The Sun.
London, England, 1853-11-02 00:00:00

NEW PENNY RECEIPT AND DRAFT STAMPS.

The following correspondence, in reference to the New
Stamp Act, will be found serviceable to all engaged in
mercantile transactions :

"TO THOMAS KEOGH, ESQ., INLAND REVENUE, SOMER.

SET-HOUSE.

" Union-road, Plymouth, Oct. 18, 1853.
" Sir,--There is a great deal of misunderstanding
about the New Stamp Act, and I should feel much
obliged if you would kindly reply to the following
queries :—lf I receive a promissory note at thirty days,
two or three months, or a banker's draft at seven or
fourteen days, am I obliged to give a stamped receipt
for the amount ? Are railway companies obliged to
give stamped receipts for fares above 405., received in
cash over the counter at the station ? Are auctioneers
compelled to give stamped receipts for amounts above
405., for goods purchased at auctions ? Are farmers and
cattle-dealers obliged to give stamped receipts for corn
and cattle sold at fairs and markets ?

" Is it necessary to give a stamped receipt for moneys
paid on account of a bill delivered, not actually settled,
or is a stamped receipt merely necessary at the settle-
ment of the account ? Are tradesmen obliged to give
stamped receipts for goods sold over the counter, such
as grocers, drapers, &c. ?
"Drafts on Demand.—Can one merchant draw a
draft on another merchant for the amount of an account
without passing through a banker, provided the penny
stamp is attached thereto, and if so, will an acknow-
ledgment on the back of the draft to be a legal receipt ?
" I have seen some cheques with postage stamps and
receipt stamps on them, but I imagine that neither of
these are valid, and I presume that the proper draft on
demand' stamps must be on these to order' cheques.
" Trusting you will kindly answer the above queries,
" I have the honour to remain, sir,
," Your obedient servant,
" WlLLuat E. RENDLE."

"TO THOMAS KEOGH, ESQ., INLAND REVENUE, SOMERSET-

HOUSE.

" Union.road, Plymouth, Oct. 21, 1853.
" Sir--I am sorry to trouble you with these additional
queries, but trust that you will reply to them at your
convenience.

"According to an old act of Parliament, I believe it
was enacted that if a letter was sent through the Post-
office, acknowledging the receipt of money, it was held
to be a legal receipt. Has this law been repealed or
not, and if not, how does it affect the new law ?
" If I draw a draft on demand to order on a stamped
form, will a receipt given on the back be a sufficient
legal receipt ?

An answer to the above at your convenience will
much oblige, sir, your obedient servant,
" WILLIAM E. RENDLE."

" Inland Revenue, Somerset House, London,
Oct. 27, 1853.
" Sir,—ln answer to the questions submitted in your
letter of the 18th inst., I am directed to acquaint you
that if a receipt be given for a demand satisfied by means
of a bill or note of any description, it must be on a
stamp ; and if receipts be given in any of the cases men-
tioned by you, they must be on stamps ; but there is
nothing in the Stamp Act imposing an obligation on the
person receiving money, in any case, to give a receipt
unless he be required to do so by the person making the
payment.
" A draft to bearer or order on demand may be drawn
on any person with a penny stamp, and a receipt for the
contents when paid may be written on the back without
a receipt stamp. No other than the stamp provided for
the particular description of document can be used. A
draft stamp cannot be used for receipt, nor a receipt
stamp for a draft, and a postage stamp is good for
neither.
" A receipt may be given on the back of a duly-
stamped draft for its contents.
" I am, sir, your obedient servant,
" THOMAS KEOGH.
"To Mr. William E, Rendle, seed-merchant, Plymouth."