SEA LETTER
sea letter.Hist. A manifest issued during a war by authorities of a port where a neutral vessel
is fitted, certifying the vessel’s nationality, specifying the nature of and destination of the vessel’s
cargo, and allowing the vessel to sail under the neutral flag of its owner. • The last sea letter was
issued at the Port of New York in 1806, and the use of sea letters was discontinued by
proclamation of President James Madison. — Also spelled sea-letter. — Also termed sea brief; sea
pass; passport.
“Our laws require masters of vessels, on entering a port for traffic, to lodge with the consul
their registers, sea-letters, and passports ….” Theodore D. Woolsey, Introduction to the Study of
International Law 161–62 (5th ed. 1878). sea lane.Int’l & maritime law. A designated course or regularly used route for ships, esp. in
restricted waters such as harbors and straits. • Although sea lanes have obvious safety advantages,
they were long resisted by sea captains, who saw them as a threat to their freedom to navigate. [Blacks Law 8th]