New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-28
FOREIGN DUE STA MPS.
CURIOUS MARKINGS OF A VENEZUELAN
LETTER SENT HERE.

CURIOUS MARKINGS OF A VENEZUELAN
LETTER SENT HERE.
Letters and newspapers from foreign countries. es-
recally when they in wrappers which nave
been profusey decorated with stamps. are always
interesting. Mail matter OF that kind from NeheZ-
uela is doubly at this time, because OF the
STRAINED relations" growing OF the boundary
question.
A letter was received in this city from there a
few days ago which would lead the unnitated to be-
lieve that the Government of Venezuela was not
only looking into the letters which come from there
20 the United States but that 1t s imposing an
extra tax on United States correspondence. The
letter bore a five centimos stamp about one cent?,
which was cancelled with green ink Across the top
of the envelope the following stamped in purple
ink: CLOSED against inspection On. Y. p. OF under
this appeared the words in black ink Collect post
age. cents"
There was also a T stamped the face OF the
envelope. and the back decorated with two
Postage due stamps. one for five cents and one
for three cents. One corner OF the envelope mad
been cut off and the addressee had to pay eight
cents before the letter delivered TO him.
While all this may have appeared 10 show that the
letter had been looked into before 1t was forwarded,
and thai eight cents was being demanded for
nothing TOR the letter light and under single
postage .ghO there was really nothing wrong or
unusual aaout the much-decorated letter.
Deputy postmaster Gayer explained that In
many Of .fe South American States the inland
postal Nations permit sending sealed letters at
reduced rates when one corner of the envelope has
been clipped. The letter in question was undoubtedly
sent by a person who did not know that the inter
national postal regulations make no such provision.
IT known, however TO the postal authorities
where the letter mailed. because they branded
Il IT. which. according to the postal laws indi-
Gates that 1t was considered In that country not
fully prepaid. and that additional postage is to be
collected on delivery. The amount to be collected
ipdic tad ny he
This meant 20 centmos. equal to four cents. But
when a. letter comes to the New-York Postohice,
which has been insuticiently stamped in for
elgn country, the New-York Postofice collects
double the amount indicated by the foreign office
This charge Is based the following postal regu-
lation: wholly unpaid letters are liable on de-
livery TO charge Of 10 cents per na
ali kinds are liable 10 charge Of double the
amount Of the shOr, payment" 49,, vovo.,
Postoffice from foreign countries with the letter
letters gIlmble when they have pay double rates
before the posoffice authorities VIII deliver them
postage stamps which have no value for the pay
nsa IF o by !" 5ss
Of letters come from foreign countries with United
States stamps attached U Gour h aney ~erS e 9
they were used. and the letters are branded o.
of errors on the part OF the senders of mail com
pensates the Government In part for the labor o1t
who do recognize the value OF the international
In a circular Issued by the Government as to for
eign malls. the senders are asked TO make addresses
eaTeepes 10 AVOID using sealing wax Oh covers
as letters sealed often adhere to each other and
and then. TO show how the Postal Depar ,ment does
Us share toward the Of All Of KINDS 1ds
Except articles contained In parcel post mails
Son viii Ir Ss as at the request the
dressee from postofEce to another, or to any
foreign country without additional charge for post