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PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
To THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED:
The undersigned , citizens of the City County & State of New york. respectfully petition Congress to pass a law, establishing
1. A uniform rate of Two Cents on letters weighing half an ounce, and two cents for every additional half ounce, prepaid, and double that rate if not prepaid. ^Drop Letters one cent^
2. Newspapers, periodicals, and all printed matter, one cent per sheet, prepaid; but newspapers of the smaller size half a cent. ^to be prepaid, except newspapers & periodicals sent from the office of publication.^
3. To reduce the postage on letters and newspapers by mail packets and steamers, to a rate which will bring it within the means of every class of citizens to maintain frequent intercourse with their friends in other countries, without feeling the postage to be a burdensome tax.
4. To adopt measures that in all large towns and cities there shall be a free delivery of letters and newspapers, and also for the reception and conveyance of letters to the post-office for the mails free of any expense.
5. To abolish the franking privilege entirely, that postage may be paid on every thing sent by the mails. Postage of members of Congress to be paid as their other expenses, and postmasters to be remunerated for the loss of the franking privilege and the temporary diminution of their income, by an increase of their commissions.
NAMES. PLACE OF RESIDENCE.
A. J. Leighton Newyork
A. S. Swartz Do
Samuel R Brady do
Robert Smith do
Thomas W Kelly do
Thomas M Cahill 80-7th St
T Jeff Smith Jr 70 Wall St
Peter Murtha New York
T. R. Condert W. Marks Place
C. Condert Jr Do
F. Roshore 320 Liberty
E [?] Arnocey New York
[Thady Brew?] New York 13th Str Nr 182.
Otto; Graff New York Nr 110 First avenue
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free
NEW - Y[ORK?]
JAN 7 Hon. Horace Greely House of Reps Washington D.C
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New York
Memorial from citizens of New-York for cheap and uniform Post. &c.
By Mr. Greeley.
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January 9, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads
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√
[ endorsement ]
01/07/1849
14 Petitioners for Cheap Postage from yrs respectfully
Jany 7/49 B Bales
[ docketing ]
Com. on P. Offices.

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,