A letter written in 1652, by Samuel Symonds of Ipswich, to John
Winthrop, Jr., at Pequot, says: "I cannot say but its besides my
intentions that I write not more frequently unto you; I can onely plead
this for my excuse (soe farr as it will goe) ... and the uncertainty
when and how to convey letters."[1]
[1] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 4th Series, Vol. VII., p. 128.
A glance at the correspondence of that period shows that Mr. Symonds was
not the only one inconvenienced by the "uncertainty when and how to
convey letters." With no domestic postal service the writers of that day
were dependent upon individual bearers and pressed neighbors, relatives,
merchants, sea captains, any and every one whom they could reach, into
the service. Indians were often used as messengers. Roger Williams
writing to John Winthrop, at some time in the '30's, speaks of word "by
this bearer Wequash whome (being a Pequt himselfe) I commended for a
guide in the Pequt expedition;" again, "I pray let your servant direct
the native with this letter;" and at still another time, "From your owne
hand (by Robin Causasenamont)."[2]
[2] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 4th Series, Vol. VI., pp. 242, 256,
276.
John Endicott writes to John Winthrop, April 13, 1638: "Your kinde lines
I receaued by Mascanomet;" and a letter from the Isle of Wight (near
Long Island), dated "Aprill 27, 1650," says, "I resavid yours by the
Indian."[3]
[3] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 4th Series, Vol. VII.
Until 1639 there is no trace of a postal system, but under the
_Massachusetts General Court Records_, of that year[4] (Nov. 5th), is
the following entry: "For preventing the miscarriage of letters, ... It
is ordered that notice bee given, that Richard Fairbanks, his house in
Boston, is the place appointed for all letters, which are brought from
beyond the Seas, or are to be sent thither; ... are to be brought unto
him and he is to take care, that they bee delivered, or sent according
to their directions and hee is alowed for every such letter 1d. and must
answer all miscarriages through his owne neglect in this kind; provided
that no man shall bee compelled to bring his letters thither except hee
please."
[4] _Mass. Colonial Records_, I., p. 281. _Mass. Historical
Collections_, 3d Series, Vol. VII., p. 48.
This action on the part of the Massachusetts General Court was, as far
as can be discovered, the first effort by the colonies to provide a post
office. Eighteen years later, June 12, 1657, an ordinance was passed[5]
by the director general and council of the New Netherlands, forbidding
the boarding of incoming vessels until visited by the governing officer
and the letters delivered, the penalty for evading the law being fixed
at thirty guilders.[6]
[5] Laws and Ordinances of New Netherlands.
[6] Laws and Ordinances of New Netherlands, pp. 379, 380.
Since private shippers were in the habit of taking letters from the New
Netherlands and Curacoa, without placing them in a sealed bag, the
directors of the West India Company, at the chamber in Amsterdam, in
1659 (October 30) adopted a resolution requiring captains of vessels to
enter into bond not to carry letters to Holland from New Netherlands or
Curacoa, unless received from persons authorized to collect them, under
penalty of one hundred Carolus guilders; and on the second of the
following June (1660) the director general and council of the colony
passed an ordinance warning citizens to observe this resolution. A box
was placed in New Amsterdam, in the office of the secretary of the
province, for the receipt of letters, and for all those capable of
registry, three stivers in wampum were to be paid. These movements on
the part of Massachusetts and New Netherlands concerned foreign letters
simply; until 1672 there were apparently no arrangements for the
transmission and delivery of domestic letters. In December of that year,
there was an effort to start a monthly post between New York and Boston,
a project originating with Francis Lovelace, governor of New York. In a
letter to John Winthrop, governor of Connecticut, dated December 27,
1672, he says:[7] "I herewith present you with 2 rarities, a pacquett of
the latest intelligence I could meet withal, and a post ... by the
latter you will meet with a monthly fresh supply; so that if it receive
but the same ardent inclinations as first it hath from myself, by our
monthly advisers all publique occurences may be transmitted between us,
together with severall other great conveniencys of publique importance,
consonant to the commands laid upon us by his sacred majestie, who
strictly enjoins all his American subjects to enter into a close
correspondency with each other ... this person that has undertaken the
employment I conceaved most proper, being voted active, stout and
indefatigable.... I have affixt an annuall sallery on him, which,
together with the advantage of his letters and other small portable
packes, may afford him a handsome livelyhood.... The maile has divers
baggs, according to the towns the letters are designed to, which are all
sealed up 'till their arrivement, with the seal of the secretarie's
office, whose care it is on Saturday night to seale them up. Only
by-letters are in an open bag, to dispense by the wayes.... I shall only
beg of you your furtherance to so universall a good work; that is, to
afford him directions where, and to whom to make his application to upon
his arrival at Boston; as likewise to afford him what letters you can to
establish him in that employment there. It would be much advantageous to
our designe, if in the intervall you discoursed with some of the most
able woodmen, to make out the best and most facile way for a post, which
in processe of tyme would be the king's best highway; as likewise
passages and accommodation at rivers, fords, or other necessary places."
