10c Washington on cover

Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson · June 13, 1850

Lt. Clinton W. Lear mailed this cover on June 13, 1850, to his wife in New Orleans. The lieutenant was stationed at Fort Towson, adjacent to the town of Doakesville. The stamp paid a single ten-cent rate for a distance of more than three hundred miles. However, the letter weighed more than half-ounce but less than one ounce and so required an additional fee because of the weight. The postmaster at Doakesville therefore wrote "Due 10" in manuscript, indicating the extra rate was to be collected from the recipient, Lear's wife.