29 January 1840 Waghorn Cover

29 January 1840

Corinphila - 1840 (Jan 29): Entire letter from Capt. (Late Major-General) Francis Jenkins written 'on the (Brahmaputra) river' at Guwahati, Assam to St. Goran, Mevagissey, Cornwall endorsed "per Overland Mail" and "F. Jenkins" to the care of Cantor & Co. in Calcutta, prepaid "8" annas. Struck on arrival by oval framed "*FORWARDED BY / CANTOR & Co. / CALCUTTA" cachet in black. Passed to Waghorn's Agency with rare oval framed "Care of / Mr. T Waghorn / Suez" with 'T' in black (Sidebottom type 3a), signed by George Devenish a clerk for Samuel Smith & Co. and numbered "34", with reverse showing fi ne "STEAM POSTAGE "9" / INLAND Do. "14" annas for a total of 1 rupee 7 annas for up to ¾ tola in weight and the obverse bearing rectangular framed "INDIA" in red of Calcutta. Carried by the EIC "Atalanta" from Bombay (Feb 29) to Suez, departing on the "HMS Megaera" from Alexandria (March 22) to Malta, and thence from Malta (March 28) on the "HMS Prometheus" to Marseille, arriving London on April 7 with weak arrival in black on reverse; charged "2/8d." to pay on arrival (the rate for an under ½ ounce letter from Egypt). It is by no means certain that by this date Waghorn's services off ered any advantage, besides a relative amount of increased safety. An extremely scarce "Double Forwarder" entire of great appeal. Note 1: Journey time 69 days. Note 2: Major-General Francis Jenkins (1793-1866) Agent to the Governor General of Assam, was appointed Chief commissioner for Assam in 1828 and is largely credited as the discoverer of the Assam Tea Industry. A Christian, he married a local Muslim lady Moni Phutuki. He is buried close to Guwahati Railway Station.

"Camellia"