Register of Seamen's Protection Certificates from the Pro...
Rhode Island Historical Society / Taylor, Maureen
In 1796 Congress passed an Act for the Relief and Protection of American Seamen, requiring customs collectors to maintain a record of all United States citizens serving on United States vessels. Each registered seaman was given a Seaman's Protection Certificate. These certificates vouched for the citizenship of the individual and included identifying information such as height, complexion, place of birth, and in some cases, eye and hair color....