PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED:
The undersigned, citizens of 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.
Rev. M H Gaylord Oswego. Co. N. York
Mrs Jane Gaylord Do""
Cornelius Ketcham Do
Caroline Ketcham Do
James M Sheffel Do
Cornelia Sheffel "
Saml H Gibbs "
Mary Gibbs "
Alexander McInroy "
Rhoda McInroy "
Sarah Cox "
Wm H McInroy "
Obed Perkins "
J Arden "
Richard Stark "
Wm J Stark "
Byron Farnham "
Richard Dunbar "
John Hickey Cauga Ct
Francis Nevill Oswego
John [Leroy?] "
Peter Myers "
Charles Arden "
Js. Skelton M D "
Thos Van Auken "
Alva. Gillet "
Thos Skelton " Post Master
A. C. Bent "
H Follett. "
John L Kip
Geoge [?]
Ansel Frost
Flavel Fox
Meritt. D. Potter
J W. Armstrong
Wm M[?]
Solomon Cownsell
Nathaniel Bunnel
Mary Fox
[?] Fox
Hon. SirI forward you this petition which was forwarded to me from N. Y. To obtain Signatu[res] for [...?] cheap postage Or rather for its reduction. On the account of other pressing duties I have not been able to spend much time in geting Signatures; yet as far as I have gone the people have express but one opinion upon this Subject
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: that is to reduce the rate on1 letter postage and do away the franking privilege. I have no doubt but the people in this (Hannible) Town concur with the sentiment express in this petion. Hence Sir, your earnest attention to this subject is requested. And Oblige your constiuents &cHon. Mr Duer
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N.Y.
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Petition of Citizens of Oswego & Cayuga Counties N. York praying for a reduction on the rates of postage
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Presented by Mr Duer
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February 5, 1849
Refer to Committee on the Post Offices & Post roads
1“of” changed to “on”

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,