[7] Brodhead, _History of the State of New York_, Vol. II., pp. 196-98.
The first post messenger started from New York, January 22, 1672/3, with
sworn instructions to behave civilly, to inquire of Winthrop how to
form the best post road, and to mark the trees for the direction of
passengers.
To quote from the _Memorial History of New York_:[8] "It is recorded as
creating great excitement in the little village of Harlem, when that
first postman drew up at the tavern door to refresh himself, as he
undoubtedly did, with some good home-brewed Harlem beer--his 'port
mantles' (port manteaux) crammed with 'letters and small portable
goods,' the 'locked box' in the office of the colonial secretary
accumulating the next month's mail, and what he had brought, being
carried to the 'coffee house' to be 'well thumbed' until called for."
Notwithstanding this auspicious beginning, the project fell through,
probably because of the Dutch and other wars of the time, and was not
revived by this colony until 1684, when Thomas Dongan, governor of New
York, and Thomas Treat, governor of Connecticut, conferred concerning a
post between New York and the British colonies as far as Boston.[9]
[8] _Memorial History of N. Y._, Vol. I., pp. 355-56.
[9] Brodhead, _History of N. Y._, Vol. II., p. 413.
In the meantime Massachusetts had taken up the question again,[10] the
general court on January 6, 1673/4, ordering that post messengers, who
had previously received no stated allowance, should thereafter receive
3d. a mile in money and full satisfaction for the expenses of man and
beast.[11]
[10] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d Series, Vol. VII., p. 49.
[11] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d Series, Vol. VII., p. 48.
In 1677 (June 1), further action was taken, the general court, in
response to a petition of sundry merchants of Boston,[12] appointing
John Hayward, scrivener, to "take in and convey letters according to the
direction;" evidently there was more than one candidate, and one account
poetically says of the court's decision: "It Richard May suggested John
Hayward selected." The same year (October 8, 1674), the general court of
Connecticut, meeting at Hartford,[13] gave specific instructions
regarding the allowance for post riders; from Rye to Hartford, 12s. for
the expenses of the horse, and 20s. for those of the man, with the
addition of 8d. from the "midle of October to the last of Aprill," and
the special injunction that "hyred" horses should not be deprived of
their allowance. The number of routes mentioned, twenty-four, shows the
extent of the effort made at that time.
[12] _Mass. Records_, Vol. V., pp. 147, 148.
[13] _Colonial Records of Connecticut_, Vol. II., p. 242.
The next move came from New York, Gov. Dongan's proposition of 1684,[14]
to which reference has already been made, adding to Lovelace's scheme of
a post between New York and Boston, the suggestion that post houses be
established along the coast from Carolina to Nova Scotia. A letter to
him from Sir John Werden (August 27, 1684), whose title to the profits
from the English post office[15] was held to include the British
provinces, approves the project and suggests that the privilege be
offered for three or five years by way of form, with a reservation of
not less than one-tenth of the profits to the duke. Six months later
(February 18, 1684/5), Dongan writes[16] him that he had sent
_permission_ to set up a post house but no _power_ to do it, although
the neighboring colonies much desired it and in some places had
established foot and horse messengers. He adds, "I am going to
Connecticut to-morrow, to do all possible to settle a post office to
Pemaquid this spring and endeavor settlement of post house at Boston."
[14] Brodhead, Vol. I.
[15] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, Vol. III., pp. 349-350.
[16] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, Vol. III., p. 355.
On his return from Connecticut (March 2, 1684/5), the governor ordained
in the New York council,[17] "That for the better correspondence between
the colonies of America, a post office be established; and that the
rates for riding post be per mile three pence; for every single letter,
not above one hundred miles, three pence; if more, proportionably."
