Potomac landings . acco downriver to the little capital at St. Marys as from any ofthe plantation landings to factors in London, Bristol,or other oversea city. The letter was written on alarge sheet in such a manner as to leave the last pageblank. It was then so folded that the blank page be-came the outer wrapping or improvised envelope, andits contents were secured against prying eyes with hugeseals of wax bearing the writers crest. The paperjackets known as envelopes did not appear until 1840and letters were innocent even of postage stamps untilabout the same relatively recent date. When it
Potomac landings . acco downriver to the little capital at St. Marys as from any ofthe plantation landings to factors in London, Bristol,or other oversea city. The letter was written on alarge sheet in such a manner as to leave the last pageblank. It was then so folded that the blank page be-came the outer wrapping or improvised envelope, andits contents were secured against prying eyes with hugeseals of wax bearing the writers crest. The paperjackets known as envelopes did not appear until 1840and letters were innocent even of postage stamps untilabout the same relatively recent date. When it was known that a ship was at or near thelanding and about to sail to the destination intendedfor the letter, it was handed to the captain or an accom-modating passenger for delivery by him when, in thecourse of a leisurely roundabout voyage, the kindlywinds, waves, and pirates might permit him to make hishome port. So it happens that many of the colonial letters beginwith such phrases as: This day Capt. Walker was. Looking up the Potomac From the ramparts of Fort Washington built on the Warburton Manorlands at the mouth of Creek. On a clear clay the city of Washingtonand the Capitol of the United States are visible twelve miles away. In anotherdirection Mount Vernon is in plain view only two miles distant. POTOMAC LANDINGS 309 here and gave me notice of his intention to sail in a fewdays, which sets me immediately to writing; *Anopportunity is presented from N. Potomack and Iembrace it to answer your favour by D Jones; *Ihave this conveniency by Nat. Garland; Mr. Her-riout being bound your way I could not miss so fit anopportunity of saluting yourself and good Lady;This conveniency of M^ Simpson gives me oppor-tunity; By meer accident at M^ Blains store I metwith opportunity by M Adams, and being taken bysurprise, I cannot so fully as I wish answer your letterlately received; I was just writing in my letter booka long letter to you by Capt. Page who sails, he says,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectmarylan, bookyear1921
