10c Green, Ty. V, 3c Dull Red (35, 26). 10c strip of three, tied by grid cancels, bold "Augusta Me. Dec. 20" (1860) circular datestamp on orange-buff cover to the U.S.S. Mohican at St. Paul de Loando, West Coast of Africa, addressed to Third Assistant Engineer James Atkins, red "N. York Am. Pkt. Dec. 22 Paid" exchange circular datestamp, "12" credit in magenta manuscript, red "London Paid JA 7" (1861) circular datestamp, Feb. 1861 receipt docketing on back, tiny tears at bottom from opening, center stamp pre-use tear at left, top stamp barely affected from placement at edge of cover, minor edgewear

VERY FINE. A RARE USE OF THE 1857 ISSUE ON A COVER TO THE UNITED STATES NAVY SLOOP-OF-WAR MOHICAN, WHICH WAS PATROLLING THE WATERS OFF THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA IN SEARCH OF SLAVE-TRADING VESSELS.

St. Paul de Loando was the capital of the Portuguese colony of Angola and a known area of activity for slave traders. The letter is addressed to Third Assistant Engineer James Atkins on the U.S.S. Mohican, which was patrolling the waters off the African coastline. Later this same year the Mohican captured the slave-carrying ship Erie, whose captain, Nathaniel Gordon, was hanged in 1862, the first man condemned under an 1820 Federal law declaring slave-trading a form of piracy. In August 1861 she departed the African coast to take part in the Battle of Port Royal and blockade duty in the Civil War.

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