Greene Rufus, Signed (1 results)

An attractive broadside form, accomplished in manuscript, outlining the articles of agreement between Captain Rufus Greene and his small crew (a mate, three sailors, and a cabin boy), for a poorly timed trading voyage to Cap Français. Below the text of the agreement, a large space is provided within a decorative border for the names of the captain and crew, their time of entry, pay advanced, and monthly wages. Greene's pay was nine pounds per month, the mate twelve dollars, the sailors six to eight, and the boy four dollars. Each was advanced one month's pay. Unfortunately for Greene and his crew, the Schooner Hardie was among those American ships swept up in the turmoil of the Haitian Revolution in 1791. Still, they were not detained for terribly long: Hardie returned to Philadelphia in October (after a March departure), bringing home early news of the revolution rather than a hefty cargo. Rufus Greene, Jr., (1747-1831) was a close cousin and business associate of Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene. Sailing in the latter's employ in the years prior to the war, Rufus was notably a leading suspect in the burning of the customs ship H.M.S. Gaspee in Rhode Island (which had recently seized Greene's cargo of rum). Happily for the Greene family and business, Rufus not only got away scot-free with his probable involvement in the Gaspee affair, but also won his lawsuit for wrongful seizure of cargo. An attractive 18th-century mariners' agreement, signed by a significant figure in the road to revolution. Old center fold, light foxing and soiling. Very good.