Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-03-24
From the Baltimore Clipper.
ABSTRACT OF THE POSTAGE LAW

From the Baltimore Clipper
ABSTRACT OF THE POSTAGE LAW.
After the 1st Of July next. in lieu Of The
rates Of postage now established by law,
there shall be charged the following ra 'es.
viz:-For every single letter,in manuscript,
or paper Of any kind, by or upon which in
form1ton shall be asked for or communica-
ted in writing, or by marks and signs, con
veycd in the mail not over three hundred
miles, five cents; over three hundred miles,
ten cents; and for double letter there SHALL
| be charged donblc this rate; and for treble
| letter treble this rate; and for quadrupe
letter quadruple this rate; and every letter
nr parcel not exceeding half an ounce in
weight shall be deemed single letter; and
Hrery additional Weight of half an ounce, or
additional weight less than half an ounce.
shall be charged with additional single post
lge. And all drop letters, or letters placed
n any post office, not for transmission by
mall but for delivery only. shall be charged
with postage at tho rate Of two cents each.
And all letters which shall hereafter be adj
vertised as remaining over in any post office
shall, when delivered out. be chatgcd with
he costs Of advertising the same, in addi-
lion TO the regular postage, both to be ac
counted for as other hostages now are.
Newspapers ofno greater size than nine
teen hundred square inches, may be trans
miited through the mail 10 within 80 miles
of where they are published free ofpos'age;
if sent over thirty miles the same portage
charged as at present.
Private circular letters, unsealed. arc sub
ect 10 postage Of two cents.
The ranking privilege as it now oxis;s,
is utterly abrogated an repealed and Off
GERS Of the Government of the United States
heretofore having the ranking privilege, are
required TO keep an account of the bus ness
letters which they receive, the postage on
Which is TO be paid by the department to
which they are attached. The assistant
posmastcrs general are allowed 10 frank,
but must endorse their le.;e-s or plckagc
official business" and if they are not On
official business, they are Liable to a panalty
of three hundred dollars for each offence.
Deputy Posmasters are 10 have all the post
age they pay on business letters refunded
and If their comm ssions do not amount 10
twenty-five dollars PEI annum then the POST
/ master General is allowed to increase them
5 Governor of States are allowed TO trans
i NIT through mil, free of postage, certain
books aud documents, and members of Con
gress, the Secretary Of State and Clerk of
/ the House Of Representatives, can frank all
e public printed documents, and leaves the
T. Thanking privilege orIhe Senators and Rep
). retcntalivos, on all letters and packages not
; exceeding two ounces in weight, the same
rs il now is; and they are also allowed 10
II receive letters and packages during the
n session, as well as for thirty days before
$ and after the same. The Postmaster Gen
/. erdi is 10 keep an account of The charge on
l. all matter that goes through the mail free,
n which is to be refunded from the conlinger,
fund or from the Treasury.
!. Newspapers, pamphlets, hooks and peri
a odicals. can DC sent gu, cf the mail, over
n The mail routes, by publishers, agents, OF
&c o he S, without hiGdrance flon the Dcpart
q ment.
h Private expresses, 20 perform rcgula
.. trips on mail routes, and transport matlablt
V matter, are expressly prohibited under &
d penalty Of one hundred and fifty dollars fo
j. earh offence. Stage coaches, steamboats,
$ railroads cars, packet boats. &c, with thei
= owners. managers. ser ants, crews. &c.
IS performing regular trips on post routes, ar,
$ prohibited from carrying letters or malta
BILE matter, excepting newspapers, phamp
1 lets, or ma gaines, unless they relate to tht
n. cargo or some part of II, or 10 the article:
n. conveyed in the stage coach, car, or o,he
r, vehicle. under penalty of one hundrrC
Id dollars for each offence, 10 be p1id by tht
Ct owner, and fifty dollars by the captain o.
r driver, or other person in charge, not be
If ing an owner in whole ur in part.
i'll Seven hundred and fifty thousand dol
,e lars is Appropriated from the Treasury 10 BE-
A. applied 10 The Department, in case Of an,
j. deficiency in It's income caused by the gen
,r eraI reduction Of postage made by this cct
4. Newspapers are defined 10 be any prin
e leo publication, issued in numbers. consis
10 ting OF not more than two sheets. and pub
IF listed at short stated intervals of no, ex
# deciding month, - conveying intel
= ligence of passing events, and bona 6de
+ extras and supplements Of any such pub
r LEGATION.
Nothing in the act shall be construed to
,. repeal the laws heretofore enacted, grant.
4 ing the Thanking privilege 10 the widows oil
! Iek-Presidents Madison and Harrison.
9 The remaining sections provide for car.
> Tying ihe law into effect, etc.