ALS signed “William Neall,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 9.75, November 6, 1847. Final page bears an address panel to “Mr. George Rollins, Cape Elizabeth, Maine,” and is cancelled by the provisional post office at Brazos de Santiago with the "l0" marking for the due postage. The year date is not part of this variation of the postal cancel. Soldier's letter is headed "Mouth of the Rio Grande, Texas." The soldiers are encamped on the Rio Grande River, at the mouth but on the north side. This is the area claimed by both the governments of Mexico and Texas but the boundary is not really clear and gave rise to the first shooting incidents of the Mexican War. Mexico claims that the River Nueces is the northern boundary of Mexico. The United States claims that the Rio Grande River (south of the River Nueces) is the southern border of the Untied States. When General Taylor‘s Forces were sent into the disputed area the Mexicans took up arms against them. In very good condition, with partial separations along intersecting folds, scattered toning and soiling, a few small tears, and pencil notations on last page. RRAuction COA.
