The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-15
From the United States Post Office Assistant.I
POSTAGE STAMPS.

one which has for long time puzzled the brains of
many anxious lnquirers after knowledge, and not
WithStanding the humorous reply of some classical
wit, that ''hey fall to the earth and become terra
pins" the mystery of the ultimate fate of those
useful contrivances remains as far from satisfac-
tory solution as ever. 1t would probably be less
Gllhcuit to lind an answer to an inquiry to what
becomes OF all the postage stamps, and vet in view
OF the immense humber which are daily produced,
issued and consumed, the subject could hardly fail
TO strike any one with taste for statistics as a
suggestive and fruitful one for investigation IL ia
not our purpose, however, to enter upon this task
at present, but simply to give readers glimpse
at the modUs operGndj of the sale of these conve-
nient articles, as conducted at our largest post
Office New York. Although the demand for post
age stamps is of course almost universal, yet in
city like this, with its large and varied population,
the individual consumption is much less evenly
distributed than that of almost any other article in
such general use. With some, the purchase of
stamps is event of comparative rarity, and an
item of but small Importance in their yearly eXpen-
ses, while with others it is matter of daily neces
slty, and entails an expense which their annual
baance-sheet shows to be no trife. To accOmmo-
date both these classes of purchasers, the depart
ment for the sale of stamps and stamped envelopes
at the New York Office is divided into two sections
in one Ofwhich all transactions to the amount of 81
and upwards are carried on, while the other sup
plies the more limited wants of those who desire to
procure smaller quantities, down to single cone
CENTER"
Let us step for few moments into the first men
toned Office, which is situated at the head of the
staircase leading to the entrance to the offices of
the Postmaster, Secretary and Cashier. At a
counter within the enclosed space formed by "a high
partition, stands the clerk who presldes over this
department, busy employed in dealing out to the
numerous customers, sheets and portions of sheets
OF stamps of divers colors, and bearing different
devices, and could we peep behind the partition,
we should snugly slowed within the recess of a
capacious "salamander," geodly pile of his stock
in trade, sufficient, might think, to supply the
needs of all the etterwriters of the city for months
hn info i, btItt oc
the last invoice received from the Department, and
it not for the fact that fresh stock is now on
its way, the constant demand would exhaust
the suppy-thereby producing public excitement
which might be better imagined than described.
This office is open from 8 A. NJ. to p. NJ. and the
average sales amount to about 81, 800 per day,
and are constantly increasing. The late regulation
of the Department by which the prepayment of all
postage, both foreign and domestic letters, is
obliged to be made in stamps, has caused large
increase in the sales formerly many persons pre-
ferred paying their foreign postage in money.
Until within short time the II stamp was the
highest denomination issued, but the large amount
which is sometimes required for the payment of but
one foreign letter necesstaed the use of those of
higher value and accordingly a, 80 and 80 cent
stamps are now sold, making eight different denom-
inations issued by the Department, viz l, g. 5, TO-
II, q, 80 and 90 cents. OF course and cent
stamps are in greatest demand, though on ''steamer
days. the higher denominations form a large por-
tion of the sales. In paying large amounts of post
was sometimes found necessary to afix for the pur
pose, often increased, by their weight, the amount
payable, to the extent Of additional rate-an
objection entirely done away with blythe use of the
larger denominations.
From the opening until the closing hour, the
counter is besieged by steady stream of customers;
and ''queer customers" some of them are, as
may discover by a few minutes observation. Here
comes one evidently from the ''rural district
keen, cautious-looking individual, who saunters in
in a leisurely way, evidently determined not to
betray, by the exhibition of undue haste any anx-
ETY. to purchase, and unwilling to part with his
money except upon the most favorable terms, and
after all the solemn formalities of regular bargain
making. CHOW dye sell stampsY'
''That depends upon what kind you want, sir
"Well, let's see what kind you've got"
cones threes hves tens twelves twenty-fours
thirtes and ninetes," says the clerk with bewid
ering rapidity, and with an utter disregard of
punctuation.
GLOW do you sell your three cent ones?"
"Three cents apiece, of course, = answers the
official rather impatiently, with slight suspicion
that he is being ''quizZed."
eyes, s'pose so-that's your retail price--but
you see | want to get lot of 'em, and I'd Jest as
lief get 'em of you anybody else, if you'd allow
discount for cash, and take Illinois mOney-gOod
as wheat"
awe can't allow any discount, sir, and we don't
take any money except gold and silver" says the
clerk, with business-like brevity.
