The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-06-09
PROGRESS Of Centuries.
How the Mall Was RecaiVed Here Two
Hundred Years Ago.
WONDERFUL CHANGE IN METHODS
Today Marks the Anniversary OF tho Es-
tablishment of Regular Mail Commun-
ication Between Providence aud Bos-

Yesterday over 5000 letters and as
many more papers went through the
Providence postofIice. To accomplish
this work. there is a large force OF en-
ployes required, including between
thirty aud forty carriers. u doz'n or more
postal clerks, and the large staff OF mail
receivers and sorters. The system is so
perfect that to hear OF n letter going
astray would not only cause surprise and
be disbelieved but IL u letter is not Ie-
ceived within just certain time
limit the 10Th century hustlers would
he at the postmaster's door to know
"why this delay" FCuteen mails day
between. here aud Boston and two hours
at most between writing aud receiving,
is this years record.
1t is just 200 years ago today that the
first batch II letters ever brought into
this community by postal route, arrived
here by the " Kings Post. "
The Early Mail Carrier.
The "King's Post" AN important
sounding name-was n solitary rider who
carried few pounds of mail strapped
across his saddle pommel and VINO
came from Boston leisurely on horse.
back.
Previous to that time the residents of
these Provi lence Plantations and Bos-
ton, when they wished to communicate
with each other were Obliged to inplore
the aid Of some friend about To travel
that way and entrusa to him the COM
munications. Oftentimes the friend
would not be ready to make such long
journey for some time and naturally the
mail was very irregular.
Playing Postman for a Neighborhood.
Fortunat the duty of playing post
man for ones friends and for the friends
of ones friends, was well und 'rstooi and
appreciated by everybody, and IA nee, s.
sary accompaniment OF Journey To Bos-
ton or elsewhere, was batch OF precio US
letters.
But the "King's Post" was to be reg
ular, and extended from Boston To Vir-
ginii via New York. The rider came
from Boston, crossing tho SeekoDk at
Eimund's Ferry at Narrow passage, and
going over the great Salt river on the
line OF the "Pequot path" toward Con
nectcut. This is now %her. the WASH,
in2ton bridge is over the Seekonk, aud
over the Provid nee river at point
where Meeting street now is.
The Rates of Postage High.
The rates of postage were rather high
from Boston to Providence l2 cents per
letter. and in that proportion to other
system after letter had laid In the post
office two days uncalled for, and deliv-
cry cost one penny extra. No trace can
he found of the first postofiice in Prov-
dence. although in this same year, with
the beginning Of the postal route a let
ter's patenG Was .rhnted by William and
Mary To Thomas Neal to erect and es-
tabiish IAN Office or olIlc, s for the recev-
ing and dispat ching letters aud packets"
i'll America for twenty-one years.
First Real Postmaster.
The old " Kings Post" continued until
1853, when IL gave way to the colonial
postal service established by Dr. Frank
lin. Samuel Cnace was probably the
first real postmaster OF Providence, a. d
In February OF same year opened the firsI
postoiIice on the vest side Of the town
street, now North Main street, opposite
the present st. Johns church. In 1866
the postoflicc was removed from this -
cation TO lover against the court house."
Shakespeare Head, on King (Meeting)
ser, ct. In 1I6S IL was again moved ~
Market square.
Aud so the postal system grew from
the crude Kings POST To the stage
coach system au from that to the pres
ent railroad system. Then some iifty,
and at most seventy-iive. letters were
sent between here aud Boston a week.
Now each days sees 10000 letters and as
many packages aud papers carried out of
tine postoiiice on WeybOsseS street. Then
one or two mails week, now fourteen
day. Then several days time WAS oe-
cupcd In the sending OF a let er between
the two cities. Now IL Is but matter
of 90 minutes. aside from the time re-
CURED to write aud posting ana delivery.
Then IL cents was the rate of postage;
now only cents