Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-03-17
The New Postage LAW.

| the new postage law, but as it underwent
subsequently, some slight notifications in
the Senate, we present our readers with
the following convenient synopsis Of it,
prepared by the Richmond Dispatch, in
preference to the original law itself, from
the reading Of which many would shrink
in dismay;
list Upon every single letter or manu-
script, or paper ofany kind asking or COM
municating information between places in
the United States, not more than 5000 miles
apart, if prepaid, cents. Not prepaid 5
cents. Double letters double rates-trcble
letters treble rates, &c, to the end of the
chapter. A single letter is one notexceed-
ing hall an ounce in weight. A double
letter is one which weighs one ounce or
less, but more than half an ounce. A ire
bic letter weighs more than an ounce and
up to an ounce and half &c. Double
postage Tor any distance over three thou
sand miles. Drop letters, cent each !;
advertised letters, one cent additional post
age.
2nd. Newspapers on weekhes, within
the county of publication no charge for
fifty miles out of the county, 5 cents per
quarter; under 800 miles, 10 cents per
quarter; not exceeding 1000 miles, Is cts
per quarter not exceeding 1000 miles, 20
cents per quarter; not exceeding 1000
miles, 80 cents per quarter: on all news
papers published monthly sent to bona fde
subscribers, one fourth OF these rates all
seml-monthlypapers, one-halfofthese rates;
semi-weckly papers, double the foregoing
rates; tri-weekly, treble; oftener, five times
these rates.
On transient newspapers, unsealed cir
culars and other printed mailable matter,
unconnected with any manuscript,not over
l ounce in weight, not over 500 miles, |
cent; for each additional ounce or fraction
OF am ounce, | cent additional not over
1000 miles, double these rates; not over
$500 miles, treble these rates; not over
5000 miles, quadruple; over $500 miles,
live time these rates. Subscribers to paw
postage on periodicals in advance one-half
OF the foregoing rates. Bound books &c,
not over ~ ounces, may be mailed; and
the postage on all printed matter, issued at
intervals not exceeding three months, other
than newspapers and periodicals, shall be
prepaid. To ascertain the weight of news
papers Tor the purpose of postage, they
shall we weighed when dry Whenever,
throughlnattentionor otherwise, any printed
matter is sent, which should have been pre-
paid, 1t shall pay double.
The President and Postmaster General
may alter our foreign postage as the inter
ests OF the country may demand. Post
masters shall remove wrappers on printed
matter to see there is no violation of the
law. Exchanges of newspapers, PERIOD
Gals, &c, between publishers, not over
sixteen ounces each, free; they may enclose
their bills therein, without charge of post
age. On papers not over 500. square in
ches, sent by the publishers to actual sub
scribers, one oarth Of the rates charged by
the act
Sd. Provides for the preparation of ct
stamps, and the supplying of Postmasters
with the same; also provides the penalty
for countcrfeiting such stamps.
| iiii. ulTCS L OStIlldsleTS 10 tcllCc INC
stamps that have been used.
9th. Provides for the advertising of the
list OF letters once in every six weeks, and
ottener If the Postmaster General NAV SO
direct; and the newspapers having the
largest circulation is to have the advertising
of the letters. lift shall refuse, the Post
master may give the advertising to some
other paper of lesser circulation. The a.
mount allowed to newspapers for this adj
vertising is reduced to the sum of one cent
| for each letter advertised.
9th Authoriscs the Postmaster General
to make extra allowances to such Post
masters whose commissions are reduced or
whose labours may be increased by this
law.
9TH Prohibits the reduction of the mail
service or the discontinuance of Post Off
ces.
Sth and 9th. Appropriate $4,000 to
the Post Office Department in compensa-
ton for the service it renders to Congress
and the Government.
10th. Authorises the Postmaster General
to establish post routes and places Of de-
posite within cities and towns, and to APP
point carriers or penny post men.
The 11th and last section of the act pro-
vides for the coinage of 3cent pieces, which
shall be legal tender for all sums under
30 cents. This last section takes effect
from the passage of the act
The law, except this last section, goes
into effect on the thirticth day of July next.
In connexion with this sapjcct we a...ncx
the subjoined table, showing the difference
between the postage on newspapers under
the new law and the present one. The
table, which we have seen copied in all the
papers, from New York journals incor-
rect, but the present one, we think, may be
relied on as accurate, since we have taken
some pains to have it SO.
NEWSPAPERS PER QUARTER.