NUMBER OF POST OFFICES AND MILES OF POST ROADS IN THE U. & In 1790 there were but 75 post offices, and 1,875 m. of post-roads Samuel Osgood, Mass., Sept. 26, 1789. Montgomery Blair, Md., March 7, 1861. Alexander W. Randall, Wis., July 15, 1866. Marshall Jewell, July, 1874. Jas. N. Tyner, Ind., 1876. D. M. Key, Tenn., 1877. CHAPTER XL. RATES OF POSTAGE IN THE UNITED STATES On each letter weighing not more than one-half ounce three cents, and for each additional half-ounce or fraction thereof, three cents. All packages containing matter not in itself chargeable with letter postage, but in which is enclosed or concealed any letter, memorandum, or other thing chargeable with letter postage, or upon which is any writing or memorandum; and manuscripts for publication in newspapers, magazines, or periodicals three cents for each half-ounce or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to four pounds. On local or drop letters, at offices where free delivery by carriers is established, two cents for each half ounce or fraction thereof; and where free delivery has not been established, one cent for each half ounce or fraction thereof. On seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots and scions, one cent for each ounce or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to four pounds. On pamphlets and occasional publications, all transient printed matter, unsealed circulars, book manuscripts, proof sheets, corrected proof sheets, maps, prints, engravings, etc., one 'cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to four pounds. On samples of ores, metals, minerals, and merchandise, one cent for each ounce or fraction thereof. Weight of packages limited to four pounds. On books, one cent for each two ounces or fraction thereof, Weight of packages limited to four pounds. All domestic matter, including newspapers, magazines and periodicals sent to actual subscribers from a known office of publication, must be prepaid by postage stamps affixed thereto. Newspapers issued weekly, or oftener, and sent from publishers or news agents, to subscribers or dealers, two cents per pound; and if not issued as often as weekly, three cents per pound. Papers sent miscellaneously, and not regularly, postage the same as on books. The franking privilege has been restored to the following extent, viz.: MAIL MATTERS THAT MAY BE SENT FREE. 1. All public documents printed by order of Congress. 2. Seeds transmitted by the Commissioner of Agriculture, or by any member of Congress, procured from that depart ment. 3. Letters and packages relating exclusively to the Government of the United States, mailed only from an Executive Department, or a bureau or office of the same, in specially printed envelopes. 4. The President and Vice-President of the United States and members of Congress may frank written and printed communications, not exceeding two ounces in weight. 5. All newspapers sent to subscribers within the county where printed. Prepayment optional in case of country marked with a star, embraced in the Postal Union Treaty of 1874. When not prepaid, double rates are collected. CHAPTER XLI. REGISTERED AND DEAD LETTERS. REGISTERED LETTERS. Within the last few years the Registered Letter Department has grown to enormous proportions. In former times the registering of a letter was only a notice to those handling it that it was valuable, the process being to simply paste a Registered Letter Bill to the letter and place it among the ordinary letters. If any officer was dishonest and wanted the letter, all he had to do was to take it and destroy the bill, and the chances of detection were very slight. The fee was small and the safety smaller. Under the new system which has been in operation some few years, and is copied from England, the safe |