To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress assembled:
DEC 31
3Mr. J L MockFreedomLaFayetteMo
The undersigned, citizens of the United States, residing in the county of, Lafayette in the state of Mo , 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 changeable at the rate of 1 cent for 100 miles, and 1½ 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. |
| David Mock Senr | Dolly Davis |
| David Mock | Mary Mock |
| Wesley Mock | James C Hendrick |
| Mrs J E Mock | Fidelia C Leach |
| Wm H Gibbons | A E Walker |
| Harriet J Vanoy | Mary Walker |
| Eleanor Greenwood | M Walker Jr |
| Franklin Mock | Sarah David Jr |
| J S Mock | Sarah A Hendrick |
| Wm L Davis | George R Davis |
| L Smith Walker | Absalom Davis |
| G. W. Davis | Harriet A. Davis |
| Richard Hargrave | |
| James F Catnon | Richard Davis |
| Henry H Brown | Mrs Sarah Davis |
| Mary C Davis | |
| Preston [Melerny?] | Eliza A Mock |
| Jesse H Davis | |
| T J Davis | Jacob Weltown |
<Page 2>
PAID
CINCINNATI. O. DEC 31
3Mr. J L MockFreedomLaFayetteMo
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Missouri
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Petition of David Mock senr & others of Lafayette Co. Mo praying the reduction of postage on newspapers containing
^less than^ 500 square inches. or less.
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February 15 1848 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office & Post Roads.
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Com on P. O. & P. R.
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Phelps
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,