To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in Congress Assembled
The undersigned citizens of ^Freeport—Stephenson County Illinois—^ 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 if the postage is not prepaid.
2. Newspapers, periodicals and all printed matter, one cent per sheet, but newspapers
of a 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, so that postage may be paid on everything
sent by the mails. Postage of members of Congress to be paid as their own expenses,
and post-masters to be remunerated for the loss of the franking priv[I]lege and the temporary diminution of their income, by an increase of their commissions.
| William S. Goodhue | A. W. Rawson |
| William M Buckley | Jno. H. Stout. |
| Benja T. Buckley | Orsamus Barnes |
| James Van Dusen | R. T. Wilkins |
| James McKee | |
| John Walters | |
| Daniel Walters |
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Ill.
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The Petition of Wm
F Goodhue and other citizens of Stephenson Co Ill praying for a reduction in the rates
of Postage
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January 30, 1849. Referred to the Committee on the Post office and Post Roads.
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Refferred to the com on Post Office & Post Roads
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Thos
J Turner
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√
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