sea letter

British  

noun

1. Also called: passport.  a document issued to a merchant vessel, esp in wartime, authorizing it to leave a port or proceed freely

2. (formerly) a document issued to a vessel in port, describing its cargo, crew, etc

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Example Sentences

Gray was also provided with a sea letter signed by George Washington, then President, which ran as follows:

From Project Gutenberg

It further speaks of Gray’s rising reputation, and expresses the belief that a regard for his own honor, and a respect for the sea letter with which the President had honored and indulged 97 him, would cause Gray to doubly exert himself for the success of the voyage.

From Project Gutenberg