The undersigned, payers of postage, represent:

1. That the present rates of postage are unnecessarily and unreasonably high, calculated to limit the correspondence of the people, and to diminish the revenue of the Post Office.

2. That a uniform rate of two cents on letters weighing half an ounce, and the same rate on every additional half ounce, with a corresponding reduction on newspapers and printed mailable matter, not to exceed one cent per sheet for any distance in the United States, if pre-paid, will be ultimately sufficient to meet the ordinary expenses of the Post Office Department, and extend its usefulness.

3. That the franking privilege be entirely abolished; that the postage of Members of Congress be paid as their ordinary expenses; and that the compensation of postmasters should be graduated and compensated according to the labor performed, without regard to the privilege of franking.

Wherefore, we entreat your honorable bodies to take early, decided and efficient measures for the relief of the people from the present unreasonable and burdensome tax on their correspondence, which abridges social and commercial intercourse, and injuriously affects the usefulness and prosperity of the Post Office Department.