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PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
To THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED:
The undersigned, citizens of Seneca County New York 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 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.
Rufus Murray Seneca Falls N.Y.
J. Martin W. Honett
Whiting Race
George Stecher
H. H. Heath
Charles Pixley
J Sanderson
A. O. Woodworth J. C. Woodworth
S. D. Watson C. B. Keeler
H. B. Payne
J Chesley
Silas. Keeler
C. B. Latham
H Henion Daniel Rogers
Wm Langworthy H W Seymour
John W Wheeler M. H. Foster
Sidney [?] Bennett John Fitch
Joseph [Haspert?]
Geo. A. Van Cleef
M. S. Bellows James R Conklin
S. D Tillman Wm A. Crawfol
J Sackett Jacob Crouninshield
Edwd Mynderse O. G. Judd
D. C. Bloomer
Burroughs Roberts Francis McConnell
John McConnell G. H. McClary
W H King Chas D. Mynderse
Walton Jones Washburn Race
S. G. Armstrong Chs H. Hale
D B Lum
E. S. Latham Henry Graham
F J Swaby Orman Wicks
Aaron. Whitney J. L. Beebe
C N May
Ellison Norcott H Henion
H. C. Silsby John [?]
James Smith Alfred Wilcoxen
Jas S. [Shethay?] J S. Turner
Robert B. Perry
E Crouch Horace P. Bogue
W Bunn
Jacob F. Cock
Owen McConnel
John Murphy
J W Smith
E. H. Crane 74
L. B. Baldy
Jacob Lund
Hon E Blackmar
Der Sir Please Present this Petition and much oblige
Yours &cH Henion
Seneca Falls
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N. York
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Petition of 74 citizens of Seneca County New York, asking the reduction of postage & the abolition of the franking privilege
Presented by Mr Blackmar
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February 10, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office and 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,