Petition for Cheap Postage.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled:The undersigned, citizens of the county of Seneca 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 pre-paid; and double that rate if not pre-paid.
2. Newspapers, periodicals and all printed matter one cent per sheet pre paid, but
newspapers of the smaller size half a cent.
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 privelege 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 Post Masters to be remunerated for the loss of the franking privelege, and the
Tempor^ar^y diminution of their income by an increase of their commissions.
Dated WaterlooJanuary 19th 1849.
| Harvey Deuel | J T Deuel |
| Joseph Tobey | H Van Tuyl |
| Joseph M Deuel | C Merrill Jn |
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| Joel Cosad | Jesse Fifich |
| J [J?] C. Stuart | C. B. Hutchinson |
| n. Merrill | |
| John Lowden | James. C. Hempsted |
| G. Childs | Decatur Miller |
| J G Schryver | |
| Thos Burroughs | John W Sherman |
| Burroughs Roberts | |
| Asel Lundy | James Johnson |
| M. M. Mercer | Saml Sawyer |
| Rod M Draper | Abram Miller |
| T W Bacon | Saml H. Gridley |
| E. N. Macky | Solon Keyes |
| B Skaats | |
| William [Defoe?] | |
| Jesse [?] | |
| Wm Magee | |
| James McLean | |
| Daniel [Kerry?] | |
| A R Norton | |
| Richard Latson | |
| J. G. Halsted | |
| S M. Andrews | |
| Charls. T. [Freebody?] | |
| A A Baldwin | |
| J G Smith | |
| A [Parker?] | |
| J. P. Edwards | |
| Wm Mills | |
| Chas R. Wattkins | |
| Jos Warren Leslie | |
| Joseph Hall | |
| Jacob L Marshall | |
| S. M. Cook | |
| Gilbert Dey | |
| G G. W. Perrine |
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Hon. Esbon BlackmarM. C.Washington D.C.[ docketing
]
N.Y.
[ docketing
]
Petition of 52 citizens of Seneca County N York asking the reduction of postage and
the abolition of the franking privilege
Prsnted by Mr Blackmar
Prsnted by Mr Blackmar
[ docketing
]
February 19, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post Office & Post Roads.
[ docketing
]
√
Handwritten Document Signed, 4 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,