History Of USA Joseph Story Second Letter Portland 1826

Story lived in Salem from about 1800 to 1829. He served in the Massachusetts legislature from 1808-09, and also in 1811. This letter, sent in summer 1826, apparently contained a reprint of all laws passed in Maine in the 1825-26 legislative term, which probably ended earlier in the summer. Story has no special connection to the State of Maine, but as a well-known legislator and jurist, he probably was on a courtesy mailing list to receive notice of new state laws. The stampless cover appears to indicate 12 cents paid. The mailing distance is just 95 miles, so it likely was a heavier piece.

Maine was part of Massachusetts until 1820. As a member of the Mass legislature he may have had some involvement with what was then the District of Maine of Massachusetts.

I'll be the first to say it, I wish they taught me penmanship like that.

Except for my signature, I haven't written in cursive in over 30 years. Some elementary schools are no longer teaching cursive.