1793 Folded letter to Providence, Rhode Island, USA from Capt. Rodman of the ship « Hamilton » lying at Kronshtadt, Gulf of Finland, with dateline « Cronstadt July 3rd 1793 ». Endorsement in lower left corner confirms text that letter handed to Capt. John Leach of the ship « Union », bound for Salem (New Jersey), who « sails the first wind to America ». Forwarded on arrival through normal U.S. mails and cancelled in transit with linear N-YORK.SEP.24. Manuscript ‘recd. 30 sep’ « Sh 38 » in red ink in top right corner = Ship 38 cents, made up of 4c ship letter fee plus domestic postage for distance of 200-250 miles 34c for 2 sheets of paper at 17c per sheet, total 38cents payable by recipient. Delivery took 3 months. Very fine