Terrific [and Scary] 1864 BOSTON Letter Concerning SALT Screw-up by JAMES BLISS

Description

Offered here is a 1p. ALS, 7" x 8 1/2", dated Boston  December 13, 1864, sent to Alfred Patterson Jr. in North Edgecomb, Maine, signed James Bliss, concerning a terrible mistake made in shipment:  "... On the 27th of October last I sent you as I supposed ten pounds of salts.  I this day received a letter from the firm of whom I purchased them and they inform me that it is refine salt-pe[t]re instead of salt, put up through mistake. ... you may not sell it for salts, as it would undoubtly cause trouble if taken unawares as a medicine..."  Folds, otherwise very good.  An explosive situation indeed !