Important historical letter from the commissioners of Nantucket (signed by Timothy Hussey and Hezh Barnard) to John P. Bigelow, Secretary of State of Massachusetts, Boston. The letter certifies that George B. Upton, a prominent resident of Nantucket (the George B. Upton house on Nantucket is listed in Historic American Buildings) has applied, took the oath and is qualified "to execute the trust of a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum within and for the County of Nantucket".  Receipt of the letter is noted and signed with the initals JPB on the outside fold.  Letter is very clean and easy to read.  Green Nantucket postmark and PAID are premium marks.  12.5-cent rate was proper rate for the distance and did not include a charge for travel over water.