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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 Boston 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.
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.
William Tufts Boston
Saml C. Thacker do
Thomas Campbell do
Edward Stearns do
Wm Palfrey do
Chas Buistwall Sr do
Frederic Crosby Do
John S. Pear do
James Meriam Jr. Billerica
Geo Passavow Boston
Hiram Hackett do
George Wright do.
Elisha Jacobs do
Francis Brown do
E. F. Milliken do
Charles Boardman do
John J Dunham.
E T. Farrington do
Samuel [Bynes?] do
Charles. C. Judson do
James Prince Boston
Asa Tyler do
C Hood Dorchester
Henry K Loring Boston
Frederick R. Robinson Boston
Chas W Lovett.
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Petition of William Tufts & others of Boston for Cheap Postage
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January 10, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post office & Post Roads.
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Post office & Rds
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√
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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,