Jamaica 1842 North Carolina USA Forwarded Ship Letter Mandeville w/Political Letter

Stampless folded letter, with family contents as well as fascinating political commentary, a partial transcript of which is included below, postmarked SALEM NC (Dec 24) in blue, endorsed “via Baltimore / per the earliest vessel”, the flap bearing manuscript “forwarded by Masons Co.”, to the Mandeville Post Office, Island of Jamaica, PAID strike in blue, with superior strike of two-line JAMAICA / SHIP LETTER (type SL5) partially overtop, Kingston transit backstamp (JA 21), the contents including small cutout insert in manuscript showing vote tallies for Governor by county in 1840 and 1842, some internal paper splitting, a fascinating window into the politics of the period, coupled with significant postal history attributes; the sender writes :   “…with U.S. Senator they are in difficulty, they can’t unite on one candidate, they had several ballotings (sic), some voted for Bedford Brown and others for Judge Saunders [Romulus Mitchell Saunders], both parties seem to be very obstinate. (Brown is for Van Buren, and Saunders for Calhoun). They talk of dropping both these candidates, for there is no prospect that either of them can be elected unless the Whigs should help them, it is said that both parties have other candidates in view, in case they let these go. The Whigs have so far voted for Graham, yet there is nothing done yet towards the Congressional districts except appointing committees for that purpose. In Congress there is nothing of consequence done, yet several members have given notice that they would move to have the Bankrupt law repealed and so it ought to be; Adams and Wiser have been spouting at one another about abolition petitions. Tyler in his message hammers on his Exchequer plans again, and I wish it would pass, perhaps it would help money matters a little, and a little would be better than nothing, at the end of the message he begs Congress for Gen. Jackson to have the fine repaid to him, which he had to pay at New Orleans, the old man feels the effect of hard times too…”