The undersigned clerks in the Post office at Wheeling Va would most respectfully ask your attention to the operation of an amendment to the Post office laws of the last session of Congress by which their compensation (already too small) was reduced too low for the laborious duties of the office,

The Eastern mail arrives at 8 OClock PM and the western at half past 4 oClock A M and have to be promptly distributed It is well known that the paper distribution of this office is heavier than any other office in the Union for which there is no allowance except the commission on the letter distribution and the delivery which is greatly reduced since the reduction of postage and too small to compensate competent clerks, as will be evident when your petitioners inform you that the highest salary of the last quarter ending on the 31^st Day of December 1847 was only $122 ³⁴/100. The delivery at this place being small comparatively with the distribution, the contemplated change in the commission and the delivery would not be a sufficient compensation for the increased duties of the office

Under these considerations your petitioners would most confidentially appeal to your Honorable body to pass an act allowing the defiency of the former salary since the said act took effect and also fixing their salaries proportionate to the heavy labours which they have to perform. In doing so you will perform and act of Justice as well as promoting the public interest for which your petioners will be impressed with a due sense of gratitude