Mail Between Canada and United States continued...

(New York to Montreal, Jul. 28, 1785). Partly struck New York July 29” straightline datestamp on folded letter to Montreal, rated 2/6” (2dwt, 16 grains) which was crossed out and rated To pay 2N” collect which was the full rate via Quebec, bold strike of Quebec” double-circle with triangle and 19/IA” Bishop mark at center

VERY FINE. AN EARLY CROSS-BORDER POST-REVOLUTIONARY WAR LETTER FROM NEW YORK WITH CONTENTS REGARDING CANADIAN CLAIMS” FROM THE WAR.

The letter states, Congress have at length decided on the mode of adjusting and settling the Canadian claims...” On June 7, 1785, the U.S. Congress created a committee to hear Canadian Patriot claims for compensation for their efforts in the Revolutionary War. As the U.S. was land rich and cash poor, most compensation came in the form of land grants extended to certain individuals.

Ex Steinhart and Sanderson (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States New York to Montreal]

(Saginaw, Michigan Territory, to Montreal via Detroit, Jan. 24, 1792). Folded letter written by Charles D. Le Pallier and datelined Jan. 24, 1792 with the message (translated from French) From the house of Mr. Jonathan Schiffelin at Saginaw where I traveled on my own business”, addressed to his brother-in-law James Morrison in Montreal, he writes by an express that leaves Detroit for Mr. Schiffelin”, with Detroit * Feb :4” straightline datestamp, carried by express, rated 1N8” collect in red for inland Canadian postage at 601-700 miles rate

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY KNOWN PRIVATELY-OWNED EXAMPLE OF THE DETROIT STRAIGHTLINE USED DURING THE BRITISH OCCUPATION. THIS COVER ORIGINATED IN THE U.S. PORTION OF WHAT IS NOW MICHIGAN. ONE OF THE PARAMOUNT ITEMS OF EARLY CROSS-BORDER MAILS.

The sender, Charles Le Pallier, was a resident of Michilimackinac, but sent this from Saginaw. While part of the United States, Michigan did not become a territory until 1805. After the Revolutionary War, Detroit was maintained by the British as part of Canada. It was not until the Jay Treaty--signed on Nov. 19, 1794, and ratified on Feb. 26, 1796--that Detroit, along with other territory, was ceded to the United States, and the official border between the U.S. and Canada was established.

Ex Steinhart (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States Saginaw, Michigan Territo]

(Auburn N.Y. to Kingston, May 1, 1833). Lightly struck red Auburn N.Y. May 1” oval datestamp with matching Free” in scroll on folded cover to the postmaster at Kingston, entered Canadian mails with perfect strikes of olive green Queenston U. Cana, MAY 6” circular datestamp and matching British Postage/FREE” two-line handstamp, Very Fine, fully free-franked cross-border covers are very rare, especially in this choice condition (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States Auburn N.Y. to Kingston]

(Magnolia, Florida Territory, to Saint-Georges, Lower Canada, Dec. 16, 1835). Attractive strike of MAGNOLIA FLA./DEc” two-line datestamp with manuscript 16” date and Free, P. Sexias, PM” on folded letter to St. George” (Saint-Georges), entered Canadian mails with red Montreal L.C. JA 4, 1836” double-circle datestamp and red La Prairie” rimless circle with 7 Jan. 36” arrival date, forwarded with 4-1/2 + 4-1/2/9d” for Canadian postage, Very Fine, an exceptionally rare Florida Territory cover, even more so to Canada, the letter was written by Angelina Sexias (the wife of postmaster Patrick Thompson Sexius) to her brother, ex Sanderson (Image)

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Get Market Data for [United States Magnolia, Fla. to Saint-G]