Commodore Perry's 1853 Expedition to Japan. Letter datelined "Ship 'Richard Alsop', ship of 900 tons, Under sail for home, aft the Bogue [bayou] discharging our pilot, June 9th 1853," from Dr. Edmund L. DuBarry, U.S. naval surgeon on the U.S.S. Susquehanna in Commodore Perry's East India Squadron, with original small cover to Mrs. Edmund L. DuBarry, care of Dr. Franklin Bache (great grandson of Benjamin Franklin), Philadelphia, sender's directive "Via Overland Mail" and "via Southampton", backstamped with "Canton 21 JU 1853" datestamp (Webb Ty. 2) and "Hong-Kong 22 JU 1853" datestamp, partly clear strike of "SHIP LETTER/VICTORIA HONG KONG" two-line handstamp, red London "AN 20 AU 20 1853" datestamp, manuscript "2/" two-shillings debit (48c), manuscript U.S. "32" cents rate crossed out and re-rated "53" due at Philadelphia exchange office, notation on back "Last letter to his wife Emma Duane DuBarry" and "from my Grandfather Louis DuBarry, Surgeon--U.S. Navy--with Commodore Perry to Japan"--indeed, despite DuBarry's optimism in his letter ("I hope to see you in about four months & a half or may be even sooner"), he notes "I am very weak" and actually died at sea on this return voyage

VERY FINE. A RARE COVER AND LETTER FROM AN AMERICAN NAVAL SURGEON WITH COMMODORE PERRY'S SQUADRON DURING THE 1853 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN, SENT FROM CHINA AS A SHIP LETTER AND CARRIED BY BRITISH MAIL TO THE UNITED STATES.

During Commodore Perry's first expedition to Japan in 1852-53, the U.S.S. Susquehanna arrived in "Loo Choo" (Ryukyu Islands) on May 17, 1853, and departed May 26. In mid-June the squadron visited Ogasawara Island. The cover and letter offered here were sent by Dr. DuBarry, the fleet surgeon, during this phase of the expedition. He left the fleet and boarded the Richard Alsop on its return voyage from China, probably due to illness. Dr. DuBarry wrote this letter to his wife while at sea on June 9. It entered the British Post Office at Canton on June 21, 1853, and was treated as a ship letter at the British Post Office in Hong Kong on June 22. From there it traveled on the Peninsular & Oriental route, arriving in London August 20, for continued service to the United States by a Cunard packet.

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