The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-03-23 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

MERCANTILE COMMITTEE ON POSTAGE

( From the Post Circular.)
An association of gentlemen of the first commercial eminence
in London, has been formed, bearing this title. Their object
will be best understood from a pamphlet which they have issued
very diffusely throughout the kingdom. From this parciphlet
the following extracts are taken.

•
SUGGESTIONS
As to Pacts which it is desirable to collect, and upon which Parties
having information to give are requested to communicate to the
Mercantile Committee on Postage, 6, Freeman's-court, Corn-

The House of Commons' Committee now sitting is ap-
pointed—
"To inquire into the present rates and mode of charging
postage, with a view to such a reduction thereof as may be
made without injury to the Revenue; and for this purpose to
examine specially into the mode recommended for charging and
collecting postage, in a pamphlet published by Mr. Rowland
Hill."

The members of the committee are, Mr. Wallace (Chairman),
Mr. Poulett Thompson, Lord Vise. Lowther, Lord Seymour,
Mr. Warburton, Sir Thomas Freemantle, Mr. Raikes Currie,
Mr Morgan John O'Connell, Mr, Thornelv, Mr. Chalmers,
Mr. Pease, Mr. Mahony, Mr. Parker (Sheffield), Mr. George
William Wool, and Mr. Villiers.
The proposal advocated by Mr. Hill is.—
That all letters not weighing more than half an ounce be
charged one penny, and heavier packets an additional penny,
for each half-ounce to a platter of a pound, to be paid in ad-
vance.

