PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
To THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED: The undersigned, citizens of the towns of Cambridge & White Creek, Wash Co. NY.
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. |
| Noah Fowler | Cambridge Wash[?] Co. N.Y. |
| J R Twiss | "" |
| E Wright | """" |
| E W. Brownell | "" |
| Matthew Coonell | White Creek |
| J A Odekirk | Do"" |
| J W Odekirk | "" |
| Zirah Odekirk | "" |
| E. M. Rood | "" |
| Austin Wells | "" |
| LaFayette Rich | "" |
| P. Fowler | Cambridge |
| Henry Herrington | White Creek |
| Waterman Doha | "" |
| Alonzo G Fowler | Cambridge |
| David P Ford | "" |
| Russell G Eddy | Easton |
| Daniel Welling | Easton |
| Martin R Kinyon | Cambridge |
| A Ingraham | do |
| David Pratt | Do |
| Abel S. Webb | "Do" |
| William. M. Webb | Cambridge |
| [?]onah Rider | North White Creek |
| Arnold Herrington | |
| Amon T A Fowler | White Creek |
| Terah Rider Jr | Cambridge |
| Thomas F. Connell | White Creek |
| C. Cornell | " |
| P. Webb | Cambridge |
| R Fowler | " |
| S. Rider | White Creek |
| C. Pratt | Cambridge |
| Wm G. McClellan | " |
| Alex Bulliens | " |
| Joseph [?]g | |
| B. Bininger | |
| Cyrus R Hanks | |
| James Fortt | |
| Oliver Shedy | "" |
| Thomas J Sheo | |
| Jno H. Moore | "' |
| Edward Lono | Cambridge |
| David Lono | "" |
| Berry Long | " |
| Franklin Long | " |
| Eli Barton Jr | White Creek |
| S. Smith | " |
| R. M. Fowler | Cambridge |
| Wm A. Fowler | " |
The above petitioners a few of my neighbours to which I have presented the above petition
have freely given their signatures praying that you will present it before Congress
& use your influence & utmost endeavours to have such a law pass or at least a reduction
of Postage & a close restriction of the franking Privilege
I am of the opinion (though I have but a few names here) that there are ninety nine
hundredths 99/100 of our whole community who are in favour of a thorough remodelling of the post office
laws.
Yours respectfullyNoah Fowler<Page 2>
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N.Y.
Petition of citizens of Washington Co N.Y. for a Reduction of postage
Petition of citizens of Washington Co N.Y. for a Reduction of postage
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February 19, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads.
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√
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Kellogg
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petio—By Mr O. Kellogg
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refered 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