red datestamp with matching "Paid" pointing hand and manuscript "25" rate on folded letter to "Dr. Ashbel Smith, Surgeon General of the Texan Army, City of Houston, Texas", endorsed "Care of Smith, Hubbard & Co, New Orleans", black "Sam. Ricker Jr., New Orleans, Agent of the Texian Post Office" oval handstamp and two-line "Steam Packet Columbia", very fine, no Texas postage necessary as army officers had franking privilege, Smith was born in Hartford in 1805, ex-Arnold