Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-03-13

that nothing in these sections shall be construed
to prevent The transmission gratis Of letters or
packages by private hand, or BY special mes
senger employed only for the single particular
occasion. r..gs
Section l3, allows steamboats, to take letters
and packages weighing less than three pounds,
on condition of delivering them over to the post
master OF other authorized agent of the depart
ment, at the port or place where they may be
d lected--the same postage to he charged Oh
such letters and packagessas ST they were con-
veyed in the mail. So .ss
Section IA. The Postmaster General is au-
thorized to make special contracts for carrying
mails upon the Western waters for a specified
time, but not to be paid beyond the price al
lowed for transmitting the mail.
Section Is, declares that the msssmailable
NATTER" &c., shall be deemed and taken to
mean all letters and newspapers, and all maya
zines and pamphlets periodically published, or
which may be published in regular series or in
successive numbers, under the same title, though
at irregular intervals, and all other written or
printed matter whereof each copy or number
shall not exceed eight ounces in weight, except
bank notes, sent in packages or bundles, with
out written letters accompanying them; bound
books not included. The act is nots<.o be so
construed as to prohibit any person from trans
porting, over any mail route, any books, mag
azines, pamphlets, or newspapers, not marked
directed, or intended for immediate distribution
to subscribers or others, but intended for sale
as merchandise, land sent or consigned to some
bona fide dealer for the sale thereof.
Section l6, forbids any person to forge the
stamps or envelops of the Department, Or to
use such forged stamps and envelops, under
penalty of imprisonment fJr not less than six
months nor more than five years, and fine not
exceeding $4,000.
Section II defines the term newspaper" as
used in the act to mean ''any printed publica-
ticn issued in numbers, consisting of not more
than two sheets, and published at short stated
intervals of not more than one month, convey
ing intelligence of passing events, and bona
fide extras and supplements of any such publ
cation.'
Section lo, declares that all penalties and
forfeitures incurred under the act shall be one
half for the benefit of the informer and prose
cutor, and the other half for the Post Office
Department.
Newspapers are to have free exchange as
heretofore.
The Postmaster General is to make all con-
tracts with the lowest bidder when the guar
antees are good
Newspapers having the largest circulation
are to have the publication of the list of letters.
Mail routes are to be devided into three clas
ses, according to their importance, and to be
arranged by railroads and steamboats,, according
to their importance The rates are to be not
more than 5000 mile per annnm for first class,
second class not more than $3.50 mile per
annum. and the third class will receive not
more than $50 mile per annum. Provided if
the mail service is performed at night, rs per
cent in addition may be paid, and if not more
than two mails are sent each day, then great
er compensation may be given.
The deficiencies, if an y, in the expenses of
the Post Office establishment, are to be paid
out of the Treasury, if the hostages are not
sufficient. under the new system, to pay the
same.
The Bill makes all necessary provisions for
the successful tEial of the -newsexperiment, and
there will be no embarrassment for want of
means, as the Postmaster General can draw
upon the Treasury to relieve all deficiencies.
Besides, the bill requires the expenses Of frank
ing as far as il is allowed, to be paid from the
Treasury, and not as now by the people in the
form Of high postage.