Presented is a beautiful display featuring an 1801 ship's passport signed by Thomas Jefferson, as President. Jefferson, in his support of freedom of religion, thought, and speech, was one of the primary advocates for American independence from England. He was the chief author of the Committee of Five charged with formulating the American Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was the nation's first Secretary of State, under George Washington, and later Jefferson was the second Vice President of the United States, serving under John Adams' Presidency. Jefferson is also credited with helping to secure the purchase of Louisiana from France. The ship's passport is parchment, and the passage of time has affected some of its original measurements, but it now measures approx. 17.5x19,5", with the height measurement being to the highest point on top. The display includes a 3x5.5" plaque, which reads, "A Ship's Passport for the Ship Henry of Salem, John Barton master or commander, signed ("Th. Jefferson) as President, countersigned by Levi Lincoln as Acting Secretary of State and executed in Salem and Beverly, Massachusetts by Joseph Hiller, a Collector. Washington, July 17, 1801 1 page, Folio, 466x300 mm (18x11&3/4") on Parchment." The display also contains a 5.4x6.25" image of Jefferson. All of the foregoing is matted and framed at 27.25x28.38" The beginning of the passport reads, "By the President of the United States of America/Suffer the Ship Henry of Salem, John Barton master or commander of the burden of one hundred and ninety tons or thereabouts, mounted with four guns, navigated with fourteen men TO PASS with her company." The Presidential Seal is affixed, and the seal's color has faded over the more than two centuries since the document was executed. Some crinkling and shrinkage has occurred in the bottom left corner of the passport, near the seal. There are fold lines from when the document was at one time folded into six parts. The document is dated July 7, 1801. Jefferson's gorgeous signature, in ink, rates an 8/10. Overall, especially in view of the age of the passport, the document is in very good condition, and it makes an attractive, appealing remembrance of Jefferson, one of America's Founding Fathers. Comes with PSA LOA.