[17] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, Vol. III.
A letter[18] from Sir Edmund Andros to John Allyn, dated November 23,
1687, speaks of a contemplated post from Boston to the farthest
settlements of Connecticut, John Perry to go between Hartford, Fairfield
and Stamford once a month in the winter, and every three weeks during
the summer, as Allyn suggests in his answer. A letter from Samuel
Sewall[19] to Samuel Mather, at Windsor, Connecticut, as early as March
6, 1685/6[20], mentions John Perry as bearer and a postage of 3d. That
this project was carried out is evident from the complaint brought
before the council of New York[21] by John Perry, that on his way to
Boston he was laid hold on by warrant from the usurper Leysler, brought
to New York and his letters opened, the apparent object being to destroy
commerce and trade.
[18] _Connecticut Records_, Vol. III., pp. 392, 393, 398.
[19] _Letter Book of Sam. Sewall_, Vol. I., p. 25.
[20] The discrepancy in dates leads to the supposition that John Perry
served as bearer before his actual appointment.
[21] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, Vol. III., p. 682.
June 11th, 1689, the Massachusetts general court[22] appointed Richard
Wilkins, postmaster, to receive all letters and deliver them out at 1d.
each.
[22] _Mass. Provincial Records._
In 1691/2, a new era opened for the colonial post office. On February
7th, of that year, William and Mary, by letters patent, granted[23] to
"Thomas Neale, Esq., his executors, administrators and assignes, full
power and authority to erect, settle and establish within the chief
parts of their majesties' colonies and plantations in America, an office
or offices for the receiving and dispatching letters and pacquets, and
to receive, send and deliver the same under such rates and sums of money
as the planters shall agree to give, and to hold and enjoy the same for
the terme of twenty-one years."
[23] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d series, Vol VII., pp. 50-51.
To govern and manage the general post office,[24] Neale appointed (April
4th, 1692) Andrew Hamilton, an Edinburgh merchant, who in 1685 had
emigrated to New Jersey, and become special agent of the proprietors.
[24] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d series, Vol. VII., p. 51, also
Palfrey's _History of New England_.
On the deposition of Andros in 1689, Hamilton embarked for England to
consult with the proprietors; on the voyage was taken prisoner by the
French, but soon released, and in 1692 was made governor of New Jersey.
Hamilton's application to the colonial legislatures[25] to "ascertain
and establish such rates and terms as should tend to quicker maintenance
of mutual correspondence among all neighboring colonies and plantations
and that trade and commerce might be better preserved," met with a
favorable response from the colonial governments.
[25] Palfrey, IV., p. 329.
He first presented the subject to Governor Fletcher and the New York
legislature.[26] The council, meeting at Fort Wm. Henry, October 29,
1692,[27] after reading his proposition, and also a letter from the
queen to the governor, urging him to assist Hamilton in settling the
office, appointed Colonels Courtlandt and Bayard a committee[28] to
deliver the proposition to the house of representatives, and in November
(1692) the bill was passed by both houses and signed by the governor.
The chief provisions of the bill are as follows:[29] A general letter
office was to be "erected and established in some convenient place
within the city of New York," one master of the general office to be
appointed from time to time by Hamilton, who with his servant or agent
should have the "receiving, taking up, ordering, dispatching, sending
post or with speed and delivery of all letters and pacquets whatsoever,
which shall from time to time be sent to and from all and every of the
adjacent collonies and plantations on the main land and continent of
America or any other of their majesties kingdoms and dominions beyond
the Seas." The postmaster was to "prepare and provide horses and
furniture unto all through posts and persons riding in post." Rates for
single letters to or from Europe, the West Indies or elsewhere to and
from beyond the seas, were 9d., and the same from Boston or Maryland to
New York; from Virginia, 12d., and to or from any place not exceeding
eighty miles from New York, four pence half penny.
[26] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, Vol. IV, p. 200.
[27] _Journal of the Legislative Council of New York_, Vol. I, pp. 26,
31, 32, 34.
[28] _Journal of the Assembly_, pp. 26, 28.
[29] Copied from the original MS. at Albany.
