Alpheus Felch. Free frank "Free A. Felch", former U.S. Senator (1847-53), franked as president of a commission appointed by President Franklin Pierce to settle land claims in California (1853-56), on blue cover from California to Ann Arbor, Michigan, routed thru New York, clear strike of red boxed "Via Nicaragua Ahead of the Mails" handstamp, also strikes of "Steam/Ship" and "Free" handstamps, minor wear

VERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE TRANS-CONTINENTAL COVER WITH ALPHEUS FELCH'S FREE FRANK AND THE "VIA NICARAGUA" ROUTE HANDSTAMP. SENT FROM CALIFORNIA WHILE FELCH WAS PRESIDENT OF A SPECIAL COMMISSION TO SETTLE LAND CLAIMS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE MEXICAN WAR.

Alpheus Felch was Governor of Michigan from 1846 to 1847 and U.S. Senator from March 1847 to March 1853, when he was appointed by President Franklin Pierce to be part of a commission to settle Spanish and Mexican land claims in California arising from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican War. Felch served as president of the commission until 1856. This undated cover was mailed during Felch's stay in California and had to have been franked in his role as commissioner.

Ex Knapp, Wiltsee, Grunin, Robertson.

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