UNITED STATES STAMPLESS COVERS

1802 HANDSOME "PORTSMOUTH, N. H." TWO-LINE CANCEL ON DOUBLE WEIGHT 40¢ LETTER
 CROSSED OUT AND RE-RATED "FREE" TO PHILADELPHIA PURVEYOR

COVERED BY OUR 5 YEAR PHILATELIC GUARANTEE OF AUTHENTICITY

"Sh[ip] 10" Rate

Front: Clear Strike of "PORTSMOUTH,N.H./SEPTr 22" Two-line black cancel.  Originally rated in red manuscript as 40[¢], this was crossed out, likely initialed by postmaster "F.F." in script and then "Free" was written in as it was on official business.
Reverse: Several penciled lotting numbers. Docketing note states: "B. Leverett Ajt Mil Agent Portsmouth New Hampshire/requires no answer/has rec'd the amount of his [statement] for purchasing articles for that Post.
Notes: Nice Re-Rated Double Weight Letter traveling between 300-500 miles which has been initialed and crossed out and rated "Free" as it was on official business.
Condition: Very Fine with usual file folds and some spotting.
Contents: Legible English: Dateline Portsmouth, NH Sept 20, 1802. Mr. Benjamin Leverett acknowledges receipt of funds to cover his expenses in purchasing supplies and thanks Israel Wheten, Purveyor of Public Supplies in Philadelphia.

Reverse of Cover

 Offered by EmpirePost.com
a division of Berryhill & Sturgeon, Ltd

OUR 5 YEAR PHILATELIC GUARANTEE OF AUTHENTICITY

As a Life Member of the American Philatelic Society and in association with the American Philatelic Society's new guidelines on expertization, Berryhill & Sturgeon, Ltd. will guarantee the authenticity of this philatelic item to the purchaser of record for a period of five years from the date of sale. You will receive a full color receipt with our written guarantee of authenticity - signed and sealed. Please note that our five year Guarantee of Authenticity does not apply to condition issues such as centering, cancel, gum, paper or other aspects of the item. It is the buyer's responsibility to promptly examine the material upon receipt for any vices, defects or other dissatisfactions and return it within our seven day examination and "return-for-any-reason" period. However, if at any time during the five year period you receive an opinion from the American Philatelic Expertizing Service that this item is not authentic, please return the item in its original condition along with the written guarantee and contrary opinion and we will refund you the original purchase price and the cost of the opinion.