The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-12
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WARRINGTON. Sept 1.-THE Postmaster.G Cen
eral has recently received. through the agency
oGthc Bureau Of the international Postal Union,
an interesting sketch OF a postal contract
executed in the year 1917. This contract IS
supposed TO be the first OF its kind, and Is at
least the oldest now ex;ant. In 1917 Franz Won
Taxis. the talented founder Of an International
postal system in the domain Of the Austro-
Spanish universal monarchy. died without
issue, ard the management OF the post passed
into the hands OF his three nephcws, the broth.
es Johann Ba~Itista, Mnfeo. and Simon. The
first resided in the Netherlands, while Nadeo
had the post in Italy and Simon the one in
Spain. A patent signed at Ghont on June II,
1920, by Charles v. appointed Johann Post.
master.Gcneral, and put the entire postal service
in his banda The contract had been signed at
Valladoud on Dec. 20. 1917. between Charles
V. and Johann and Maffco Won Ta1ia. 1t deals
with the spanish, NetherlAnd, and German
posts, as well as with the transit route crossing
France from north to south. but no ment ion is
made Of the Italian posts, which extended as
far AS Rome aud Naples. The latter were prob.
s6Iy resnisted by a separate contraot with
."'The following" says the contra ct, ARE the
points and agreements made by the Catholic
King with his chief Postmaster for the main.
tenancc of the posts from his Spanish Kingdoms
t 20 nance imnsS ana c1 ,he Ne,heFIahds; ana ths1oe to
speedy conveyance, which, by the will Of the
during the validity Of this agreement"
This document, $50 years old, is interesting
was reaching the zenith OF her power. The
riches OF America were becoming known, and
SSg sr ,os owned Sev. almost *. all ! Of the New World;
lands, Ia d. and TRda.h the King Of spain was the successor
transported to him in safety and with all posi-.
Bile haste. A glance at the, document shows
that while private mail might be carried, the
post was principally for the benefit OF the King
a%tofasa I'd . Pos piass; 's sSsi me be e%On a5iiss;d ith 70
King may be within, his said spanish nse'S King
place in these countries where his S~tatthaIter
and his Council shall: at the time being sojourn.
the aforementioned Postmasters shalt be
p piaee within to ST bs Son sRsiGtsl I gOs Ms, to T ghs ! R,1S
OF France may be-"
To perform this service the Postmaster had
to the campcot the King OF France. From
brussels 10. Paris. In the summer, the post had
to go in thlrty-six hours; in winter in forty
hours. To Blois the time was fifty hours in
sapn sst and l,s sixty in winter: Three ard a half
summer and four days in winter. The Span
ish mail from Burgos to Brussels had TO be car
tional day was allowed in the winter. Tho
mail for Germany went from Brussels to Inns
bruck in five days in summer and six in win
p%ortance, as. the Postmaster was cautioned to
use ali possible speed.
Provisions were made in the contract for
tors, who were cautioned not 10 despatch the
have precedence was recognized. and all per
sons were warned not to interfere with It's pas
sage, but to aid with horses and means the car
riers, for which they would be recompensed in
a suitable manner; The King bound himself
TO procure from the, King Of France and all
tory hts mall; should pass, permission En' for such
couriers TO have free entrance TO closed
1 plSees as fsF 5efs, t Rsss Ss., Of and 5iy ;sss' and! and o sS.g;
be supplied with provisions and horses as they
shall require, on payment, at reasonable prices,
no delay or hindrance may arrest the course
monopoly Of the posts and all others were for.
hidden 10 keep post horses without their knowl.
edge and permission. For the Post Oface work
they b were TO receive $500 gold ,ducats, about
100000 francs at present value, annually.
SSharie5 y; apptars 70 have tetn soinswhat
posts, but had no scrupies on drawing o on his
dG nasttsh ., snSd|ef ct he prevtded that $500
the Netherlands sePain sc but pt' Il fSr s sps pea aRa a q Isss OF OF
Pc, they should, be paid by The Setherlands.
showing how much ne could get for Els money
when he tried ordered that. when he required,
the mails should be DESPATCHED AZ a greater
and that when: the King. his Council. or his
Statthalter desired to send q courier. cavalier.
should travel ct half rates. This concession
shall DO available for the couriers of the Staff
ness requires 4, and for the King whenever he
The King reserved to himself the right 10 sus-
pend any station or stations whenever he saw
NJ, The contract has affixed the signature
Sha.ies, and Is countcrsigned "Auarte."