Lewes.
_Edmund Prideaux, and the First Post-office._--Polwhele, in his _History of
Cornwall_, says, p. 139.:
"To our countryman Edmund Prideaux we owe the regular establishment of
the Post-office."
{187}
He says again, p. 144.:
"Edmund Prideaux, Attorney-General to Oliver Cromwell, and _Inventor_ of
the Post-office."
Now the Edmund spoken of as Attorney-General, was of Ford Abbey, in
Devonshire, and second son of Sir Edmund Prideaux, of Netherton, in the
said county, therefore could not be one of the Cornish branch.
Query No. 1. Who was the Edmund Prideaux, his countryman, that regularly
established the Post-office?
Query No. 2. How were letters circulated before his time?
Query No. 3. Was Edmund Prideaux the Attorney-General, the inventor of the
Post-office, as he states; if not, who was?
Query No. 4. Has any life of Edmund Prideaux as Attorney-General been
published, or is any account of him to be found in any work?