1809 - Letter from a pioneer steamboat captain requesting approval from the New London Customs House Collector, a former general officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, for a sailor to receive medical care under the Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen

This turned, two-page stampless folded letter, measuring 16" x 13" unfolded, was first sent by Moses Rogers, master of the steamboat Phoenix which traveled between New York Harbor and the Delaware River on the first steam-powered, ocean-going voyage in American waters between New York Harbor and the Delaware River. The letter was answered by General Jedidiah Huntington, the "Collector of the Port" in New London, Connecticut on August 30, 1809. It bears a "17" rate mark, a curved "PAID" handstamp, and an indistinct circular handstamp. It was turned, i.e., returned and addressed to Rogers "onboard the Steam boat Phanex (Phoenix), with a "17" rate mark and a manuscript postmark reading "N. London / Septr 5". (This is likely the fourth earliest known steamboat-carried letter and the first that was not carried by Robert Fulton's North River Line). In nice shape.

In it, Rogers requested that Huntington issue his associate, a "sick & disabled' merchant seaman named Martin A. Gardiner, a hospital 'passport' which was necessary for Gardner to be admitted in and cared at the New London Marine Hospital. It reads in part:

"I have a man by the name of John A. Gardner who Sailed & Paid hospital money a long time out of the port of New London. His at present a proper subject for an Hospital & as such is recd into that of Pennsylvania, but as I have become surety for certain expenses in the event of non-procuring a Certificate of the man's having paid Hospital Charges, I make bold to request you will be so obliging as to forward one to me without delay. . .."

Huntington granted Roger's request and signed an endorsement on the letter that reads,

"District of port of New London 4 Sep. 1809 I certify that the above named John A Gardner is entitled to the relief provided by law for sick & disabled seamen.