Via Nicaragua Line in Advance of the Mail, black oval handstamp on blue folded letter datelined "New York December 19th 1853" from Davis Brooks & Co. addressed to Captain Thomas B. Cropper, the Master of the Cortes and shareholder in Davis Brooks & Co., endorsed "Via Nicaragua", letter carried by Vanderbilt Line Northern Light leaving New York Dec. 27th and arriving at San Juan del Nord about Jan. 6th; small slit at bottom, Very Fine and scarce. Estimate  $1,000 - 1,500. AN INTERESTING HISTORICAL LETTER DIRECTLY RELATING TO THE VIA NICARAGUA MAILS. The "Cortes" with Cropper as Master left San Francisco on Dec. 16th and arrived at Jaun del Sud about Jan. 3rd. The letter informs Cropper that a final settlement was expected with the PMSSC, which would release funds enabling debenture holders to be paid out, including Cropper. When Cornelius Vanderbilt commenced his New York to San Francisco via Nicaragua route in July 1851, he had three steamships in the Pacific. This fleet was gradually expanded and in May 1853 he purchased the "Cortes" of 1,800 tons from the Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company. The "Cortes" was owned by Davis Brooks & Co. but they entered into a settlement with the PMSSC that resulted in the sale of both the "Cortes" and the "Winfield Scott" to PMSSC. The "Cortes" was immediately sold to Vanderbilt. $0 (Image)