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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 Luzernein the state of Pennsylvania, 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 1 1-2 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.
John Brittain Joseph E Shively
Henry Hayden Joseph. H. Prescott
Thos N Stevens James Long
John Ervin
James [Tull?] Saml. C. Dodson
Valentine Santie G C [Merriman?]
B Coleman J. K. Millard
J H Davison C W Kingsbury
E Wadsworth J W Chapins
B B Emory Wm Tyesman
Wm Gwynn Benjamin Jones
Wm Emory E. T. Bogert
John N Longue J H Hoyt
J [H?] Crawford
Geo Bowman J. S. Dodon
CIRCULAR.
The above style of petition has been agreed upon by the Editors and Publishers of the leading juvenile papers in the country, to be used in a general effort to memorialize Congress for the objects therein set forth. We send you a copy, presuming you will take an interest in securing as many signatures as practicable. When the list of names shall fill the above page, you can cut off this circular, and, by paste or wafers, add another half sheet to the page. You can thus continue to attach half sheets to any extent that may be required.
When your list of signatures is complete, you will please inclose the petition in a neat envelop, and (unless you have an opportunity to send it free of expense to us at New-York) address it by mail to the Hon. Henry C. Murphy, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.
All the petitions should reach Washington by the last day of January, 1848.
By prompt attention to this matter, you will do your part to bring about a very important result, and confer a special favor on your sincere friends and brethren,
George Lane, } Publishers of Sunday School and Missionary Advocates.
C. B. Tippett,
C. Pitman, Editor of Missionary Advocate.
D. P. Kidder, Editor of Sunday School Advocate.
New-York, Dec. 1, 1847.
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NEW-YORK
DEC 28
PAID
3 cts.Doct J. S. CrawfordGeo BowmanCambriaLuzPenn
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Pennsylvania
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Petition of Citizens of Luzerne County Penna praying for an immediate & proportionate reduction of postage on all newspapers not containing more than 500 square inches
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Referred to commee on Post offices & Post roads.
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February 4 1848 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.
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Butler
Pa.
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Butler

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,