(Route 8166) New Orleans & Memphis Packet T.P. Leathers, red oval handstamp on buff envelope from the Carroll Hoy correspondence to New Orleans La., red "New Orleans La. Jan 5" cds and black "Steam 5" rating handstamp; usual filing holes, Very Fine. Milgram No. 1378  Estimate $500 - 750. "T.P. Leathers" of 435 gross tons was built at Memphis in 1852 and registered there February 6th 1852. Owned jointly by her Master Capt. Charles Pierce and James Boro. Burnt at Natchez January 10th 1853, salvaged and re-registered in New Orleans in October 1853. This cover was therefore carried on the last down river voyage prior to the fire.In 1858 Route 8166 was advertised for bids for a three times a week service. The contract was awarded to the Memphis & New Orleans Steam Packet Company at $76,000 per annum. The high value of the contract related to the transfer of the Southern Mails to a route from Washington via Memphis to New Orleans. $0 (Image)