(Missouri) "Jackson, April 25", manuscript postmark with matching "25" rating on 1817 folded letter to Brattleboro, Vt., datelined "Jackson, County of Cape Girardeau (Missouri) April 23d, 1817"; some soiling, Fine. Estimate  $400 - 600. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED JACKSON POSTMARK. This letter is from an attorney who practices law across the Mississippi River in Illinois Territory. He reports to a friend in Brattleboro that the local judge has abandoned his office and returned home to Maryland. He suggests that the friend apply for the position. He reports on his first, wildly successful case in the territory: "I was very successful in some important causes when I first arrived in the Territory. One, on which a whole estate depended, I argued on the several points made, three days, and succeeded. A rich man had endeavored to take a large estate from the heir, who was poor, by fraudulent will. He had engaged, at a high price, all the bar. Popular indignation was realized against him to the highest pitch. I arrived just in time to take the poor man's part, and to advocate the cause of him and the people. I had no other business, and had time thoroughly to investigate the case. The court house as crowded with people from every part of the county, ready even to fight on my side of the question. I had been for four days searching and digesting all the law which could have any bearing on the subject. I could not refrain from being eloquent, and I reasoned better than I ever did before in my life. I drove them from their imaginary strong holds, till one of their most able counsel exclaimed, "this yankey is like a cat, if we toss him ever so high, he will be sure to come down upon his feet!" After the trial was over, the people presented me with a handsome sum, which they made up by subscription.". $0 (Image)