Seeking Info on this 1850 Cover

[AU24K]

Can anyone provide info on this stampless 1850 cover?
It appears to be a bill of some sort.
I'm having difficulty deciphering what is written.
Is it collectible and, if so, what would be the value?
Appreciate your replies.

Best Wishes,

Scott

 

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[robertk]

I can't read all of it, but I can read enough to believe it says "S Slater & Sons" of Webster, Mass (Massachusetts) -- a town which he apparently founded. There is plenty of info on him online, including a biography here. Maybe a bill or receipt? It concludes with "which we believe you will find correct. Yours respectfully" but I can't make out the name.

 

[Red-Coat]

In March 1845, Congress reduced and simplified postal rates to 5¢ per ½ oz. for a letter sent up to 300 miles (and 10¢ for a letter sent over 300 miles). Handstamps in ink were used until they began to be phased out after the first government issue of adhesive stamps on 1 July 1847 (although some post offices had already begun producing ‘provisional’ adhesives), becoming mandatory in 1855.

I don’t think there’s any particular value in the handstamped cover itself. Standard New York 5 cent red covers from this period seem to have asking prices of no more than about $20.

S. Slater & Sons was a textile business with several mills (the sons were made partners in 1829). Although Slater himself is famous as "Father of the American Industrial Revolution", this appears to be a mundane settlement of an outstanding account by one of Slater’s many customers.

I can’t read the detailed account statement, but one of items listed seems to be a bale of 12 yd. [yards?] of sheeting. The letter below the account seems to read “Enclosure(?). Please find check for balance of a/c as per statement above which we believe you will find correct.” I can’t read the customer name but since the letter refers to “we”, I think it’s generically signed on behalf of a company.

As such, I would think any additional premium for historical interest would be pretty minimal.