Lot 543
1836 Missionary's Letter. Folded, lengthy 3 2/3 page letter, 13¾ x 10½ inches, written at sea, en route to India, during the month of December, 1836, by an American missionary named William to his mother, Mrs. Susanna Tracy, in Norwich, Connecticut. Many observations of scenery along the way--a school of porpoises, flying fish, Portuguese men of war, and a description of how dolphins changed colors as they died. He describes giving out tracts and religious services aboard ship; he says that the captain, who is a Unitarian "resting entirely on his own good works for salvation," thinks that the sailors are "so vile nothing would do them good." Some toning and small fold splits. Manuscript postage with "SHIP" stamp and "Boston" forwarding postmark., and a forwarding notation by the U.S. Consul at the Cape of Good Hope. Interesting content.
Estimated Value $300 - 400.
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