War of 1812 Surcharge Rate, Ship Letter from Amsterdam to Providence via New York. 1815 wrapper landed at New York and rated 78½ cents to collect as a triple sheet: three times 17 cents inland postage (51 cents) plus 50% surcharge (25½ cents) plus ship fee (2 cents), Very Fine. Estimate  $400 - 600. Note that the 2 cent ship fee was not surcharged. However, in the case of ship letters delivered at the port of arrival the entire 6 cent charge was uprated to 9 cents. By law only the postage was to be surcharged, but this was not well understood and exceptions are often seen. $0 (Image)