Folded letter by US Navy Surgeon David Shelton Edwards

David Shelton Edwards, American, died 1874 · July 2, c. 1847

The letter was carried privately to New Orleans, Louisiana, from Surgeon Edwards in Veracruz, Mexico, where it entered the US mail system on 22 July. It was sent unpaid to Sing Sing, New York. The New Orleans postmaster marked the letter for 10-cents postage due, the correct rate for a letter up to 1/2 ounce in weight going a distance greater than 300 miles. On 3 August at Sing Sing the letter was forwarded to Charlestown, Massachusetts. The Sing Sing postmaster crossed through the blue "10" marked at New Orleans and wrote "10" over "5" and the total "15" in blue ink, indicating that 10-cents postage from New Orleans plus 5-cents postage from Sing Sing to Charlestown was due, or 15 cents. The 5 cents added was for sending the letter to a new destination less than 300 miles away. At Charlestown the letter was marked in black ink "Forwd" and "15" below to show the total postage due of 15 cents.