"Well, but you see | want to get good lot of
'em-maybe six or seven dollars worth, and if
you -"
"Give me three hundred dollars worth OF
threes," says bank-clerk, who has been waiting
the issue Of this collOquy with an amused grin on
his cOuntenance, but who can't spare the time to
enjoy it longer, depositing on the counter double
handful of hafeagles. The gentleman from Hi
nois eyes the glttering pile with eager looks, and
watches the clerk as he carefully counts over the
hundred sheets.
''Don't they allow you no dscount?"
"No, SIR says the bank clerk; ''you don't catch
Uncle allowing dlScOUnt-uOn't { in
that way"
gam eHectuallv disspated, departs for Wall street
to have his "linois m0ney-go0d as wheat" con.
verted Cat modest "shave") into more available
currency.
Presently in steps an unmistakable Cocknev-a
very recent arrival. ''Oh, give queens ead,
please, laying on the counter halfcrown.
"Give you what, sir what's queens 'ead ?'
says the puzzled clerk.
ooh, queens 'ead, you know-a-a thingumy
what dye call it-a stamp, you know-a shillin'
stamp-Pve Just harrived 'ere by the Hasia you
know, and | want to send this letter 'ome, to let
the hold folks know PVe got ere safe, you know
ere's 'alf crown, | 'aven't shiln', you know"
He is directed to the retail stamp window, with
a recommendation there to supply himself with a
a cent stamp as substitute for "queen's ead."
Next comes gentleman of the 'cOlOred perSua-
SiOn," who gravey requests to be furnished with
"tyyO hundred white antelopes," and who rejects
with scorn a suggestion that he might have misun-
derstood his orders. So resisting the temptation
to refer him TO a menageTie the only place where
his geological tastes might chance to be gratitied
the clerk supplies him with the two hundred en-.
velOpes, and he departs triumphant.
Many such odd little scenes these vary the
somewhat monotonous routine of the business of
the wholesale department
The National Convention OF Union Prayer Meet
ings has been in session in Washington for several
days past. On Tuesday the officers were elected as
follows: President--W II. FowIe, Alexandria.
Vice Presdents-Rev. DR.. Spring, New York; Mr..
Il. Hamlin, Boston; DR.. Armitage, Baltimore; Mr..
James Gordon, Richmond; Rev. DR.. Samson, Wash
ington. Secretaries--Rev. II. Morrison, New
York; Rev. J. G. Butler, Washington.
The death of the luke of Norfolk is announced
by the last foreign arrival. The deceased nUbleman
was the fourteenth Duke of Norfolk, was bora in
1915, and had succeeded to the dukedom only four
years ago. lie was a son in-law OF Lord Lyons
His and heir, the Earl of Arundel and Surrey,
is boy only thirteen years old.
The Empress Eugenie's health has preceptiby
improved since her arrival in Scotland. She has
been everywhere recognized and welcomed with
sentiments Of respectful sympathy. At Edinburg
the Provost presented her with address, and a
Scotch regiment with its band serenaied her at the
hotel where she was staying.
The japanese swindei is again before the Coun-
ellis of New York. 1t has been moved to cut down
the appropriation from Sl05 900 to 100000. 1t
appears that only two "items" have been made
known outside OF the committee. These a
lot of bouquets at $40 each, and 50, 900 for the
steamboat Aida to AmbOy and back.
The presidents of five of the great lines of rail
road have appointed a meeting at Wizards Hotel,
Washington City, on the 18th of January next
The President OF the Grand Trunk Rail- oad is also
to meet with them. The business is understood to
be Of great Importance.
The Washington Star says that the British
Queens thanks to the American people for their
Kindness to her son have been communicated by
Lord Lyons to Secretary Cass. The letter over
flows with gratitude and courtesy.
Mr.. Hawkins, the member of Congress from
Florida, who so pertnaciOusly refused to serve on
the Committee of Thirty ythree, is a native Of New
York.
Hon. G. l.. Vallandigham, of Ohio, was to deliver
a lecture in Richmond last evening. Subject: The
Bible considered apart from its character as reli-
giOus book.
DR.. Wilson, the Alderman elect for ward s. Bos
ton, is a native of Baltimore, but has resided in
that city some twenty-five years. He is very
strong Union man.
The South Caroliniaa says: So far, there has not
State Our Convention will, therefore, we have
no doubt, be unanimous for immediate secession.
The Mayor of Mobile has issued a proclamation
warning the citizens against joining the Vigilance
Committees now forming in some of the Southern
cities.
The Raleigh Standard (Democrat) says that the
speech of Mr.. Clingman in the Senate, last week,
the sentiments of the people of North
Carolina.
A bill has been introduced in the Georgia Legis-