PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
To THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED:
The undersigned, citizens of Pembroke Massachusettsrespectfully 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.
Morrill Allen Pembroke Massachusetts
Preserved [Smith?] "" ""
Martin Bryant "" ""
Haviland Torrey "" ""
Hannah Allen "" ""
Martha Jane Allen "" ""
C. C. D. King Norton ""
Fidelia Smith Pembroke ""
F. White "" ""
David Oldham "" ""
Horace Collamore "" ""
Ezekiel Bemis "" ""
Silas Morton "" ""
Nathaniel Lewis "" ""
Thomas Blackman "" ""
Joseph R Shepherd "" ""
Seyman Ford "" ""
Luther Turner "" ""
"" ""
Samuel Mcfarlen "" ""
Otis Mcfarlen "" ""
Barker Baker "" ""
Alden Howard "" ""
Nathaniel T Lewis "" ""
George C Barker

<Page 2>
Names Place of Residence
James H. Whitman Pembroke Mass.
Elisabeth Whitman "
Caroline Whitman "
Frances G. Whitman "
Harriet B. Whitman "
Eliza Howland "
Hannah E. Sylvester North Bridgwater
Peter Salmand Pembroke. Mass.
Abigail Salmand "" "
Sophia B Salmand "" "
Mary P Salmand "" ""
Wealthy Little "" ""
Arabella Collamore "" ""
Robert Barker "" ""
Mary C Barker "" ""
John M. Damon "" ""
Ambrose Parris
Mahala Parris
John Barker
Seth Whitman Jr
Mary Y. Whitman
Thomas T Whitman
Rebecca Whitman
Susan E Barker
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Mass
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Petition of Morrill Allen & others ^Pembroke^ for a system of Cheap Postage & the abolition of the franking privilege
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January 29, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office & Post Roads.
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Come on Post Offices &c
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(4 pets)
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A. Hale

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,