PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
To THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED: The undersigned, citizens of Stockbridge Madison Co. N.Y.
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 entirely1, 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. |
| Isaac Parks | Stockbridge, Mad. Co. N.Y. |
| F. Park | DoDo |
| David Wood | "" |
| John Potter | "" |
| Alvin Strong 2d | "" |
| David Walker | "" |
| Dewit Sweet | |
| Reuben Holman | |
| Lyman Hodges | |
| Warren Strong | |
| Andrew Eaton | |
| S C. Eaton | |
| J. E Wood | |
| H. H. Lyman | |
| R. B. Percival | |
| S M Coburn | |
| John P. Carver | |
| A. P. Root | |
| D L Wooster | DoDo |
| Ones Ranney | "" |
| O. Potter | |
| J Mack | "" |
| Horace Dexter | |
| D. J. Merrell | |
| J Anthony Frost | |
| J Quacker Cash | |
| J M Foreman | |
| G. E. Cleavland. | "" |
| A.. Davidson.. | "" |
| Henry. T. Sumner Jr | "" |
| Charles Dewey | "" |
| Renselaer Coe | "" |
| Charles Buttrick | "" |
| LaFayette Kimball | "" |
| James J. Mack | "" |
| "" | |
| R O Richardson | "" |
| J M Cob[?] | "" |
| "" | |
| J. M. Vosburgh | ' |
| W Carver | |
| H A Smith | |
| J. Cleavland, jun, | |
| [ |
|
| William Temple | |
| A. M. Warrin | |
| D. Henry Frost. |
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Madison Co. N.Y.
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Petition of Isaac Parks & others citizens of Madison Co N. York praying for a reduction
in the rates of postage
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February 22, 1849 Referred to the Committee on the Post office & Post Roads
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Mr Duer
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√
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Refer 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