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24
PETITION FOR CHEAP POSTAGE.
To THE Senate AND House OF Representatives OF THE United States, IN Congress ASSEMBLED:
The undersigned, citizens of the State of Massachusetts, 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.
1 C. H A, Dall G. E. Eaton E. Needham Masstts
2 Caroline W. H Dall. Mathias Mills ""
3 Harriet B. Harris ""
4 J. M. Harris. ""
5 Wm W Mann ""
6 Cynthia Mann ""
7 George Haslett ""
8 Eliza Haslett ""
9 Mary. G. Haslett ""
10 James B Tolman ""
11 Mary A Tolman ""
12 Joshua B Lyon ""
13 Elisha H Lyon ""
14 W H Kingsbury ""
15 E. H. Greenwood ""
16 Chas T Tucker ""
17 G, Otis Kingsbury ""
18 James Smith ""
19 E, A, Colman ""
20 M J Colman ""
21 M Newell ""
22 W Smith ""
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Needham Mass
Feb 9, 1849
Free
Hon Horace MannWashington D.C.
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Petition of C, H A. Dall & 23 others, Inhabitants of Massachusetts, in behalf of Cheap Postage,
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Comtee on Post-Offices & Post-roads,
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Mann of Mass,

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,