Lot
1651 
Fort Meade, E. Fla., May 17th 1850, dateline on folded letter postmarked red type IV "Tampa/Flor./May 20" cds with matching type a "Free", to Maj. Gen. N. Towson, Paymaster Gen. in Washington, endorsed "On Official Business"; the sender, a Lt. Col. H. Bainbridge, requests that his pay be made available to his family in Boston, Very Fine, ex Light. Estimate $200 - 300.
The Post Office at Fort Meade was not established until March of 1860, but as early as 1849, according to FSPH, mail was carried weekly along an Indian trail to Tampa for posting.
Realized: $220