New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-11-27
THE GENERAL POST-OFFICE.
Its Rise aud Progress.

Written for the y. Y Tribune
The United States Postal Establishment,
now so gigantic in dimensions and influence,
was an exceedingly small affair IN is com
mencement, and has been very slowly and gradu-
ally developed. The wants OF the early colonsts
induced them, at a very early period, to make
provision for the occasional transmission OF
letters and other packets 10y post. viii give
few facts touching their operations IN the matter,
tu, mus, refer inquisitive readers to recent
very interesting address OF William b Taylor,
Of tire New-York City Post.Ofiice, for fuller
information on this antique point.
monthly post was organized between New
YORK and Boston, in 1872, trip to be made in
about fortnight, each way Some ten years
subsequently, at the suggestion OF the wise and
good VIM Penn, a postal commune alton was effect
ed between Philadelphia and the principal towns in
Pennsylvania and Mary land. In 1902 an act passed
the Virginia Assembly looking 10 the introduction
Of mail arrangements into thar and the daren colo
mes, which, however, IN consequence Of the dis
ptrsed condition OF the nabitaLis, not carried
into effect. Mails were, however, put in operation
III ,ha, colony about forty years subsequently, OH
ces for the receipt and dispatch OF letters set
up at Philadelphia m lGs3 at Boston IN 1857, and at
New.York IN 1922.
Somewhere about The year 100 patent was
,ssued BY the British GoHernmenl 10 Thomas Neal,
empowering han and his heirs to erect Post Offices
IN the Colonies lor tW enty -one years At this time
no mail route was IN operation south Of Phlladel
phia Letters for places south thereof had to be sent
BY special express. Nh. Neal appointed Col An
drew Hamilton his Deputy PosimasleI-Goneral, but
his privilege having been, some time aiterHdrd,
transferred to the British Grown, ana the establish
ment having been consolidated with that Of the
mother country, in 1888, that power appointe the
celebrated philosopher, Rem ANN Franklin, b. the
situation. Ills mCthodcal mind, and the fact of has
having held the City PostnaS.erShp at Phila le phia
afew years before, gave him peculiar qualiGcato
Tor such post although is probable that his selec
ton was owing mainly 10 the celebrity his had
attracted in Europe, in consequence Of having, in
l7%9, succeeded, 10y means of silk handkerchief
and pair Of cross sticks, attached to metallic
pointer, in drawing the electrical fund from the
clouds The author Of " Poor Richard" could hardly
fail to make a thrifty Postmaster General, 50 that,
although his postboys, with their little saddle5sgs,
travelled very unfreQueatly SAY once week IN sam
mer, and once forngh, IN Winter to the Northern
cities, he succeeded IN obtaining from the establish
men, small revenue for the mother country As
trust. will state tina, find printed letter Of his,
addressed to George Washington, IN 1850, saving
that the mail from Philadelphia TO Winchester, Va,
would have to be discontinued unless he (Mr W
could induce the Virginia Legislature to defray he
cost ofthe part beyond Carlisle. lie was moi a lazy
Postmaster either, for md stated that on one oc
casion he travelled 600 miles al the North In CN-
amining the posts. Franklin having, IN ia, while
IN London, offended the British Ministry by MS In
dependent replies, when catechised before a Com.
mttee Of the Commons concerning the affairs of the
Colonies, was promptly dismissed nom Office
On the rupture, IN l7;5, between the mother conn.
Jay and the Colonies, an opposition posiof6ce was
started BY the Colonies to which step they were in
duced IN a large degree. BY the editorials of VIM.
Goddard, publisher Of very Tree newspaper in Bal
tmore The British establishment nommalH con.
unued for some years thereafter, although the fol
lowing, issued by its Secretary, Francis Dashwood
would seem 10 have be,okened its dying groan
"NEw-YoRS, Dee 25, I-75.
"WAusaS, The Provincial Convention at Annapo-
hs has passed resolve that the Parliamentary Post
Once las they are pleased 10 call NJ shall not be per
mi,ted to travel an OF pass through that Province
Win any maui packet OK letter, ana III consequence
OF that resolve, have taken his N9'esiy's mai from
the fost-Ohce AZ Baltimore, with letters contained
therein the Committee az Phlladelphia have also
taken The mail containing all the last packets le!lfYS
TO the southwar opening many OF them to the
great hurt OF many individuals ana Sgni6ed 10 the
Postmaster their intention OF stopping all others for
the future and other of of ms Maesty's mails hay.
ing been taken and distracted notice hereby gwen
to'ee public, tha. the Deputy Postmaster Is Obliged
TOT 'he present TO stop all lhe posts
Matters having thus fallen into the hands Of the
Colonies The Congress Of the Confederation on the
:fth OF July, MS, passed resolution for the appoint.
ment Of Postmaster General, who should hold his
efce al Philadelphia, with salary Of 81 oso per an
nsm, and have power 10 appoint a Secretary and
Controller at $50, and "sach and 10 many depu,es
As TO him may seem proper and necessary whose
compensation should be twenty Per ceas of the post
ages they might collect and pay over nc, exceeding