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A CROWDED PACKETBOAT AND AN OVERTURNED STAGECOACH

Autograph Letter Signed, "M.H.D." Three pages, 8" x 13 1/4". Packet Boat Susquehana. Wednesday, 8 AM, not date, no year. Addressed on integral leaf to "Samuel Dale Esq Lancaster PA." With red, circular "Lewistown" postal cancellation. The letter reads, in part: " … Our boat is crowded- fifty passengers are on the way bill thirty of them for Pittsburgh - more entered at Lr. [?] but 8 of them for sake of expedition have taken the stage. There was a great stowing away of passengers last night. There being only about 28 berths- 4 were laid on the table & four under the table, there was quite a contention as to what ones were entitled to precedence & and it seemed odd to listen to them contending who were entitled to be laid under the table- many sat on the floor, some took their rest on chairs - as one of the "through" passengers I am entitled to a berth. The stage containing the passengers who left us at Harrisburg for a more expeditious conveyance has just upset in sight- here come the passengers, with bruised head, arms, body … six our of 8 are injured- With our permission the Captain takes them on board were are now a perfect jam- the females are all busy tying [sic] and binding up the wounds of the unfortunate - there a great many flesh wounds & bruises, but no limbs broken- no one seriously injured the horses ran with the stage & it fell to pieces as they went … a sick entertainment & no extra charge … " Pinholes at folds. Else Fine.