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

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