(Marietta Ohio, Northwest Territory, to Providence R.I. via Boston, Oct. 21, 1792) "BOSTON". Bold straightline handstamp with matching "21/OC" Franklin mark, "8" cents postage due for distance of 30-60 miles on lengthy folded letter written in diminutive script, datelined Sep. 26, 1792 from Marietta Ohio in the Northwest Territory, addressed to Providence and entered the mails in Boston, minor edgewear and soiling, still Very Fine and scarce early letter from the Northwest Territory, this was datelined at Marietta prior to the establishment of a post office there or a postal route to the East, the letter notes the defeat of the Army under General Arthur St. Clair at the Battle of the Wabash, St. Clair's forces suffered the heaviest defeat of an American army by Native Americans in U.S. history at that battle, with more than 600 American soldiers killed, illustrated and discussed in Chronicle No. 264 (p. 319)

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(Boston to Philadelphia, Dec. 16, 1793) "BOSTON". Clear strike of straightline handstamp with matching "16/DE" Franklin mark and "Free" straightline handstamp on folded letter to U.S. Senate President pro tempore John Langdon in Philadelphia, some minor internal splits, still fresh and Extremely Fine, this was sent free of postage under the Act of Congress of February 20, 1792 and the "Free" straightline is the earliest known use of this style at Boston, John Langdon was a prominent Founding Father from New Hampshire and served in many offices, including the Second Continental Congress, Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention, four separate stints as Governor of New Hampshire, United States Senator and the first President pro tempore of the Senate, he was nominated to run as vice president on the ticket with James Madison in 1812 but declined and retired, ex Dr. Robertson, illustrated in Chronicle No. 264 (p. 318)

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(Martinique to Norwich Conn. via Boston, Mar. 2, 1794) "BOSTON". Straightline handstamp on Mar. 2, 1794 datelined folded letter from Martinique to Norwich Conn., manuscript "14" rate, fascinating contents related to surrender of St. Pierre to the British and the loss of vessel and cargo seized by the British, slight ink smudging and soiling, otherwise Very Fine

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(St. Ubes, Portugal, to Portsmouth N.H. via Boston, Nov. 26, 1798, Quasi-War with France) "BOSTON". Small straightline handstamp, matching "26/NO" Franklin mark and "Paid" straightline on folded cover which originated in St. Ubes, Portugal (letter enclosure no longer accompanies), addressed to Portsmouth N.H., ship directive at bottom for the Ariadna (Daniel Prior, Master), manuscript rate of "14" cents for distance from 30-60 miles including 4c ship fee, back with manuscript "Broke open by the officers of the Frigates La Volunteer and La Invincible, Daniel Prior", indicating that the Ariadna was stopped by French privateers, boarded, cargo taken and letters opened, tear at top, appears Fine, an unusual incoming prepaid ship letter with a fascinating story during the Quasi-War with France, illustrated in Chronicle No. 264 (pp. 320-321)

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(Cape of Good Hope to Philadelphia via Boston, Jan. 15, 1801). Folded letter datelined in the Cape of Good Hope on Jan. 15, 1801 and addressed to Philadelphia, carried by private ships and entered U.S. mails with "Boston Ms. May 18" circular datestamp with "5c Paid" written inside, "SHIP" handstamp and magenta manuscript "22" cents rate for letter sent between 150-400 miles, including 2c ship fee, minor soiling, still Very Fine and early use from the Cape of Good Hope

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(Boston to Hartford Conn., Jan. 19, 1801) "BOSTON". Straightline handstamp with "19/IA" (Jan. 19) Franklin mark on Jan. 17, 1801 datelined folded letter to Hartford Conn., manuscript "12-1/2" rate for distance of 90-150 miles, overall wear and light soiling, still Fine, the latest recorded Boston straightline postmark, illustrated in Chronicle No. 264 (p. 322)

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Boston Ms. Jan. 18 (1801). Clear strike of circular datestamp with small "Paid" straightline, manuscript "post paid" and magenta pen "10 paid" on Jan. 17, 1801 datelined folded letter to Newburyport Mass., Very Fine, this is the earliest recorded use of a Boston circular datestamp, illustrated in Chronicle No. 264 (p. 322)

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(St. Johns, Newfoundland, to Boston, Sep. 21, 1801) "SHIP". Clear strike of straightline handstamp on Sep. 21, 1801 datelined folded letter from St. Johns, Newfoundland, addressed to Boston so no other postal markings, though 6c was due for a letter delivered at the port of entry, some internal splits with small pieces of scotch tape not affecting the address panel, couple small edge nicks, Fine, this is reported to be the earliest recorded "Ship" letter addressed "to the port" at Boston

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(St. Petersburg, Russia, to Providence R.I. via Boston, Sep. 17, 1801). Folded cover docketed St. Petersburg, Russia, Jul. 17, 1801, carried privately from Russia and entered U.S. mails with "Boston Ms. Sep. 17" circular datestamp, "SHIP" straightline and manuscript "22" rate for a double letter sent between 40-90 miles including 2c ship fee, addressed to Providence R.I., file fold, Very Fine early cover from Russia

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(Montevideo, Uruguay, to New York via Boston, Aug. 2, 1807). Folded letter datelined "Monte Video 27th April, 1807" and addressed to New York, ship directive "P Superb via Boston" (Lombard, Master), entered mails with Boston circular datestamp of Aug. 2 and "SHIP" straightline handstamp, manuscript "53" cents for triple ship letter sent between 150-300 miles, including 2c ship fee, small erosion hole in Boston datestamp, otherwise Very Fine, reported to be the earliest known letter from Uruguay to the U.S., illustrated in Chronicle No. 264 (p. 325)

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(Bergen, Norway, to Providence R.I. via Boston, Feb. 19, 1810). Folded cover docketed as written on Sep. 30, 1809 and received Feb. 20, 1810, marked "Duplicate" and addressed to Providence R.I., sailed on the Antelope from Gothenburg, arriving Boston on Feb. 19 after a 62-day journey, entered U.S. mails with red "Boston Ms. Feb. 19" circular datestamp with seven "*" at bottom, matching "SHIP" handstamp and manuscript "22" cents for double rate plus 2c ship fee, slightly heavy file fold, still Very Fine and very rare early use from Norway, reportedly the second earliest recorded to the United States, illustrated in Chronicle No. 264 (p. 325)

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