All postmasters were freed from excise and all public services, with the
exception of the postmaster of the city of New York, who was exempt
only from public services. Any persons or "body politick or corporate
others than the P. M. Gen. aforesaid" presuming to "carry, recarry or
deliver letters for hire, other than as before excepted, or to set up or
imploy any foot-post, horse-post or pacquet boat whatsoever" for the
carrying of letters or pacquets, or providing "horses and furniture for
the horses of any through posts, or persons riding post with a guide and
horn," should forfeit L100 current money, one-half going to the governor
and the other half to the postmaster-general. All letters and pacquets
brought by ship or vessel were to be delivered to the postmaster of New
York or to his servants, provided "that no letters going up or coming
down Hudson's river and going to or from Long Island shall be carried to
the post-office, everything herein contained to the contrary
notwithstanding," this clause, together with that regarding exemption
from public service and excise, being amendments by the council to the
bill as presented by the house.
The act was in force for three years,[30] and in 1695 (July 2d and 3d) a
bill was passed for continuing the act three years longer, "every
article,[31] rule and clause therein mentioned to remain in full force
and effect."
[30] _Journal of Legislative Council_, I., pp. 79, 80.
[31] _Journal of the Assembly._
In 1699 (May 5) the act was again continued,[32] this time for two
years, the new bill stating that "the advantage which the inhabitants of
this province daily have, the mutual correspondence which they have with
their neighboring collonies and plantations and for the promoting of
trade and wealth of each other, encourage to the continuance of the
same." In 1702[33] the act coming again before the Assembly and Council
was continued for four and one-half years from 1700; and in 1705[34]
(July 5, 6, 8 and 10, and August 14) it was re-continued for three years
from October, 1704.[35]
[32] _Journal of the Legislative Council_, I., pp. 136, 137, 138, 143.
[33] _Journal Legislative Council_, I., 186, 187, 189.
[34] _Journal of the Assembly_, pp. 154, 226, 227, 234.
[35] _Journal of the Assembly_, pp. 198, 200, 203.
Concerning the passage of this act Lord Cornbury wrote to the Lords of
Trade that it was absolutely necessary; otherwise the post to Boston and
Philadelphia would be lost.[36]
[36] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, IV., pp. 1167-68.
At the meeting[37] of the first session of the eleventh Assembly at Fort
Anne, August 20, 1708, Governor Cornbury in his opening speech said:[38]
"I can't omit putting you in mind that Act for encouraging a Post Office
is expired; that it is of so general Advantage that I hope you will
revive it." The next month (September 3, 7, 10, 13, and 18, 1708) the
act was considered and passed. At a meeting of the council in New
York,[39] June 21, 1709, one of the members was ordered to go to the
assembly and "desire them to provide for and settle a Post from Albany
to Westfield for holding a Correspondence Between Boston and Albany for
the service of the present Expedition the Province of Massachusetts Bay
having already settled a Post from Boston to Westfield;" but action was
not taken before 1715.
[37] _Journal of the Council_, I., p. 247.
[38] _Journal of the Assembly_, 219, 223, 224.
[39] _Journal of the Legislative Council_, I., p. 285.
The letters of this period throw light upon the condition of the post
with regard to regularity and frequency.
The Earl of Bellomont writing from New York[40] to Secretary Popple in
London, May 25, 1698, says: "The sure way of conveying letters to me is
by way of Boston, whence the post comes every week to this place;" and
Lord Cornbury writes to the Lords of Trade,[41] December 12, 1702: "But
I entreat your Lords{pps} to consider that but few ships goe directly
from this port to England, So that I must depend upon the Boston and
Philadelphia posts for conveying my letters to such ships as may be
going to England; and sometimes both these Conveyances faile;" and again
in a letter to the Lords of Trade, June 30, 1704:[42] "I beg your
Lords{pps} to consider likewise the difficulty I lye under, with respect
to opportunity's of writing into England, which is thus--The post that
goes through this place goes Eastward as far as Boston, but Westward he
goes no further than Philadelphia and there is no other post upon all
this Continent, so that I have any letters to send to Virginia or to
Maryland I must either send an Express who is often retarded for want of
boats to cross those great rivers they must go over or else for want of
horses, or else I must send them by some passengers who are going
thither. The least I have known any Express take to go from hence to
Virginia, has been three weeks, so that very often, before I can hear
from Coll: Nicholson what time the fleet will sail and send my packets,
the fleet is sailed. I hope we shall find a way to remedy that shortly,
for Coll: Nicholson and Coll: Seymour have wrote me word that they will
be here in September, and I do then intend to propose to them the
settling of a Post, to go through to Virginia.... I must further
acquaint Your Lords{pps} that our letters do not come safe by the way of
Boston, I have had several letters by that way which have been broken
open."
