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PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED:
The undersigned, citizens of East St. Johnsbury, in the State of Vermont, 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. Drop letters one cent.
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.
Isaac Harrington St. Johnsbury VT.
S. B. Harrington St Johnsbury Vt
Samuel Stanford '
J. C. Potter
John Little Jr Do
R B. Cobleigh
Josiah Smith Do
George. S.[ Shaw?] Do
C. S. Harrington Do
[Calvin?] Morrill do
Charles [Blinn?] do
Jubal Harrington
H S Wright
Wm C Morgan [Loydon?]
Solon S Gould St Johnsbury Vt.
Alden Russell Kirby VT
David Goodall St Johnsbry Vt
Daniel [?] Waterford
James Hurlbut St Johnsbury
Daniel McGregor St Johnsbury
E. B. Gates St. Johnsbury
Franklin Smith
Ira G. Smith St Johnsbury
Stephen L Park Lyndon
John Ladd Lyndon
David Chapman St. Johnsbury
Sam’l S. Reed. Kirby Vt.
Cephas Hill St Johnsbury
E J Stiles Do "
David Smith Jr "
W. D. Mahorn "
Hon. L. B Peck,Dear Sir:
It is the desire of your petitioners that this1 matter be presented forthwith & without any delay, to Congress; they hope, also, that you will use your influence to carry through this measure at the present session.
In behalf of petitioners
Yours, respectfully,[Mahorn?] .
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vermont
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Petition of I. Harrington & others of St. Johnsbury & vicinity, Vermont, for cheap postage
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January 24, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office & Post Roads.
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√
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Comee on Post roads &c.
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Mr Peck
1“your” changed to “this”

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,