1839 (Nov. 30) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Washington, D.C., folded letter from William Hunter, U.S. Envoy Extraordinary at Rio de Janeiro to Joseph L. Tillinghast, Member of Congress from Rhode Island, carried by USS "Boxer" from Rio de Janeiro Dec. 12 to New York arriving Feb. 8, red "New-York 'Ship' Feb 8" cds with manuscript "F" free rating, some light stains, Fine. Estimate  $300 - 400. USS "Boxer", a 10-gun schooner, was en route from the Pacific Squadron to New York for overhaul. Letter placed on board and entered U.S. mails at New York as a ship letter. Since Members of Congress in session were entitled to free postage, no fee was charged for postage. Letter writer requested congressman as a friend to frank an enclosed letter to his son, a clear abuse of the franking privilege. $0 (Image)