[40] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, IV., p. 317.
[41] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, IV., p. 1017.
[42] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, Vol. IV., p. 1113.
Cornbury's scheme, as he tells us in another letter to the Lords of
Trade, written November 6, 1704,[43] was to lay a tax in each province
by act of assembly, for defraying the charges of the post, which might
then have gone from Boston to North Carolina, but his failure to meet
the men with whom he proposed to discuss it, thwarted the plan.
[43] _Colonial Documents_, p. 1120.
June 9, 1693, Massachusetts passed in council[44] an act for encouraging
the post office, selecting Boston as the place for the general letter
office, the master to be appointed by Hamilton. Rates to Europe or to
any place beyond the seas, were fixed at 2d., to different places within
the colonies, they varied according to distance; from Boston to Rhode
Island they were 6d., to the Connecticut colonies 9d., to New York 12d.,
to Eastern Pennsylvania or to Western Jersey 15d., and to Maryland or to
Virginia 2s. A fine of 40s. in the current money of the colony, was
imposed upon those who carried or delivered letters without authority,
one-half the fine recurring to their majesties for the support of the
government of the province, and one-half to the postmaster-general for
suing and prosecuting for same. Non-delivery or neglect of maintaining a
constant post was fined 5s., one-half going to their majesties and
one-half to the party aggrieved; the ferryman "neglecting, refusing or
delaying conveyance," also forfeited 5s. The postmaster was to pay the
shipmaster one-half penny for each letter or pacquet brought, but all
letters of public concern for their majesties' service were to be free
of charge.
[44] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d Series, Vol. VII.
That the first few years of the post in Massachusetts were not very
lucrative, is shown by the numerous complaints of grievances and
petitions of Duncan Campbell, appointed by Hamilton deputy
postmaster.[45] The charges are thrice the income, he complains, and
begs that a salary be given, urging the example of the governor and
assembly of New York in voting L50 per annum for the support of the
office in that province. This petition meeting with no response, he
asked for freedom from public rates, taxes and excise for retailing
strong drink, and in 1694 (June 20) obtained a grant of L25 per annum
from the public treasury of the province for two years. In 1696 (May 27)
he petitioned for a renewal of the act encouraging a post office and
also for a continuation of the postmaster's salary. The salary was voted
(July 1, 1696), but no steps taken toward reviving the Post Office Act,
for in 1703 (May 26) John Campbell[46] renewed the petition to the
general court stating that the act had not been in force after 1696, and
praying that since Hamilton was out of purse to the extent of L1,400
restitution might be made by a continuance of the privilege to his
heirs.[47] The same petition was presented to Governor Joseph Dudley and
to the council and representatives in General Assembly two months later
(June 3, 1703), but with no result as far as renewal was concerned. Five
years later (Nov. 3, 1708), a committee was appointed to inquire what
allowance should be made for encouraging the post office, but up to the
time of Queen Anne's Act in 1710 no decision had been reached.
[45] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d Series, Vol. VII., pp. 55-60.
[46] The successor of Duncan and famous as the publisher of the _News
Letter_.
[47] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d Series, Vol. VII., pp. 60, 69.
Campbell's memorandum of 1703 (July 19) is interesting as showing the
cost of maintaining the office between Philadelphia and Piscataqua. The
annual outlay was L680, and the receipts little more than L400, leaving
a deficit of L275.
The Campbells had other grievances.[48] In a petition to the governor,
the council and the assembly, soon after the act of 1693, Duncan begged
that a fine be imposed for failure to deliver letters from ships to the
postmaster. In 1694 the request was repeated, and in answer to this
petition a bill was presented ordering all persons not bringing letters
which ought to be delivered into the post office, to pay four times as
much as was due on the letters, damages to be made good to the party
injured. The house voted in the affirmative May 8, 1694/5, but the
council seems to have taken no action in the matter. In 1696 (May 27)
Campbell sent a similar petition, asking also that the rates on foreign
letters might be advanced from two to three pence, and the payment to
masters of ships from an half penny to 1d., "which," he adds, "will be a
great encouragement to masters not to deliver news to other persons."
