2-949-869 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Manumission certificate for William Steward, mariner granted citizenship. Ship and dock scene, 1820-05-29. '...I, R. Milford Blatchford, a Public Notary...do hereby certify, that it hath been proved to my satisfaction, that William Steward a coloured man, Mariner, who now personally appears before me, and is aged about twenty three years five feet 3 and a half inches high - having a scar on his left knee - dark complexion & woolly hair is a Freeman and Citizen of the [USA], born in the State of New York. And I do further certify that the act of Congress..."For the relief and protection of American Seamen", having omitted to make provision for persons of Colour to obtain Certificates of Citizenship...this is granted to show that the said William Steward is...entitled to be respected accordingly, in person and property at all times by sea and land in the due prosecution of his lawful concerns...'. Signed with an X by Steward ('his mark').