Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-20
THE GENERAL POST OFFICE.
Br D. D. I. LrEcH.

and the printing press. Where the mail-bags with
their humanzing contents, penetrate, ignorance and
the customs of savage life disappear like tire mists
of night before the morning sun. The term post
originated from the Latin positts because, in the
Roman empire, in the times Of the Caesars, horses
were stationed at convenient distances to convey
letters or passengers. Couriers for the transmits
sion of intelligence-cheAy military--were employ
ed in several Of the ancient States and carrier
pigeons were used for like purpose in the times Of
the Crusades. But mails for the accommodation Of
the general public were not known till about the
middle of the 18th century, when Charles v intro
duced them among his vast Germanic possessions,
and appointed Leonard, Of Thurn and Taxis, his
Postmaster General The management Of the odce SUBJ
sequenty descended imperial feo to the descend
ants of the house Of Thurn and Taxs-a circumstance
which has seriously nterfered with the beneficial opera
ton Of the institution in that country
Several Of the German States their separate posts
In others the house referred has charge of the nstu
tion which controls through Postmaster General resi-
dent at Frankfort on the Maine The stage coaches in
Germany generally united with the post Offices, and
travel slower than the letter mails As Offset to this
disadvantage, they convey parcels safely letters In
several of these States recommended letters paying
higher Of postage, may be BY these coaches
specified the way-bi If person wishes to transmit
message to the different postmasters route he may
send open paper which is received and forwarded by
them respectively Money beyond certain amount
may also be transmitted if deposited with postmaster
his receipt therefor serving order for the the
postmaster to whom it is addressed. Contrary the
practice these Governments hold themselves
sponsble certain extent for losses Of money mailed
in the presence of of postmaster
In France there is Director General of posts, and
Inspector of posts in each department Each post Office
of which there about four thousand has director
and comptroller and the necessary number Of assistants
The mail coaches convey also money and and
are accompanied by responsible couriers Passengers
pay certain number of for each stage, and are al
lowed to take fifteen pounds Of luggage. The Govern
contracts with the postmasers for the transmission
of the mails paying stipulated price for each horse and
driver They have separate class Of mails called ex
posts under the exclusive control Of the posmaster
which travel with great speed owing to the activity Of the
posmasters and posons The latter think Of sleep
when duty The right Of sending mails free Of charge
railroads is secured by the Government the
porating the similar privlegeis enjoyed the
| German railroads. In France recommended letters
may be payment of double postage and patterns
of goods may be sent at e-third postage.
The English system of posts originally introduced
from Italy, but has undergone great notifications The
present establishment takes date from the reign of Eliza
beth. The Postmaster General is member of the Cab-
and has right seat in the House OF Lords The
management and profits Of the office farmed out
sold auction, prior to l79 The contracts or hauling
the mails merely the principal routes let by the
Department after full competition, for of years
but they do the expiration thereof unless
three months notice of such intended dscontnuance be
previously given by the Government contractor;
in of the death of the contractor the annu
ment of his for failures The mail coaches
obtained by the Government from the builders The
lat NJ
of Posts for the district through which they pass The
British Government does itself in the convey
ance of passengers in the mail coaches done the
continent The Department permits the contractors to
take limited number Of that class. The Postmaster Ge
neral exercises unlimited control the times of
and departure railroad routes although they pay
no higher for such service than is done by the uni
ted States establishment which latter, however, rarely
undertakes change the schedule without the consent
of the companies. Such power, if possessed by the
American Office, would tend materially to expedite the
mails The regularity with which the English mails ar
and depart from the principal towns remarkable
The postal establishments of the other European nations
are in low condition, compared with those mentioned.
The Russian system is on the German model, and has
been much improved Of late The nqustive referred
to the " Postal Guide" valuable periodical published
by p G. Washington ESQ.,, Of this city; also to Majsr
Hobbies report of 21st December 1848 for further par
tcuars in regard to European postal affairs.
The archives Of several of the American colonies show
attempts very early period provide mail facilities
| within their respective limits.
In Virginia, far back as 1867, il enacted that
each Of plantation should furnish messenger
forward the plantation the dispatches passing from
the seat Of the interior pain Of being
fined hogshead Of tobacco for failure to do Regular
mails not, however introduced into that colony till
seventy Ave years thereafter.
The colony Of New York has the credit Of having putt
operation the FIRST mail this side Of the Atlantic
Governor Lovelace having in 1872 established post
70 goe monthly between New York city and Boston and
back"
The colony Of Massachusetts, created the first post Office
the General Court having, in 1877 appointed John Hey
ward the scrivener, at Boston, take letters and
| convey them according to their direction"
In Pennsylvania in 1888, the phianthropic VIM Penn
established post Office at Philadelphia, and appointed
Henry waldy postmaster with authority to supply pas
sengers with horses from Philadelphia to New Castle or
to the Falls of Delaware" About the same time that
wise and good caused to be put in operation mail
from Philadelphia to the principal towns in Penn
sylvania and Maryland
In 1892 the Virginia Assembly gave Thomas Neal pa
tent Postmaster General which, however owing 70 the
dispersed condition Of the inhabitants carried
| into effect.
In 100 Col John Hamilton, Of New Jersey, obtained
from the British Government patent empowering him