The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-08-21

/ over Witnin ninety uayS atter inc making OF any
contract, lodge duplicate thereof, together
\ with the proposals which he shall have receiv
ed respecting il, in the office of the Comptroller
ofthe Treasury Of the United States Provided,
That no contract shall be entered into for a lon.
ger term than four years
! SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That every
post master shall keep office in which or
more persons shall attend on every day on which
mail, or bag, or other packet or parcel of let
tiers shall arrive by land or water, we'll as on
other days, at such hours the post master ge-
neral shalt direct, for the purpose of performing
the duties thereof; and it shall be the duty of
the post master at all reasonable hours, on eve
! ny day of The week, to deliver demand any let
ter, paper packet, to the person entitled to or
authorised to receive the same and all letters
brought to any post office half hour before the
time OF making up the mail at such Office shall be
forwarded therein; except at such post offices,
where, in the opinion of the post master general,
| it requires more time for making up the mail.
and which he shall accordingly prescribe but
this shall in no case exceed one hour
SEC 10 And Be it further enacted, That no
fees or perquisites shall be received Ivy any per-
| son employed in the general post Office &C
count of the duties to be performed by virtue of
his appointment.
SEE IL. dnd be IL further enatted, That the 70,
lowing rates ofpostage shall be charged on all
letters and packets excepting such, as are here
matter exemptedl conveyed by the posts of the
U viz for every letter composed OF single
sheet of paper, conveyed not exceeding forty
miles, eight cents over forty and not exceeding
| ninety miles ten cents; over ninety and not eX.
ceedng one hundred and fifty miles, twelve and
| half cents; over one hundred and fifty and not
| exceeding three hundred miles, seventeen cents;
over three hundred and not exceeding five hun
dred miles, twenty cents; over five hundred
miles. twenty five cents. And for every double
| letter, or one composed of two pieces of paper,
double those rates; and for every triple letter,
or one composed of three pieces of paper, triple
those rates and for every packet composed OF
four or more pieces OF paper, or other thing, and
weighing one ounce avoirdupois quadruple those
rates, and in that proportion for all greater
weight: Proo'ded. That no packet ofietters con
veyed by the water mails shall BE- charged with
more than quadrupIe postage, unless the same
shall actually contain more than four distinct let
ters. No postmaster shall be obliged to receive,
to be conveyed by the mail, any packet which
shall weigh more than three pounds: And the
postage marked on any letter orpackage & charg
| ed on the postbil which may accompany the
| same, shall, in favor of the post master who de
| ivers out said letter, be conclusive evidence of
the lawful postage thereon, unless said letter
shall BE- opensd in the presence of the said post.
master or his clerk.
! SEC ID. indie IT further enacted, That every
| letter or packet brought INTO the u S. OF CARR
| ed from one port therein to another, in any pri.
vate ship OF vessel, shall be charged with six
cents, if delivered at the post Office where tue
same shall arrive, and If destined to- be conveyed
by post to any place, with two cents, added to
| the ordinary rates of postage.
l SEC Is. And be it further enacted, That if any
post master, or other persHn authorised by the
post master general, to receive the postage of
letters shall fraudulently demand or receive any
rate of postage, or grauty or eward, otht than
is provided by this act, for the postage of letters
Or packets on conviction thereof he shaliforfeit
| tor every such Ofence, one hundred dollars, and
shall be rendered incapable Of holding any office
| or appointment under the government of the "
is.
SEC. II And be it further enacted, That no
ship or vessel arriving at any port within the u.
States, where post Office is established, snail be
permitted to report, make entry, or break bulk,
until the master or commander shall have deli
vered to the post master all letters directed 10
any person or persons within the United States,
or tffe territories thereof which, under his care
or within his power, shall be brought in such
ship or vessel, except such are directed to the
owaer, or consignee of the ship vessel, and
except also such directed to be delivered
at the port of delivery to winch such snip OF YES
sci may ne. bound, Aud it shall b. the duty of
the collector, other officer of the port, empow
cred to recevs entries of ships vessels, 10 re-
qure, from every master OF commander of such
snip or vessel. an oath or fiji nation, purportmg
that ne has d ivered all suca letters, except as d
foresaid. And # any commando or maser of q
ny such sup OF vessel shh o'';aS Xix oetJr: he
shall have complied with the requirements of
this act every such off der shall on sohv irt,oB
thereof foreit for ever, sUch offence SUM OF ex-
ceedins ore hundred dollars
SEC Is Avd be it further enacted, That the
pos, masters to when such letters may be de-
iivered, shall pay to the master or comm an,ler,
or other person, delivering the same, except the
commanders OF foreign packets, two cents for
each letter or packet, and shall obtain, from the
, person delivering the me, certificate specify
! ing the number of letters aud packets, with the
name of the ship or vessel, and the place from
whence tho last sailed which certificate, toge
Their with a receipt for the money, shall be with
l his quarterly accounts transmitted to the post
master general, who shall credit bin with the
mount.
SEC 10 AHd be it further enacted, That IL any
pc son other than the post master general or his
deputies, or persons by them employed, shall be
concerned IN setting up maintaining any foot
; or morse post, stage Wagon, other stage car
riage or sleigh on any established post road, or
tr m one post town, to another post town, on any
road adjacent or parallel to an established post
road or any packet boat or other ssel to ply reg
uariy from one place to another, between which a
regular communication by water shall be estab
hshed by the u. S. & shall receive any letter or
packet, other than newspapers, magazines or
pamphlets carry the Same by such foot or horse
post, stage Wagon or other carriage, Or Sleigh
packet boat or vessel, Excepting only such letter
or letters as may be directed to the owner or ow-
ners OF such conveyance, & relating TO the same,
or to the person to whom any packet or bundle
bundle IN such conveyance is intended to be
deliVered) every person so offending shall forfeit