Lot
1038 
(Mississippi River - Illinois Territory) "Kaskaskia, 24 Augt 1811", manuscript postmark and matching "25" cent rating on folded letter to Pittsburgh Pa., enclosed letter from son to father tells of spring flooding by Mississippi River, deaths from fever, hardships and the ensuing settlements about Cape Girardeau (then part of Louisiana Territory); some soiling, F.-V.F., ex-Meroni. Estimate $500 - 750.
Kaskaskia was the site of the oldest town in the west first being settled by Jesuits in 1703 as an Indian Village and a Mission at the Mouth of the Kaskaskia River and its Junction with the Mississippi River about 60 miles south of Cahokia. Was taken over for the American Colonies by George Rogers Clark on July 4, 1778, from which point Clark moved to capture Vincennes in 1779. First became a post office around 1800 and later first Capital of Illinois Territory and first Capitol of the State of Illinois 1818-1820. Eventually completely destroyed by flooding.
Realized: $425