Transatlantic cover to New York

February 23, 1856

This letter originated in Havana, Cuba, on 23 February 1856, and was carried "out of the mails" to New York, probably enclosed in another letter or package, thus avoiding the fee from Havana to New York. The letter was carried to New York by the US Mail Steamship Company steamer "Empire City," departed Havana the same day and arriving at New York on 28 February. The New York forwarding agent, Robert & Williams, posted the letter in New York to go on board the Cunard steamship "Asia," departing on March 5, 1856, for Liverpool as shown by the red circular datestamp partially struck in the upper right corner. The agent paid the 5-cent open mail rate by British packet, which was marked in pencil, upper right corner under the notation "Asia." The letter entered France from London on the train from Calais to Paris. This was shown by the entry marking, ETATS-UNIS.PAQ.BRIT. A.CALAIS G. This marking indicated that the letter was from the US, was carried by British packet to the UK, and entered France on the ambulant (train) from Calais. The train clerk marked the letter for 13 decimes postage due, the correct amount for a letter up to 7.5 grams by this route.