Volcano weekly ledger., 1857-04-04
New Postage Act.
An Act Providing for the Compulsory Pre-
payment of Postage on all transient Prin
ted Matter-Approved Jan I'd, 1857.

IA
payment of Postage on all transient Prin-
ted Matter-Approved Jan I'd, 1851.
Be ii enacted 5y The Senate and House of
Representatives Of the United States Of Amer-
aca IN Congress assembled.
That the provision in the Act approved Au-
gust thirteenth, one thausand eight hundred
and fifty-two, entitled "An Act to amend the
Act entitled An Act to reduce and modify
the Rates of Postage in the United States
and other purposes" passed March 3d. 1881,
permitting transient printed matter to be sent
through the mail of the u s., without pre-
payment of postage, be and the same IS here
by repealed. And the postage on all such
transient matter shall be prepaid by stamp
or otherwise. as the Postmaster General may
direct.
instructions TO Post lIastsrs.- Transient
printed matter, Etc.
l.. Book not weighing over four pounds,
may be sent in the mail prepaid by postage
stamps, any distance in the United States
under three thousand miles at the rate
OF one cent per ounce; and at two cents
an ounce, over three thousand miles, provided
they are put up without cover or wrapper,
or in cover or wrapper open at the ends or
sides, so that their character may be deter
mined without removing the wrapper
2. Small newspapers and periodicals, pub
hshed monthly or oitener. and pamphlets
containing not more than sixteen octave pages
each, when pat MP in single packages
weighing at least eight ounces. TO one address,
snd prepaid by stamps, may be sent TO any
part OF the United States at one-half cent an
ounce or fraction Of an ounce
g. Unsealed circulars, advertisements, bu-
siness cards transient newspapers, and every
other article of transient printed matter, Tex
cept books and packages Of small publica-
tions as above, not weighing over three oun-
ces, sent in the mail to any part of the Uni
ted States, are chargable with one cent
postage each, to be prepaid by postage stamps.
When more than one circular is printed on a
sheet, or a circular and letter, each must be
charged with single rate This applies to
lottery and other kindred sheets assuming
the form and name of newspapers, and the
miscellaneous matter in such sheet must also
be charged with one rate. A business card
on an unseaed envelop or circular, subjects
the entire packet to letter postage. Any
transient matter, like q circular or handblll,
inclosed In or with periodical or newspaper
sent 10 subscriber, or to any other person,
subjects the whole package to letter postage;
and whenever subject to letter postage from
being sealed or from any cause whatever, all
printed matter, without exception, must be
prepaid or excluded from the mail 1t is the
duty of the postmaster at the mailing office,
as well as at the Office of delivery, carefully
TO examine all printed matter in order to see
that it is charged with the proper rate of
postage and to detect fraud. At Offices
where postage stamps can not be procured,
postmasters are authorized to receive money
in prepayment Of postage on transient matter,
but they should be careful to keep supply
of stamps on hand.
A. 1t is no part Of the duty Of postmaster
to receive and deliver to subscribers any 9th
er newspaper than those which come 10 mall
or to put the address on newspapers sent to
clubs, or to deliver them from furnished list;
nor should he do either, even through cour.
tesy unless it may be done without interfer
ing with the legitimate business of his office