Lot
48 
(New Mexico) San Fernando De Taos, August 29th, 1853, type 1 manuscript postmark with matching "Paid 5" rating on cover to Francis Preston Blair (member of Jackson's "Kitchen Cabinet" and father of Postmaster General Montgomery Blair) in Silver Springs, Washington City, D.C., with original enclosure datelined "Taos, New Mexico, July 9th, 1853" written by Elisha Riggs Sr. on troubles of the E.F. Beale survey journey to the Pacific, with interesting content in part…I have concluded a long letter to Mary recounting the difficulties and dangers that our party encounter on the way Rio Grande when distant not more then twenty days journey from San Francisco - difficulties that to men equipped as we were proved insurmountable and dangers that threatened the entire party…you will perceive that we did all in the power of men to proceed on our going and to yield to the elements when we had lost the majority of our arms and ammunition & clothing. Beal's persistence amounted in my opinion to obstinacy and temerity he was did to leave no effort throughout the apprehension he entertains endangering his commission from the delay in his journey caused these misfortunes. When I parted with him at his camp on the Rio Quartos in the midst of the Utah country he was laboring under great depression of spirits from this apprehension and his other troubles and I promised him I would write to you soliciting your kind services in his behalf. That if necessary you might inform the President of the true causes of the delay in his arrival in Cal'.; small erosion spots in docketing, Very Fine, ex-Longfellow & Erivan; with 2023 P.F. certificate.Estimate $15,000 - 20,000.
THE EARLIEST RECORDED EXAMPLE OF THE MANUSCRIPT SAN FERNANDO DE TAOS POSTMARK AND UNIQUE OF THIS TYPE.
Letter written by Elisha Riggs, a member of the Beale survey journey from Missouri to the Pacific. Francis P. Blair served under President Andrew Jackson and later under President Buchanan.