To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress assembled:—
The undersigned, citizens of the United States, residing in the county of Suffolk in the state of Massachusetts , 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.
Boston, Dec. 16 1847| Boston | ||
| NAMES. | NAMES. | |
| Nathaniel Willis. | Editor of Youth Companion | |
| Wm B. Tappan | ag’t for Youths’ Penny Gazette. | |
| C C Dean— | Pubr | Well Spring. |
| A. F. Byam | Pubr | Young Reaper |
| Geo C. Rand & Co | " | Sab. Scholl Adv. fr Boston |
| H. Hoyt | " | Genl Agt Dayspring |
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Massachusetts
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Root
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Petition of Nathl Willis & others in relation to the postage on Newspapers.
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December 28 1847 Referred to the Com on Post Office & Roads
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The Speaker.
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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,