39 cents charged on this letter (double) made up of twice 18-1/2 c U.S. Postage to the lines plus two cents ship fee, making 39 cents, this was equivalent to 2/- Canadian. 1/6d Canadian due as twice 9d Canadian postage from the lines to Montreal, making 3 N 6 (3/6d) due on arrival.

The "James Monroe" left New York on January 5th, 1818 – The first ever sailing of the legendary Black Ball line; she arrived in Scotland on January 28th, 1818.

This cover was written at Liverpool on March 1st, 1818, it was on the ship when she set sail from Liverpool on March 3rd, however, she took a terrible beating in the Irish channel and was forced to limp back to port for repairs. On March 26 the vessel once more set out for New York, this time she crossed without mishap, taking some 34 days in doing so -- this ties in with the Apr 29 receipt mark on this letter in New York.