It is desirable to show to the Parliamentary Committee that
the Revenue would not suffer BY ALLOWING THE WHOLE OF
THE REDUCTION PROPOSED BY Mr. HILL.
The average of the present postage (taking all chargeable
letters) is sixpence halfpenny per letter.
The average cost of the actual carriage to any post-town in
Great Britain is about one-tenth of a penny; and even allowing
the whole present cost of the Post-office establishment, the tax
is above 200 per cent. : a rate of tax which experience has de-
monstrated always produces an evasion of the law.
No law is so extensively evaded as this; and so general has
the practice become, that even the best-regulated minds do not
think they are committing offence by violating it.
It is proposed to call witnesses to prove—
The great extent to which the practice of violating the law by
the irregular conveyance of etters and evading postage is carried,
and to give evidence of those modes, taking care to protect
parties who may furnish this testimony.
That this correspondence, if the reduction be made, would
immediately be transferred to the Post-office.
In addition to the very great increase in the number of letters
which would thus be transferred to the lawful channel, and to
changing the habit of breaking, into the habit of OBEYING the
law, it is proposed to show—
That reducing the postage upon all communications under
-half an ounce to one penny, would produce an immense increase
to the Post-office revenue; and, by the increase of business,
lead to a great augmentation of the general revenue.
It is known to all commercial men that correspondence cre-
ates business, and that business re-acts, and again produces cor•
respondence, and involves of necessity, a consumption of articles
which increases the general revenue.
As instances of direct increase in the number of letters, which
may with certainty be caculated upon, if the postage is reduced
to one penny, it is proposed to show—
That all invoices and letters of advice would be despatched
by the post.
That letters of inquiry, letters of explanation, letters pointing
out or supplying omissions in orders or directions, would be
greatly multiplied.
That letters would be written to secure accuracy and expedi-
tion upon many smaller points which are allowed to lie over
until inure important matters occur.
That innumerable circulars accompanying prices currrent,
and letters inquiring and advising of the state of the markets,
would be forwarded by post, which are now either not written
at all or but rarely written, and that to stock, share, and pro-
duce-brokers, and to intermediate agents of all kinds, as well
as principals, a very great increase in the number of communi-
cations by post would necessarily result.*
That this will lead to the publication of prices current, or
market statements, in all the principal marts of trade in the
United Kingdom, for immediate transmission to parties inter-
ested therein; and to the collection of these statements into
other lists and tabular statements, useful in new combinations
for many purposes, and that the whole will result in a great in-
crease of correspondence through the Post-office.
That with regard to stock, share, and produce-brokers espe-
cially, correspondence creates business, and that with them, as
with others, cheapness of postage would increase correspond-
ence; for their clients are peculiarly anxious to be advised daily
of the state of the markets, the opinion of those in whose judg-
ment they place confidence, as to their purchases and sales, and
that their correspondence would thereby be largely increased.
The shares in joint stock property, and the scrip or other
documents respecting it, would be transmitted to the buyers by
post, instead of being sent as they now are, when the buyers re-
side in the country, by parcels.
That the facilities thus afforded by increasing the number of
transfers, which bear an ad-valorem duty, would lead to the in-
crease of the general revenue.
That to auctioneers the proposed reduction would open the
means of conveying particulars of estates offered for sale into
those channels which they know to be likely to afford pur-
chasers, and to furnish copies of their advertisements, particu-
lars, and catalogues, to the various classes and trades interest-
ed in the purchase and sale of particular descriptions of
property.
That between all houses and trading companies having branch
establishments or travellers, the communications would be
greatly in-creased, as letters would be written immediately the
occasion for writing occurred.
That orders for small parcels of goods, or even for a single
article, would then be transmitted, to the great convenience of
the retail dealer; whereas now such orders are not sent, or the
wholesale houses are obliged to charge the postage upon them.
And that, to the very numerous classes engaged in those trades
into which silk, cotton, and woollen enter, this would be a most
important convenience, and the cause of very great additional
correspondence.
That it would lead, in all trades requiring extended publicity,
to an immense increase in the postage as a mode of advertising,
because a thousand circulars, with a letter on the ply-leaf, could
be despatched for Est 3s. 4d. to parties thought by the send--
5r..., ..--,.s_ particu-
larly the case with publications addressed to men of science,
and to particular classes or sections of society, and yet would
not supersede the more extended appeal to the public through
the medium of advertisements.
That to all religious and charitable institutions, particularly
to those having branch societies, it would afford most essential
aid in bringing their works of benevolence directly to the
knowledge of those whom the societies thought especially likely
to promote their objects, and facilitate their opportunities of
communicating with their influential members, committees,
officers, and subscribers.
That to all scientific, and particularly to statistical, geologi-
cal, and guardian societies-, and to authors and publishers, upon
all subjects, the means of coltecting, facts and information, and
ascertaining the views of other men of science or of similar
pursuits, would be of the highest value and importance, and
largely increase their communications through the Post-office.
That authors would then be able to correct their own works
when passing through the press; and as the proofs would be
forwarded to them in sheets, the letters and packages, and the
additional revises, would be very nurnerous.f
That the great number of persons who are constantly seeking
to arrest public attention on subjects which occur to them as of
great religious, social, or political importance, would be able,
at a small expense, to convey their views to those whom they
desire to interest.
That to architects, engineers, medical men, and, indeed, to
all professional men, having the charge of public works, or hos-
pitals, or institutions of any kind, it would be highly useful and
convenient; they could have, at an unimportant expenses, re-
ports from their subordinates by every post, and the institutions
and works themselves would be benefited by the constant com•
munication of the superior minds to the acting subordinates, of
plans, drawings, and directions.
That great advantage would be taken of the reduction of post-
age by the legal profession, for the transmission of many docu-
ments now sent by coach.
That all insurance companies would very considerably in-
crease their correspondence by a wider distribution of letters,
prospectuses, advertisements, and circulars; making inquiries,
transmitting policies, receipts, &c.
That to all joint-stock companies, benefit societies, savings'
banks, and provident institutions, it would afford great and
desirable facilities for communicating with their shareholders,
committees and members; and that letters would be sent to the
shareholders and members, announcing meetings, dividends,
calls, and other matters, in addition to public advertisements
required by their acts or charters of incorporation.
That the proposed reduction would open a most extensive
increase of communication through the Post-office, to the im-
mense number of persons interested in the many great national
measures and inquiries before Parliament, its numerous com-
mittees, and government commissions, particularly as a large
proportion of the many witnesses, and other persons in attend-
ance upon them, are brought from the country, and would be
daily communicating with home.
That au enormous increase would take place in what may be
called FAMILY OR DOMESTIC CORRESPONDENCE..
That the masses of the rising generation are necessarily
obliged to go forth from the family roof as apprentices, clerks,
shopneeri, travellers, teachers, domestic servants, and labourers
of all kinds; that they often settle in marriage in places distant
from their parents and relations; and that, to immense num-
bers of these, the present rates of postage prevent counnunica-
tions with relatives and friends.
That a great increase would arise in letters of advice and
affection between parents and children, and from senior rela-
tives, and amongst, all the members, relatives, and friends Of
the same family ; and from the very large class whose business
avocations take them frequently from their hpuses,,;. and sast_of
the-ever-changing incidents in life, such as sickness, accidents,
rejoicings, and the infinite number of domestic incidents which
occur among near and dear relatives, and are deeply interesting,
to them all, and the more so when distance intervenes.
That, if such letters could be transmitted for one penny each,
+hey would be multiplied to an almost inconceivable extent, as
most of them would be written by the female branches of fami-
lies, who are no,w almost debarred by heavy postage from cor-
respondence, and that the ability to frank the letter for one
penny, would be a strong, additional reason for much of this
correspondence, arising, as a large portion of it would, from
motives of affection, duty, and friendship.
That these certain ceases of increase—certain as far as it is
possible to predict certainty by anticipation—will multiply the
correspondence through the Post-office, at a moderate compu-
tation, tenfold; and, as nearly the whole expense of collecting
will be saved, there can be no rational fear that the direct
revenue from postage will be decreased.

* Vide the Evidence of Joshua Bates, Esq. (Baring and
Co.), and other Commercialists in Fifth Report.
Vide Fifth Report of Commissioners.

REDUCTION OF POSTAGE.—The select committees of the
House of Commons, for the reduction of postage, of which 111 r.
Wallace, is chairman, sits three times a week to take evidence
on this important subject. The principal part of the testimony
during the last week was given by witnesses brought forward at
the suggestion of the London mercantile committee, which is
busy seeking for the best evidence throughout the whole of the
united kingdom. It is said the evidence proves at once the
frightful exrent of illicit conveyance of letters, comparatively
unknown to the Post-office, and the wants of the community
fur a great reduction of postage.—Morning Herald.

A FASHIONABLE ON DIT.—It is currently stated in the fa-
siiiinithie circles, that " England's richest heiress" (Miss
C""sl3*****t) has found a successful suitor in Lord F***ii,
grandson of the premier duke of England. ft is further said that
a duchess (mother of the wealthy Duke of S—d has been
instrumental in bringitg. about the match, and that the families,
who have not until lately passed a visiting cat d, pay visits daily.
The noble lord, besides being an M.P., is handsome, and it will
be recollected (Tv our fashionable reacers, had the honour of open-
ing the ball, at St. James's palace, with the then Princess Vic-
toria, in May last.—London Paper:.