[48] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d Series, Vol. VII., pp. 56-60.
In 1703, John Campbell offered a memorial to the general court,
complaining "that every body carrying of letters to and from towns where
post offices are settled, is a very great hindrance and discouragement
to said office," letters from Connecticut colony being carried to
Piscataqua, and after lying in the office there some weeks and months,
at last come to Boston, the office being blamed for the delay without a
cause, and that one-half the letters from Europe and West Indies and
other places by sea, were not brought to the office at all. The ferrymen
also came in for their share of blame, as being very backward in
carrying those employed in the post office, sometimes even demanding
money for ferriage. The petition was granted (July 22, 1703), and L20
for the year past and L40 for the one ensuing allowed to Campbell. Again
in 1706 (April 12 and October 30) L50 was granted to him. In 1709
(November 18) he wrote to the Governor that six months after his
appointment by Hamilton in 1701, he had represented to the General
Assembly that he could not serve, since the salary was so small, and two
members of the upper house had then suggested a salary of L40, which,
reduced by the vote of the lower house to L20, had been paid until
within three years. He recalled the fact that the post office saved the
country above L150 per annum, which it would be obliged to pay for
express, if there were no office. The public letters, passed free, had
cost more than the postmaster's allowance, besides the charge of sending
the governor's letters weekly to Roxbury "in times of snow or rain." The
queen, unwilling to augment the charge of the office to what it was in
Hamilton's time, was then at above L200 sterling charges yearly, to
support it between New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, and if the several
offices had half salary allowed them, it would cost her majesty L100
sterling more. Accordingly he thought it but just that public letters
for the time past should be paid for, the postmaster recompensed for
sending the governor's letters to Roxbury, and some provision made for
conveying them in the future. Otherwise, he would be obliged to
represent the case to the postmaster-general of Great Britain, which he
had foreborne to do, hoping that the general court would prevent it.
The council took no cognizance of the petition, as we learn from its
renewal in 1711.[49]
[49] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d Series, Vol. VII., p. 80.
The action of New Hampshire relative to a post, occurred at about the
same time as that of Massachusetts. John Usher,[50] writing to the New
Hampshire council, from Boston, March 25, 1693, said that the
postmaster-general in Boston was desirous of knowing what salary would
be allowed or how much a letter for a post from Piscataqua to Boston,
adding that it might be an advantage to gain news from England and the
West Indies, and that they would like a post weekly or once in two
weeks. The council (March 27, 1693) was of the opinion[51] that a post
was necessary, and that there should be an allowance per letter,
according to other places in like circumstances, proportionate to the
distance from Boston, "Every one to pay for his own Lett{r}." A
record[52] in the "Journal of the Council and Assembly" of July 29,
1693, says: "Maj. Vaughan and Mr. Waldron were appointed to prepare and
drawe up a Bill for settling a Post Office in this Province," and on the
fourth of August the council concurred with the bill which had been
passed by the lower house.
[50] _N. H. Provincial Papers_, Vol. II., p. 100.
[51] _N. H. Provincial Papers_, Vol. II., p. 101.
[52] _N. H. Provincial Papers_, Vol. III., p. 11.
It was enacted that[53] "a Poste Office and officers be henceforth
appointed and settled in some Convenient place within the Towne of
Portsmouth for Receiveing & dispatching awaye according to direction all
letters and packetts that shall be brought thereinto & no Person or
Persons whatsoever shall presume to Carry or recarry any letter or
letters for hire but only such as belongs to the Poste Office dureing
their power and authority from the aforesaid Thos. Nele Except such
letters of Merchants and Masters which shall be sent by any Master of
any Ship Boat or other vessel of Merchandise or by any other Person
employed by them for the carrying of such letters aforesaid According to
the Respective Direction And also Except letters to be sent by any
private friend or friends in their way of Journey or Travill or by any
Messenger or Messengers sent on purpose for or concerning the private
affaires of any Person or Persons." Whoever offended against this Act
should "forfeit the sum of ten pounds one halfe to their Majesties
Towards the support of the Governor of this province The other halfe to
the Postmaster Genrl." All "Letters & Packetts" were to be delivered by
the importer at the post house or to the post officer, receiving in
return a half-penny for each, the person to whom directed paying two
pence for each letter, and for a "Packett no lesse than 3 letters
besides Bills Loading Invoyces Gazette etc four pence. And for each
letter brought from Boston in to this Province not exceeding five pence
and Doble for a Packett and so proportionately for Letters on this sid
Boston shall be paid with the customary allowance in the Government from
whense they come." Neglect of duty in keeping constant post or in
delivering letters was punishable by a fine of L5, "The one halfe to
their Majesties the other halfe to the party agreved." All letters
concerning their majesties' service were to be received and dispatched
with all possible speed free from charge. It was "further enacted and
ordained that the officer of the Post House haveing Licence granted to
Retaile Beer Sider & Ale within Doors according to Law shall have his
Excise free and no officer of the Excise shall demand anything of him
for the same and his Person to be excused from watching and warding."
