Lot
762 
Via Tehauntepec, manuscript routing directive on yellow cover to Washington, D.C. originating with "Weaverville, Cal. Jan 1" [1859] black cds and matching arced "Paid 10" rate handstamp, Very Fine and choice, illustrated in Ashbrook Volume 2, page 254.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
In October 1858, a route was contracted as 8162 from San Francisco to New Orleans using a mixed steamboat and overland route via the Tehuantepec Isthmus in Mexico. Contracted at $250,000 for 12 months with twice a month service. The course of the route was by steamboat to either Acapulco or Salina Cruz, then overland by mule to Suchile, then by river boat to Minatitlan on the Caotzacoalcos River and then by steamboat to New Orleans, La. The route was little used as the section over the mountain range by mule created a long transit time. The total revenue collected for the route was just $5,276.66 and the route was not renewed in 1859. From October 1858 to March 1859, the "Quaker City" was used on the New Orleans to Minatitlan portion of the route. A total of 25 covers endorsed as going "Via Tehuantepec" are recorded in the census.
Realized: $950