Lot
1328 
"Marion M. Florida, August 22nd 1842", manuscript postmark (type I) with matching "Free" rating on folded cover to Washington D.C.; minor toning and erosion spot just above "s" of "August", F.-V.F. Estimate $500 - 750.
THE EARLIEST OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS FLORIDA TERRITORIAL POSTMARK IN PRIVATE HANDS.
Realized: $1,000
Lot
1329
"Newnansville M.F. July 19", blue manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 25" cent rating on 1841 folded letter to Philadelphia Pa., contents include "The Florida War is yet in operation, we have not been annoyed by Indians this summer. Coachoochee (Wild Cat), an important Chief is a prisoner with about 16 or 17 f his warriors and have been sent off west of the Mississippi. This is an important capture as he is one of the most daring chiefs and has shed a great deal of blood. Col. Worth who now commands the Troops is a very energetic officer and we hope he will be able to do something towards the termination of the war…", Very Fine and choice with excellent Indian War content. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $1,000
Lot
1330
Pensacola, Jan. 8 (American Miltary Government Period), perfectly struck bold two-line postmark with matching "Paid 25" rating on 1822 folded letter to Mary Ann Bradford at Providence R.I., letter mentions: "…I have been introduced to a sister of the celebrated Indian Warrior Weatherford's sister, whom you may recollect delivered himself up to Gen. Jackson during the late war, because his warriors had all been killed"; some fold separations, couple light stains, Very Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
A RARE PENSACOLA STRAIGHTLINE USE DURING THE SHORT AMERICAN MILITARY GOVERNMENT PERIOD.
Lot
1331
Pensacola, Jun 24., sharp strike of two-line postmark and red manuscript "Free" rating on 1822 folded letter to Major C.J. Nourse, Actg. Adjt. Genl., Washington D.C., endorsed "On Service, L. Whiting, Adjt. 4th Art." at top right, letter datelined "Headquarters Pensacola Jun 23 1822"; light file folds, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
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Lot
1332
Pensa F. Feb 1, black cds with "Express Mail" and "75" ratings on 1837 folded letter from Pensacola to Bedford Pa., letter states "I write by Express Mail as the safest and most expeditious", also describes traveling to Natchez and New Orleans, going to the theater, business, etc.; tiny edge tear, Very Fine. Estimate $500 - 750.
A RARE EXPRESS MAIL USE FROM FLORIDA TERRITORY.
Realized: $1,200
Lot
1333
Port Leon, Flo "Dec 2", rimless circular postmark with manuscript date and matching "25" cent rating on folded letter datelined "St. Marks, Novr 27 1842" to Bangor Me., a Very Fine strike of this scarce postmark, ex-Meroni. Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
1334
Port Leon. FLA, Feby "27th.", straightline postmark and matching "Feby" handstamp below with manuscript day and "25" rating on 1841 folded and partly printed letter to New York, bill of lading for cotton shipment; minor fold toning, otherwise Very Fine and scarce. Estimate $300 - 400.
Lot
1335
Quincy Flo., "Decr 5", clear strike of red oval postmark with manuscript date and matching "18¾" rating to Montgomery Ala., good domestic contents with much reference to sickness, selling negroes, and getting 'fat and saucy' in Florida; trivial edge wear, Very Fine, an attractive example of this marking usually found almost always weak or incomplete. Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
1336
"Rocky Comfort Fla, 9th January", manuscript postmark with matching "Free, An. G. Sweet P.M." free frank on 1832 folded letter to Caliborne Ala., letter in regards to receipt of money; aging and toning, Fine, a very scarce postmark. Estimate $200 - 300.
Lot
1337
"Shell Point Florida, Septr. 30th 1835", dateline on folded letter with "Tallahassee, Flo, Tco 7" oval datestamp (Oct month slug wrong letter order) and manuscript "50" rating addressed to The Governor of New Jersey, Trenton, original broadside enclosure 19.5"x11.5" accompanies headed The Shell Point Meeting starting, "In pursuance of public notice, a very large meeting of the citizens of Shell Point took place on the 19th inst. to express themselves upon the question which has created such universal excitement throughout the slave holding States."; letter tape stained and separated folds, broadside split at center and fold separations, Fine. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
A HISTORICAL LETTER AND DOCUMENT SHOWING THE PRO-SLAVERY SENTIMENTS IN FLORIDA TERRITORY.
The Shell Point Meeting broadside is apparently a statement by the pro-slavery populace of Shell Point, residents of a village near Tallahassee in the Florida Territory. The impetus for the meeting was probably a reaction to the mailing of thousands of copies of tracts issued by the American Anti-Slavery Society to individuals in the Southern states. After an indignant mob removed a mass of these papers from the post office at Charleston, S.C., in July, 1835, and burned them, Postmaster-General Amos Kendall wrote postmasters in the South sanctioning their removal of such literature. Feelings grew bitter throughout the country and violent means were used to silence unwelcome opinions.
The resolutions passed at the Shell Point, Florida Territory meeting are indicative of the bitter fears that the federal government was not going to entirely protect the Southern states' slave-holding rights. In part: "Resolved, that we ever look upon this as the GREAT SPLITTING QUESTION among the States; that most political questions are subordinate, and many others owe their existence to it; all of which has ever appeared to us a political absurdity. For, why should this interest create opposition from any quarter, when it is known that products of the 'slave labor' balances the trade of the whole republic, and squares accounts with all other nations."
The immediate target of the wrath of the citizens of Shell point was Arthur Tappan, a leading founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Referring to a Louisiana law making a capital offense of aiding or abetting the circulation of incendiary abolition papers, the resolves call for the governor of New York to give up "such conspicuous person or persons as are known to be foremost in this work of crime and sedition, so that the question may be fairly tried as to their liability under the law …such is our pity, scorn, and contempt of Arthur Tappan and his coadjutors…that we heartily approve of the conduct of the citizens of New Orleans, Charleston, Macon, and elsewhere, in offering a premium for said Tappan, and we will be pleased to pay a pro-rato amount for his delivery." The proceedings of the meeting were to be published in all newspapers in the U. S. Especially mentioned are particular papers in Florida, Washington, Richmond, Charleston, Nashville, New Orleans and Mississippi.
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