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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 Wickford R.I. respectfully petition Congress to pass a law, establishing
1. A uniform rate of Two Cents postage on letters weighing half an ounce, and two cents for every additional half ounce, prepaid, and double that rate if not prepaid.
2. Newspapers, periodicals, and all printed matter, one cent per sheet; but newspapers of the smaller size half a cent., to be prepaid, except newspapers and 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.
John H. Rouse Wickford R.I.
Sylvester G. Speerman ditto.
George W. T. Allen "
Jas Eldred "
Beriah Gardiner Jr "
Silas Spink "
Jas S. Reynolds "
H. N. Reynolds "
James Hendrick Jr "
Isaac Reynolds "
David A. Hunt do
Henry T. Chadsey do
J T McLaughling do
Lauriston Hall do
Thomas [?] Gardiner do
M. N. Sherman "
James Allen Do
Wm Spencer do
S. E. Brown do
Daniel. Wall do
Henry. F. Sherman. do
Gilbert T. Sewall do
George Larned do
Eliphalet Young do
Robert Gardiner do
Jonathan Slocum
S. M. Rouse do
Alex. B. Rouse
E. C. Carter
J. F. H. Rouse
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R.I.
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Petition of John H. Rouse and 30 others of Wickford (RI) for Reduction of Postage
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January 17. 1849
Refered to Committe on the Post Offices, and Post Roads.
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√
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Thurston

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,