1857 (Sep. 3) Paris, France to Oajaca, Mexico, folded letter with Paris (9.3) cds with manuscript "12" decimes prepaid rating on reverse, red "Br Service" h.s., carried by Cunard Line Persia departing Liverpool Sep. 5 to New York arriving Sep. 15, red "New York 'Paid' Sep 15" exchange cds and magenta "22" rating, Veracruz (10.5) arrival oval, Very Fine. Estimate  $200 - 300. The U.S.-French Treaty had provisions for sending fully paid letters from France through the United States to countries beyond, such as Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South America, etc. The fully prepaid rate to Mexico via the U.S. the 12 decimes or 22¢. This paid the letter as far as the U.S. mails could take it, in this case, the port of Vera Cruz. $0 (Image)