cover 'U.S. Naval Lyceum' with illustration of a Full Rigged Sailing Ship, clear oval private forwarder's handstamp on reverse (across the cover seam) of 1844 stampless folded letter addressed to a midshipman aboard the 'U.S. Frigate United States, Pacific Squadron, care of Naval Lyceum, Brazil', many ms. additions as the Naval Lyceum tried to locate this sailor through changes in his ship (U.S. Savannah) and his station ('Valparaiso, S.A.'), ms. docketing on reverse '1 cent paid by the Lyceum' and ms. notation of second forwarder 'forwarded by Jenkins & Co., Rio de Janeiro', with great political contents 'Mr. Van Buren has been defrauded of the nomination for President - Mr. Polk of Tennessee has been nominated in his place - Mr. Van Buren's opposition to the annexation of Texas has gone against him at the South.' The midshipman's uncle was a delegate to the Democratic party convention. The letter further states that 'Mr. Polk is a particular friend of Mr. Van Buren, and was to be nominated as Vice President - none of the other candidates at least have succeeded - when they found that Mr. Van Buren could not be nominated, rather than agree to the others, Mr. Van Buren setted upon Mr. Polk', A VERY FINE STRIKE ON A VERY FRESH REMARKABLY WELL-PRESERVED MUCH FORWARDED STAMPLESS LETTER WITH GREAT POLITICAL CONTENT, ASCC $500.00 est.