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(Early Steamboats) Hugh T. Mercer, Two Autograph (Early Steamboats) Hugh T. Mercer, Two Autograph Le

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
(Early Steamboats) Hugh T. Mercer, Two Autograph (Early Steamboats) Hugh T. Mercer, Two Autograph Le
<B>(Early Steamboats) Hugh T. Mercer, Two Autograph Letters Signed </B></I>"<I>Hugh Mercer</B></I>", each two pages, 8" x 10", Fredericksburg, Virginia, August 21, 1830 and September 10, 1830 to Nicholas Biddle, President of the Bank of the United States, discussing the newly-opened ferry service between Fredericksburg and Baltimore. Hugh T. Mercer, the son of Revolutionary War surgeon Hugh Mercer and father of Confederate General Hugh Weedon Mercer, writes to Biddle on August 21: "<I>Thinking it quite probable that the Stock of our New Steamer, plying between this & Balt[im]o[re] will be good Stock, will you be so good as to inform me... whether you can procure for me... a few Shares...</B></I>" On September 10, he writes again to Biddle: "<I>I was the writer of a little piece in one of the papers of this place a few weeks since, with the Signature of 'a Patron of the Scheme,' in which I took the Liberty of recommending you as the Treasurer of the Funds which may be contributed in the Steam boats of our Country, or the benefit of Mr Fulton' family... at the request of Capt Noah Fairbanks of the Steamer 'Rappahannock,' plying weekly between this Town & Baltimore, I forward you a Check for twenty two Dollars & fifty five Cents, that being the amount contributed to his Box, during the short period the Boat has been in motion. The Stockholders of this very fine Boat, will always feel pleasure in reflecting that it was with some of them, this beneficent Scheme originated, & that the first impulse was given to it on board the 'Rappahannock' when she commenced her route the first of the past summer...</B></I>" With integral address panels. Extremely light toning, usual folds, small loss from seal tear, first page of one letter neatly trimmed, else fine condition. Early documents of this nature detailing the formative years of travel and commerce are quite significant. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection. Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.