1839 Steamboat BALLOON Hudson River Letter 2 US Congressman Josiah Sutherland NY For Sale

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1839 Steamboat BALLOON Hudson River Letter 2 US Congressman Josiah Sutherland NY:
$149.77

1839 Steamboat BALLOON Hudson River Letter to US Congressman Josiah Sutherland NY

Approximately 8" by 11" see pics for condition. Great piece with quite a bit of obvious damage.

- fascinating 1839 original stampless folded letter written aboard the historic Hudson River Steam-Boat BALLOON on August 2, 1839, sent from Catskill, NY to Josiah Sutherland Jr. in Hudson, Columbia County, NY.
  The document is written on pre-printed ledger/stationery paper bearing the bottom tally block for "STEAM-BOAT BALLOON" (E. B. Clayton, Printer and Stationer, No. 6 Tontine Buildings, Wall-street).
  Key Historical Highlights:
  - Addressee: Josiah Sutherland Jr. (1804–1887), noted New York lawyer, Columbia County District Attorney, and U.S. House of Representative (1851–1853). The outer address panel reads: "Josiah Sutherland Jr., Counsellor, Hudson, Col. Co., N.Y." with an archival docketing notation on the left edge: "Jos. Sutherland 1839".
  - Steamboat Balloon Connection: The writer specifically mentions writing the letter aboard the vessel while navigating the Hudson River, making a humorous apology for the rough handwriting:
    "I wrote it aboard of the boat, & it was with difficulty that I could keep my pen on the paper..."
  - Content Summary: The letter discusses family travels and health around Catskill, Oak Hill, and Preston Hollow, NY, referencing family members and travel plans along the river.
  Transcription Excerpt:
  "Catskill August 2d 1839
  My Son I left Josiah, Jr. this day & went ashore at Catskill. Josiah's sister's daughter was wishing to return home near Preston Hollow & she prevailed on me to accompany her to Oak Hill & I concluded to go to see her before I returned home..."
  "...I wrote it aboard of the boat, & it was with difficulty that I could keep my pen on the paper but without making any apology, it will bear inspection as well as a Lawyer's writing..."
  "...Josiah Sutherland"
  Condition Notes:
  - Authentic 1839 manuscript on period paper.
  - Features red wax seal remnant/tear on front and back panels where opened.
  - Light staining, ink smears, and age-related edge wear/minor paper loss along original folds and edges (see photos for full details).
  - Pre-printed "STEAM-BOAT BALLOON" log header/footer clearly visible on lower