime commerce and bolstering the American economy. Privateers often used fast-sailing schooners and sloops, well-suited for raiding and capturing merchant vessels. They captured a substantial number of British merchant vessels, far exceeding the U.S. Navy’s captures, and brought home valuable prizes. Privateers were privately owned and operated, commissioned by the U.S. government to attack enemy ships during wartime.

The Crowninshield family was historically prominent in shipbuilding and merchant shipping, political and military leadership, and the literary world. The family is one of those known as Boston Brahmins, a reference to old wealthy New England families that became influential in the development of American institutions and culture. George Crowninshield was a captain and merchant, and he had sons Benjamin, who was Secretary of the Navy between 1815 and 1818, during the administrations of Presidents James Madison and James Monroe; George Jr., who owned the first yacht to cross the Atlantic; and Jacob, who became a Congressman.

During the war, the Crowninshields were prominent figures in privateering. Benjamin and his brother George offered three vessels to the U.S. government for service as privateers. These were the ship John, the sloop Jefferson, and the ship America.

Document signed by Madison as President and Monroe as Secretary of State, Washington, July 25, 1812, being the privateers commission for the Crowninshields’ Ship John, specifically mentioning the ship and three of the Crowninshields by name. In the document, Benjamin Crowninshield, soon to be Secretary of the Navy, “is further authorized to detain, seize and take all vessels and effects.”

“That in pursuance of an Act of Congress, passed on the 26th day of June, one thousand eight hundred and twelve, I have commissioned, and by these presents do commission, the private armed Ship called the John of Salem, of the burthen of three hundred and eight tons or thereabouts, owned by George Crowninshield, Benjamin W. Crowninshield, & George Crowninshield, Junr., all of Salem in the state of Massachusetts, mounting sixteen carriage guns, and navigated by one hundred eight men, hereby authorizing Benjamin Crowninshield, Captain, and James M. Fairfield, Lieutenant of the said Ship, and the other officers and crew thereof to subdue, seize and take any armed or unarmed British vessel, public or private, which shall be found within the jurisdictional limits of the United States or elsewhere on the high seas, or within the waters of the British dominions, and such captured vessel, with her apparel, guns and appurtenances, and the goods or effects which shall be found on board the same, together with all the British persons and others who shall be found acting on board, to bring within some port of the United States; and also to retake any vessels, goods and effects of the people of the United States, which may have been captured by any British armed vessel, in order that proceedings may be had concerning such capture or recapture in due form of law, and as to right and justice shall appertain. The said Benj. Crowninshield is further authorized to detain, seize and take all vessels and effects, to whomsoever belonging, which shall be liable thereto according to the Law of Nations and the rights of the United States as a power at war, and to bring the same within some port of the United States in order that due proceedings may be had thereon. This commission to continue in force during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being.” This is noted as being commission number 243.

While the privateer “America”, under the command of Benjamin Crowninshield, was very successful and captured 26 British vessels valued at over a million dollars, the “John” ended up being taken over by her British prisoners when she was under the command of James M. Fairfield, who is mentioned above and had taken over captaincy at the Crowninshields’ request.

Privateer commissions from the War of 1812 are uncommon, and we have never before seen one made out to a prominent public servant, no less a cabinet member.

This comes with a “true copy of my commission”, prepared and signed by Benjamin Crowninshield. So in the set of two documents, one is signed by Madison and Monroe, and the other by Crowninshield. Likely he took one on his privateer cruises and kept one for his records, safe at home.