Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-03-18
From the Washington Union.
The Post Office Department.

We hasten to lay before our readers the new
regulations which have been adopted by the
Postmaster General, under the laws passed at
the close of the last session of Congress. They
embrace a variety Of new and interesting pro-
visions, which ought to be thoroughly under.
stood by the people themselves, as well as by
all the postmasters. The attention of this
last and important class Of officers throughout
the country is especially invited to them.
Regulations Of the Post Office Department for
The enforcement Of the acts Of Congress of the
1st, I'd, and Sd Of March, le47.
l. All the deputy postmasters are authorized
to send free, through the mails, all letters and
packages not weighing over two ounces, which
they may have occasion to write or send, re-
lating TO the business of their Offices of the
Post Office Department, and endorsing there
on "post Office business" and signing their
names thereto. And those whose compensa.
ton did not exceed $20r for the year ending
the 30th Of June, 1876 may also send free,
throu the mails, letters written by them.
selves, and receive free all written communi.
cations, on their own private business, not
weighing over one half ounce.
2. Members Of Congress and delegates from
Territories my send and receive free, through
the mails, from thirty days before the com.
me emcnt of each Congress until the meet
ing of the next Congress, letters and packages
not exceeding two ounces in weight, and pub
lie documents not exceeding three pounds in
weight. Public documents are those printed
by the order of either house of Congress, and
publications or books procured or purchased
by Congress, or either house, for the use Of
the me tmbers.
3. The same privilege allowed 10 members
Of Congress is extended to the Secretary of
the State and the House IF Representatives, dur.
ing their official terms, which terminate with
the election of their successors.
4. The privilege of the Tiee President is en-
larged, so that he may send and receive free,
public documents during his official term.
D. Persons entitled to the privilege of frank.
ing should endorse on all letters or package
weighing under two ounces, "Free, and sign
the same, designating the Office they fill and
all public documents which exceed two ounces
III weight should be designated by writing the
words "public documents" on them, and sign
ing them officially as above. The character
of public documents issued from the public Of
fees in the city of Washington and directed to
persons authorized to receive them free, may
be designated by stamp specifying the Office
from which they issue, and the words 'public
documents" or such other evidence Of their
character as may be agreed upon between
them and the postmaster of the city Of WASH
ngton. Any documents folded and sealed,
not having such evidence Of its character on
the envelope, will be rated with postage, which
will be RENTED by the delivering post master,
upon satisfactory evidence that il is a public
document, transmissible free through the mails
to the person addressed.
3. All letters and packages from all the
heads Of departments, or other public officers
who were entitled to the franking privilege
prior TO the passage Of the act Of the Sd Of
March, 1S45, in relation to the business Of
their respective Offices, will be delivered 10
the persons addressed without any charge of
postage, as an appropriation has been made by
Congress for their payment. All letters and
packages issuing from the departments, should
be marked on the envelope "offcial business, ;"
and signed by the heads Of the departments,
or, under their direction by their chief clerks
and the other officers who were entitled TO the
franking privilege prior to the act Of l545, de-
signaling their official capacity But such Off.
GERS have not the right to send or receive,
Tree, their private letters or papers.
| z. All newspapers transmitted through the
mails will be hereafter rated with postage, ex-
cept exchange papers between the publishers
OF newspapers, and those franked by persons
enjoying the privilege and contractors may
take newspapers out of the mails, for sale or
distribution among subscribers.
.. Transient newspapers, or those not sent
from the office of publication to subscribers,
hand-bills or circular letters printed or litho-
graphed, not exceeding one sheet in sire, will
pay three cents, upon delivery at the office and
before they are put in the mails, and oil such
VIII be charged by deputy p"stmasters as pre-
paid matter in the way bills and upon their
accounts of mails sent, and stamped OF marked
"pad' with the name ofthe Office from which
sent .- .....
y. Transient newspapers, handbills, OF cir.
culars, cannot be received free by deputy
postmasters under their privilege. If such
should be addressed TO them, il is their duty TO
return them to the sender under a new cover,
charged with letter postage. IL deposited in n
post office uDsealcd, addressed TO deputy post.
masters or others, they will not in any case be
forwarded by mail without payment Of the
postage. IL sealed they will be rated with let.
ter postage, and forwarded in the mail.
10. Letters addressed 10 different persons
cannot be enclosed in the same envelope or
package under penalty Of ten dollars, unless
addressed 10 foreign countries. f.f
". Letters, newspapers, and packages not
exceeding one ounce in weight, addressed TO