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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 Limestone in the state of Alabama , 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.
Robt. L. Clark Joshua Collier L P
W H. Johnson J, L, Ables [P. S.?]
John Smith Jas M. Lane [A. S.?]
Samuel Tanner L. C. Bryan F. M.
Wm J. Richardson Jas M. Cleveland [F. S.?]
Waddy Tate
J. Richardson Thomas, P, Boucher
J. N. Malone B. M. Townsend
D. H, Friend A, C, Cain
Geo. R. Anderson John McAllister
Robert B Allen R J Featherston
James L Raney R C. Sneed
L H Martin
R Joyner O E Sowell
E. W Hilliard W, E, Hoke
Wm W. Gill R W Figg
Benton Sanders J H Hayes.
Dick Brickell W W Mason
Saml, Dewoody E, R Mason
Wm Richardson Robt C. Brickell
J R Scott A L McKinney
John Turrentine
S C Gray M. Thompson
Wm [C?] Rice John Hammerly
Ira E, Hobbs J C Malone
J W Sloss J. F. Sowell
T. Stith Malone his
Ben W X Machin M. D.
mark
J T Harris
R. L. Hendricks R M Greene
R, H, Cartwright
William, T, Allen W. H. Oglesby
Peterson Tanner G. W. Tucker
[P?] T Matthews
<Page 2>
NEW-YORK
DEC 23
PAID
3 cts.Mr R S. ClarkeAthensAla
FREE
Hon. Geo. S. HoustonWashington CityD,C
Mail [?]
[ docketing ]
Alabama
Petition from many citizens of Limestone County praying that the postage on News papers be reduced.
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February 17, 1848 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.
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Post O & P. & R
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Comttee P. O & P O Roads
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Geo S Houston
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Sanders Miss
Paine Jas.
Benton Sanders

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,