Black "SHIP 14 1/2" straightline handstamp on May 29, 1827 Boston folded letter to New Orleans with manuscript "P. Illinois"

This cover was carried from Boston to New Orleans by a non-contract ship. The mail was taken off the vessel at the
Balize, and turned into the post office, at the entrance to the Mississippi River. It was thereupon marked SHIP and
rated 14 1/2 cents [121/2 cents for the distance 80 -150 miles + 2 cents hip fee), and placed in a closed bag for the trip up the River.

The Mail Route fiction only applied to ships sailing from New Orleans to Boston, Philadelphia or Providence, not to
Vessels sailing from these ports to New Orleans.