The foregoing Act was to continue in force for three years from the
publication, but in 1694 (May 12th), an additional act for the
encouragement of the post office was passed,[54] since "notwithstanding
a late act for the Setling a Poste Office within this Province Sundrie
Letters are brought by ships and other vessell a longe shore to the
Prejudice of those who are at the charge of keeping a poste goeing once
a week by land." It was "Enacted by the Liet. Governor Counsill &
Representatives convened in Genl. Assembly" that thereafter all masters
of sloops or other vessels arriving within the Province should deliver
all letters brought in by them, except such as concerned the loading of
their vessels, to the collector or other post officer to be carried
"with all convenient speed" to the post house.
[53] Copied from the original, also in _Hist. Magazine_, Vol. III., p.
351.
[54] _N. H. Provincial Papers_, Vol. III., p. 18.
The next year (May 21, 1695), a petition from Campbell for encouraging
the post office, was answered by a bill settling a salary of L12 for the
ensuing year.[55] In 1698[56] (April 7th) another petition from Campbell
for continuing the support of the post office was read in the council
and sent to the assembly, but returned without their allowing anything.
July 2d, 1703, a committee of both houses was appointed to consider the
petition of John Campbell, Duncan's successor, and in February (8th),
1703/4, L21 4s. was voted.
[55] _N. H. Provincial Papers_, Vol. III., p. 30.
[56] _N. H. Provincial Papers_, Vol. III., pp. 61, 248, 257, 279.
A year later[57] (May 3d, 1705) the council and General Assembly voted
to pay L6 out of the next provincial rate, to Campbell for his
"extraordinary Service in forwarding his Excellency's and Government
letters for her Majesty's service relating to this province;" again in
1707 (April 8th) he was granted[58] L6 out of the treasury, and in 1708
(May 6th) another L6 for "diligent care of expresses and letters."
[57] _N. H. Provincial Papers_, Vol. III., p. 304.
[58] _N. H. Provincial Papers_, Vol. III., p. 343.
The first entry in the Colonial Records of Rhode Island[59] regarding a
post is in 1774.
[59] _Colonial Records of Rhode Island._
Connecticut's earliest efforts toward the establishment of a post have
already been mentioned in connection with New York and Massachusetts. On
May 10th, 1694, the court of election at Hartford passed the following
Act for the encouragement of a post office.[60]
[60] _Colonial Records of Connecticut_, Vol. IV., p. 123.
"Whereas their most excelent Ma{ties} King W{m} and Queen Mary by their
letters pattents have granted a Post Office to be set up in these partes
of N. E. for the receiving and disspatching of letters and pacquetts
from one place to another for their Ma{ties} speciall service and the
benefit of theire Ma{ties} good Subjects in these parts. This court
being willing to encourage so good a worke, doe order and enact that all
such persons as shall be imployed by the Post Master Gen. in the
severall stages within this Colony of Connecticut shall and may pass and
repasse all and every ferry within this Colony, from the day of the date
hereof for and during this courts pleasure, without payeing any rate or
sume of money either for his own or horses passage."
May, 1698,[61] in response to a complaint that posts and other
travellers met with great difficulty in journeying through the colony,
especially in the township of Stonington, the court ordered the
selectmen to lay out convenient highways, kept cleared and open, unless
they passed through ancient common fields, or the general or county
court ordered otherwise, and "made good with sufficient causeis and
bridges as need shall require," failure to observe these instructions to
be punished by a fine of L10 into the public treasury, and for a
continuance of the offence by an annual fine of L10 to be levied upon
the selectment or inhabitants.
[61] _Colonial Records_, Vol. IV., p. 246-47.
