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To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress assembled:
The undersigned, citizens of the United States, residing in the county of VanWert in the state of Ohio, respectfully represent the great inequality now prevailing in the rates of postage on newspapers, the smallest being chargeable with the highest rates.
Whereas, the principle of size and weight is now adopted in the laws of the United States as the basis of post-office charges; and, whereas, newspapers not exceeding 1900 square inches are chargeable at the rate of 1 cent for 100 miles, and 11/2 cents for all greater distances, if without the state in which they are published; your petitioners would urge the importance of reducing said charges at least ONE HALF on all papers not containing more than 500 square inches.
Your petitioners represent that, within a few years past, numerous juvenile papers have sprung up in different sections of the United States, for the instruction of the young in science, morals, and religion, which papers are now extensively patronized by children, who, notwithstanding these papers are usually not one quarter the size or weight allowed by law, have to pay on them the same postage that is charged on the largest sheets that pass through the mails. Besides the manifest injustice of this regulation, your petitioners represent that many thousands of children and youth are deterred from subscribing to these useful papers solely by the comparatively excessive postage chargeable on the small sheets they desire to obtain.
A reduction, therefore, of postage, in favor of juvenile newspapers of small dimensions, would not only tend greatly to diffuse knowledge and piety, the bulwarks of our national prosperity, but would increase the revenues of the post-office department.
For an immediate and proportionate reduction of postage, therefore, on all newspapers not containing more than 500 square inches, your petitioners respectfully and urgently pray.
NAMES. NAMES.
Rev. Jacob S. Albright Smith Hill
James M Young Elihu Ireland
Wm. Priddy Wm B Priddy
David King A. G. Priddy
Geo. Troup
Nathaniel Sikes J. W. D Camp
Wm. Todd Samuel Kestler
Peter Hire
Wm. Martin Robt Ireland
10 John Arndt Henry Saum
Jeremiah Hire 30 J. N. Priddy
Thomas D. Priddy John Summersett
Aaron Cobb John Hine
Abram Hire
David Welch Wm Summersett
Nathan Davis Adam Saum
Samuel C. Gray Silas Martin
John King jun.
[Calvin?] Stacy Henry Herod
20 John Beiler Adison Group
John Bates.
A J Troup Henry Davis
40 Francis Dills total 40
G. [Nyr?] Bentler.
M. Kingsley Jonathan Finfrock
F Pangle Charles W [Neuman?]
N L Pangle David Hutton.
H. W. LeRoy Nehemiah Spraigue
Charles Ross Umphrey Pedicord
Jacob Thorn James Tafe
Geo L [Reggins?], Putnam Co Amos Metcalf
H. F. [Gaking?] R. M. Pedicord
George Razler 10 Marshal Thatcher
10 Jaremiah Sissler Jacob Thorn
James. M. Steward Benjamin Thorn
John Daub I. H. Delong
S Nath Amos Ely
Godfred Sawter Jacob Ely
Hiram Metcalf Joseph Saterthwait
Richard Welch John Delong
S. Custard Jacob Markle
G [?] John Miller
T B Miller 10 Robert Miller
10 L G Roebuck R. W. Lytle
Oliver Talbert S Clutter
Samuel Custer
Lesley Reily Total 89 in all
John Crist
Jacob Cowan
Jacob Hidlebough
Zach. Metcalf
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PAID
CINCINN[A?]TI. O.
DEC 31
3Rev. J S. AllbrightSection TenPutnam,Ohio
Section Ten a
Jny 22
free
Hon. William SawyerWashington CityD.C.
[ docketing ]
Ohio
A Petition from citizens of vanwert Co. O, praying a reduction of Postage on certain Newspapers & Juvanile publications
[ docketing ]
Referd to the comt on Post offices & Post Roads
[ docketing ]
January 31, 1848 Referred to the Committee on the Post office & Post Roads
[ docketing ]
by Mr Sawyer

Partially Printed Document Signed, 2 page(s), RG 233, Entry 367: Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Thirtieth Congress, 1847-1849, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents Which Were Referred to Committees, 1847-1849, NAB,