The undersigned citizens of Buffalo NY & Engaged at the Arcole Foundry, Respectfully
petition Congress to pass a law to Establish: ⋄
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 if the postage is 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 reception and conveyance of letters to the post-office for the mails free of any expense.
4. To abolish the franking privilege entirely, so that postage may be paid on every thing sent by the mails. Postage of members of Congress to be paid as their own 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.⋄
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 reception and conveyance of letters to the post-office for the mails free of any expense.
4. To abolish the franking privilege entirely, so that postage may be paid on every thing sent by the mails. Postage of members of Congress to be paid as their own 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.⋄
| L. Wentworth | Wm Wilkeson |
| Chrisr Pearson | |
| Albert Meanley | |
| John Leakill | |
| David DeVeaux | Thomas Harrison |
| John Foot | |
| Joel Hoffman | R. H. Eastman |
| John Hern | Chas K. Emery |
| Michael Kline | Robert Bingham |
| Peter Kline | |
| Henry Vanderberry | James Fairman |
| L D. Linedlen | Wm Lafountain |
| Andrew Klem | Henry Storms |
| J. Recktenwatt | Alen Henderson |
| Lester Brooks | James McDougle |
| S. Brooks | N. Recktenwatt |
| H. Brooks | Henry [Teloy?] |
| Wm Pensenk | Wm Bates |
| B. Burnes | John McKenna |
| John [Cochanes?] | Peter Elgas |
| Henry Pooder | Mattis Johns |
| P. Amsding | John Loriah |
| john gartson | Wm Hines |
| James Elson | Geo Harris |
| A. Elson | Mattis Seymour |
| Wm Law | Lewis Slauter |
| B Gartson | F. Patio |
| J. Woodesburgh | Robt Donnelly |
| Levi Welch | C F Kneeland |
| Wm Brew | A. W. [Bright?] |
| Cadwallader Bird | |
| J. F. Townsend |
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New York
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Petitions from William Wilkeson & others citizens of Buffalo New York praying for
uniform & cheap postage and the entire abolition of the Franking privilege
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January 20 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post office and Post Roads
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Com. on the P.O. & P. Roads.
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N. K. Hall, of N.Y.
Autograph 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,