In May, 1704,[62] the general court decreed that since the post was
often impeded, "in cases extraordinarie the authoritie may grant a bill
to the Constables for the defraying of such charges as are really
necessary."
[62] _Colonial Records_, Vol. IV., p. 468.
Watson,[63] in his _Annals of Philadelphia_, bases on MSS. in the
possession of the Pemberton family, his statement that as early as July,
1683, a weekly post was established by order of William Penn and a grant
given to a certain Henry Waldy of Tekonay to hold one, and "supply
passengers with horses from Philadelphia to New Castle or the Falls of
the Delaware; the rates from the Falls to Philadelphia 3d., to Chester
5d., to New Castle 7d., to Maryland 9d., and from Philadelphia to
Chester 2d., to New Castle 4d., to Maryland 6d." Winsor, in the
_Narrative and Critical History_, adds that the notices of the departure
of the post were put on the meeting-house doors and in other public
places.
[63] Watson, Vol. II., p. 391. Winsor, _Narrative and Critical History_,
Vol. III., p. 491. _Historical Magazine_, Vol. III., p. 221.
The same year (1683)[64] a law was passed at Philadelphia directing the
way in which official letters should be dispatched, in order that the
governor might obtain "true and speedy information regarding public
affairs, as well from Europe as the neighboring colonies and remote
parts of this province and territories thereof." "Be it Enacted by the
authority aforesaid, That every Justice of the Peace, Sheriff or
Constable within the respective counties of this province and
territories thereof, to whose hands or knowledge any Letter or Letters
shall come, directed to or from the governor, shall dispatch them,
within 3 hours at the farthest, after the receipt or knowledge thereof,
to the next Sheriff or Constable, and so forwards, as the Letter
directs, upon the penalty of 20s. for every hour's delay. And in such
cases, all Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs or Constables are hereby
empowered to press either man or horse for that service, allowing for a
horse or man, 2 pence by the mile, to be paid out of the public stock."
[64] _Historical Magazine_, Vol. III., p. 223.
September 5th, 1700, Penn writes to Logan that he sends a package for
Governor Blackeston[65] to be forwarded to the sheriff of New Castle,
showing that the custom was in vogue seventeen years after its origin.
[65] _Penn and Logan Correspondence._
The _Duke of Yorke's Laws_[66] under the laws made and passed by
Benjamin Fletcher, governor of Pennsylvania, and the council and
representatives, May 15th and June 1st, 1693, records one for the
erection of a post office in Philadelphia by Andrew Hamilton, "from
whence all letters & packets may be with all expedition sent into any of
the parts of New England and other adjacent colonies in these parts of
America, at which said office all returns and answers may be received."
Andrew Hamilton, or some other postmaster-general appointed by the king,
was to demand and receive postage according to the following rates:
single foreign letters 2d., and each packet 4d.; letters sent from
Philadelphia to New York 4d. half penny, to Connecticut 9d., to Rhode
Island 12d., to Boston 15d., to points beyond Boston 19d., to Maryland
and Virginia 9d., and to every place within eighty miles of Philadelphia
4d. half penny. If foreign letters were left forty-eight hours uncalled
for, they were to be delivered and one penny more for each demanded from
receiver. Public letters were to go post free; ferriage was to be free
for all, and constant posts were to be maintained from Philadelphia to
New York and New Castle.
[66] _Duke of Yorke's Laws_, p. 224.
At an assembly held at Philadelphia,[67] May 20th, 1697, Joseph Growden,
"chairman of the grand comittee appointed to consider of Andrew
Hamilton's memorial for encouragement to support the post," reported
"that it was the vote of the comittee that a bill be prepared for
encouragement to support the post both by the publick and upon private
letters."
[67] _Pennsylvania Colonial Records_, Vol. I., p. 524.
Since the charge of the office had much exceeded the postage,[68] the
assembly, "being sensible of the benefit of the said office to trade and
commerce, and to the province and territories in general if it be
continued, and of the great loss that will happen to both if it should
happen to fall for want of encouragement," it was voted that the rates
be raised on foreign letters received from 2d. to 4d., on those sent
from Philadelphia to New York from 4-1/2d. to 8d., and other rates
proportionately. Hamilton was to receive L20 in the silver money of the
province from the public treasury annually for three years, the period
during which the law was to be in force.
[68] _Duke of Yorke's Laws_, p. 262.