Printed Naval Order, completed in manuscript, signed by Sandwich, Lisburn and Penton as Lords of the Admiralty, addressed to Jeremiah Steel, Workington, directing him not to impress into His Majesty’s Service nine men [each named on verso with their heights, complexions, etc.] belonging to the ship Favorite of Workington employed in the Coal and Coasting Trade by SANDWICH, John Montagu, 4th Earl, and others

Admiralty, 1 February 1777. 1 page 12 x 7 inches, overleaf manuscript descriptions of each man, integral address leaf, bishopmark 3/FE, impressed Admiralty seal. Light to severe staining but sound and complete. A rare Admiralty broadside, issued during the American War, offering “Protection” (valid for three months) from naval impressment to those in essential trades such as coal shipping. Each man is described: “William Armstrong Mate aged 23 years, with a Scar on his Right Cheak, fair complection, Five Foot Nine Inches height.” Workington is a town at the mouth of the River Derwent on the coast of Cumberland. The document bears a bold signture of John Montagu (1718-92), fourth Earl of Sandwich, first Lord of the Admiralty during the American War of Independence. He assisted Captain Cook in fitting out his fleet in 1778, and the Sandwich Islands [later called Hawaii] were named after him.