Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-03-10

the ldte Vi postage on all letters not trans
mltted through the mails of the United States,
but delivered through the post office or its
carriers, commonly described as local or drop
letters, and not exceeding one-haf ounce in
weight, shall be uniform at two cents. and
an additional rate for each half ounce or frac-
ton thereof OF additional weight, to be in all
cases prepaid by postage stamps affixed to
the envelope OF such letter; but no extra pos
tage or carriers fee shall hereafter be charg-
ed or collected upon letters delivered by car.
riers, nor upon letters collected by them for
mailing or for delivery.
Sect. "a. And be it further enacted, that
the domestic letter rate of postage is estab-
lished for all mailable matter which is wholly
or partly in writing, or is so marked as to con-
vey any other or further intelligence or infor-
nation than is conveyed by the original print
in the case of printed matter, or which is sent
in violation of law or regulations of the de-
partment touching the enclosure of matter
which may be sent at less than letter rates,
and for all matter introduced into the mails
for which no different rate is provided by law:
Provided, that book manuscripts and correct
ed proofs passing between authors and pub
fishers may pass atthe rate of printed matter
Andprovlded, further, that publishers of news
papers and periodicals may print or write up
IN their publications sent to regular subscrib
ers the address of subscribers and the date
when the subscription expires, and may en-
close Herewith receipts for payment and bills
for subscription thereto.
Sect. %. And be it further, enacted, that
on all matter not enumerated as mailable mat
ter, and to which no specific rates of postage
are assigned, and which shall nevertheless be
mailed, the rate, if the same shall be forward
ed, is established at the rate of letter postage
nd ha n tlar l,nA
! if any matter on which by law the postage is
required to be prepaid at the mailing Office
shall reach is destination without such pre-
payment, double the prepaid rates shall be
| charged and collected on delivery.
Sect. u. And be it further enacted, that
the postmaster general is authorized to pro-
| vide by uniform regulation for transmitting
unpaid and daily certified letters of soldiers,
sailors, and marines in the service of the
United States to destination; and all other let
tiers which from accident or neglect appear to
have been deposited for mailing without pre-
| payment OF postage, where, in the latter class,
the writer Is not known, or cannot be prompt
| ly advised of his default; but in all cases of
letters not prepaid, except certified soldiers
and naval letters, the same shall be charged
with double rates Of postage, to be collected
on delivery.
| Sect. rs. And be it further enacted, that
when any writer of letter on which the
postage is prepaid shall endorse in writing or
in print upon the outside thereof his name and
address, with request that the same be re-
turned to him if not called for or delivered
within any number of days, (not to exceed
thirty days,) any such letter shall not be adj
vertised nor treated as a dead letter at the
| office addressed. but shall be returned as re-
quested, charged with the proper postage at
the prepaid rate, to be collected on the return
delivery; and if not then delivered, shall be
treated as dead letter.
Sect. 30. And be it further enacted, that
the postage on returned dead letters, not reg
istered as valuable, shall be three cents for
the single rate; on returned dead letters,
registered as valuable, double rates shall be
charged
Sect. 80. And be it further enacted, that
all letters directed to any person not found at
the office addressed may be forwarded to any
other office where he may be found, with ad.
| dltlonal charge of postage therefor.
Sect. 81. And be it further enacted, that
the postmaster general shall have authority
to pay, or cause to be paid, a sum not exceed
| ing two cents each for all letters conveyed in
| any vessel or steamboat, not employ ed in
carrying the mall from one port or place to
any other port or place In the United States,
or from any foreign port to any port within
the United States, subject to such regulations
as the postmaster general may prescribe. But
all such letters shall be deposited in the post
office at the port of arrival, for mailing or de-
livery; and if for delivery within the United
States shall be rated with double rates of pos
tage, which shall cover the fee paid to the
vessel. No fees shall be allowed for letters
| collected by carrier on a mail route.
Al -, koI @I,o&
for the greater security of valuable letters
posted for transmission in the mails of the
United States, the postmaster general is au-
thorized to establish uniform plan for the
registration of such letters on application of
parties posting the same, and to require the
payment of the postage, as well as a registra-
ton fee not exceeding twenty cents, on every
such letter or packet, to be accounted for by
postmasters receiving the same in such man
ner as the postmaster general shall direct
Provided, however, that such registration shall
not be compulsory, and it shall not render the
post office department or its revenue liable for
the loss of such letters or packets, or the con-
tents thereof; and provision shall be made by
regulation for a return receipt to the writer,
showing to whom and when such registered
letter was delivered, which receipt shall be
received in the courts as prima facie evidence
of such delivery.
Sect. SO. And be it further enacted, that the
maximum standard weight for the single rate
of postage on matter classed as printed mat
ter, and also on that classed as miscellaneous
matter, is four ounces avoirdupois, subject to
the exception in the next following section
provided.
Sect. 81. And be it further enacted, that
the rate of postage on transient mailable mat
ter of the second class, and also on all miscel-
laneous mailable matter of the third class,
Except circulars and books shall be two
cents for each four ounces or fraction thereof
contained in any one package to one address
and such postage shall in all cases be fully
prepaid by stamps, plainly affixed TO the wrap
per thereof. Double these rates shall be
charged for books. Unsealed circulars not
exceeding three in number shall pass at the
single rate of two cents, and in that proper
ton for greater number, adding one rate for
three circulars, or less number thereof di-
rected to one address. No extra postage shall
be charged for a card printed or impressed
upon an envelope or wrapper. These rates
must in all cases be prepaid by stamps.
Sect. 30. And be it further enacted, that
the rate of postage upon mailable matter of
the second class, issued once week or more
frequently from known Office of publication,
and sent to regular subscribers, shall be as
follows upon newspapers and other periodi-
cal publications, each not exceeding the stand
ard weight offour ounces, and passing through
the mails or post offices of the United States
Al. Al, q