PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
To THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED:
The undersigned, citizens of
Boston, Mass.
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 when sent from the office of publication.
3. To reduce the postage on letters and newspapers by mail packet 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. |
| Charles Williams | Boston |
| Abraham Wood | " |
| G Greenleaf Jr | " |
| H. W. Bigdow | " |
| E. F. Wood | " |
| H. Sunders. | do |
| A G. Pickering | |
| E Hayward | " |
| H. Hamilton | " |
| H. B. Wellington | " |
| Josiah P[?]ham Jr | " |
| John M C[?] | " |
| C. Augustus. Wood | " |
| B. N. Mann | " |
| Edward Golding | " |
| A. S. Washburn | " |
| James Bates | " |
| E. T. Cooper | " |
| I. S. Sewall | " |
| Charles Morey | " |
| Benjamin. Bailey | " |
| Charles S. Titcomb. | " |
| John Forrest | " |
| Thomas Keating | " |
| E. Haskins | " |
| F. Haskins. | " |
| F. A. Foxcroft. | " |
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Hon. Robert C. Winthrop,Dear Sir,The within named Constituents of yours, twenty seven in number, respectfully request,
that you will have the kindness to present their petition to Congress, & use your
influence to carry through this measure at the present session.
Boston, January 24th 1849.[?]ON [?]JAN 25
FREE
To The
Hon. Robert C. Winthrop
Washington, D. C.
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Mass
The Petition of Charles Williams & twenty seven others of Boston for Cheap Postage
The Petition of Charles Williams & twenty seven others of Boston for Cheap Postage
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January 29, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post office and Post Roads
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√
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Post offices & Roads
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Mr Speaker
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