PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
To THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED:The undersigned, citizens of the Cities of Brooklyn & New york in the state of New york
respectfully petition Congress to pass a law, establishing
1. A uniform rate of Two Cents on letters weighing half an ounce, and two cents for every additional half ounce,
prepaid, and double that rate if not prepaid.
2. Newspapers, periodicals, and all printed matter, one cent per sheet, prepaid; but newspapers of the smaller size half a cent. ^to be prepaid except newspapers & 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 [priv]ilege and the temporary diminution of their income, by an increase of their commissions.
| NAMES. | PLACE OF RESIDENCE. |
| E. A. Youngs | Brooklyn L I |
| John D Winslow | do. |
| James Conway | do. |
| John F. Fish | do. |
| Thomas S. Drowne | Do. |
| [?] | New york. |
| Geo R. Conner | " |
| Ferdinand N Massa | " |
| E E Nelson | |
| E Bowman Miner. | |
| R W Davis | |
| J [Shirley?] | Brooklyn |
| R [Davis?] |
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Petition of E. A. Youngs & 12 other citizens of Brooklyn & New York praying a reduction
of the rates of postage & abolition of the franking privilege
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Presented by Mr [?] Feby 3. 1849
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February 3. 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office & Post Roads
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Refd to Com: on Post Offices & Post Roads
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