The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-06-24
Postage. Letters across the ses
for a Penny

Many persons imagine that the mail matter belwet n
Great Britain and North America be increased to an
nconvenient bulk in order 10 produce, under ocean
penny postage, the amount OF revenue derived from The
present rates But this Is great mis- AXE NEWSPAPERS
and other publications row constitute probably than
hall the weight and bulk OF The ma5 convex I'd
ocean, especially between Eng and and The United States
Tor there is special arrangement for the Transmission OF
printed matter between these two grea, countries the like
OF which does not exist betw any other two nations
divided BY the 10 England sou send publca-
on whatever even to any OF It's colonies, unless ii
bear The government Samp short OF sxpsnee or twelve
ceGls. The postage little unaanped periodical
weighing a rifle over halt an ounce, between London
and Paris is thirty otnsi Bu, the postage the same
from London TO 81. Louis is but d., half OF which is
paid this side aud ball the American Add you
can transmit between Eng land and the United ) ales
any printed matter whatever, old newspapers, pamph-
lets, books, and parts OF books al the charge oil 3D.
for two oanees, paid above-ld by the sender and
Id by the receiver. What is the consequenosi Why,
IN order TO AVOID the present high postage letters
tons and tons Of old newspapers. pamphlets, bits Of
books, sermons, &c sent the sea, not with
The slightest expectation that they will be read, but
merely 10 convey 10 distant friends what may be
expressed IN The manuscript direction on The back or
cover For instance, John Havk'rs, Hdrrisontipe
Missouri" receives old English newspaper, pcF'mark-
Ell Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. No one but John knows
whose band penned those simple words, He knows full
well, and they gladden. hrs heart with this message
/" THIS Is IRON your aileetonae mother She remembers
yoa with mothers memory. she Is pretty we'll Look
at these words they are not written with feeble or scky
hand" nice ana comfortable letter that TO John for
penny The words few without verb adjective 10
connect or qualify them but they foil of meaning to
John They are 81 the post Office will allow bis mother
OF father 10 nd him Tor penny 50 they written
on the cover OF old newspaper weighing ounces
instead OF sheet of note paper weighing half ounce
The poorest OF The poor can send these newspaper letters
across the and send them they do By OF thou
sands weekly True. there in them but few kernels
Of wheat to tushel Of ohad bp, The ebaf is trans
ported Tor nothing, the bulk ia not regarded by either
party ELlHU BURkITF.
OCEAN PENNY POSTAGE ALREADY IN PRACTICE
In ahl IN ~ II,
goth January, the editor remarks Our present object is
10 inquire whether or arrangement could no, be
made by The posi- office for the transmission OF letters
the rate OF one penny between the mother county aud
Australia, BY private sailing ships, II not by packet"
Lord Aberdeen, ALSO in his reply to the large and nuen
tai depuation that waited UPON him the 10th Of April,
made ubsianliay this observation: Gentlemen have
said that they ready TO admit that penny should be
required for the domestic part, penny Tor the colonial
part OF the expense, but complain OF the charge of four
pence for the ocean part Of the postage" Now,
sured that, II the gentleman present eDnne0ieJ with the
shipping interest, Disposed 10 undertake The task Of
veyng letters under what they call an exotbant amount
the post office will be glad TO accept his offer
Now, fact stated since by two respecta-
BILE captains Of American sailing ships, which seems to
supply an answer 10 the Inquiry OF toe London Zines,
and to the declaration OF Lord Aberdeen. These two
captains sailed between New York and London and .
10 conversation the pfacticabi,y of cheap ocean
postage. the, said that il was Their custom to Leave
letierbag Tor the receipt Of letters IN coffee house
IN New York few days before setting ssil. with
notice that Il would be closed nj a specified hour. AT
The time appointed II was locked up Brought on board
and conveyed across the Atlantic TO England Ga
arriving OF Gravesend, the ship was BOARDED BY the
Brtsh custom house officers, and the letter bag was put
into her hands under solemn affirmation by the cap am
that u contained all the matchmaker on board to his
knowledge The officers then opened the bag counted
the eters, posted them probably in Gavesea nd 10 ihe per
sons TO whom they were addressed, each charged With
Sd, the usual rate sailing shlpletters, and gave
the captain penny each his pa OF The service per-
formed upon H. And this service not only ncoded the
SIMPLE item OF transportation across the Atlantic, but the
putting up OF the bag IN New York and sundry other liz
Tie cares that end OF the route, which Included in
the inland services letters crossing the and charged
a. sueh Both these sea captains said this had been
pEaehee OF long standing with them, and they presumed