Chapter XIII: Section 1: , Act of March 2, 1847, permitted deputy postmasters whose

compensation for last preceding year did not exceed $200 to send letters written by himself, and to receive through the mail written communications addressed to himself in his private business which shall not exceed ½ ounce, free of postage. Regulation 293, allowed every deputy postmaster to frank and receive free all his letters, public and private, subject to the ½-ounce weight. This privilege did not extend to his wife or any other member of the family.

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Paid letters might be forwarded by private opportunity to places where no post offices were established.

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Postmasters were not allowed to give credit for postage, but if it was done, letters addressed to such persons on which postage was paid or tendered by him could not be detained.

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Act of August 31, 1852, allowed letters enclosed in _stamped envelopes_ to be sent out of the mail.

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By joint resolution of February 20, 1845, the Postmaster General could make contracts with railroads for carrying the mail without advertising for bids as was then the custom.

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The postmaster, or one of his assistants, was required, before office was swept or otherwise cleaned of rubbish, to collect and examine all waste paper in order to guard against possibility of loss of letters or mail matter by falling to the floor or mingling with waste paper. Observance of rule was strictly enjoined, its violation constituted a grave offense. They were also admonished in mailing letters or packets to use all wrapping paper fit to be used again, and the sale of such paper was strictly forbidden.

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As late as 1843, postmasters were officially known as “Deputy” postmasters following the old custom from the beginning.

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If a newspaper began to arrive at the office in the course of the post office quarter, deputy postmasters should demand postage in advance of the subscriber up to the end of that quarter. At the end of a quarter, they might refund postage on so many of the newspapers as had not arrived during the quarter. Advance payment of postage was invariably demanded and unless complied with no papers should be delivered even though the postage was tendered on them singly. (Act, 1825.)

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Carriers were required to receive and convey a letter (and the money for its postage when tendered) if delivered more than a mile from a post office and to hand it with the money, if paid, into the first post office at which carrier arrived. A penalty of $50 attached on failure to do so. (Act of 1825).

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Postmasters were forbidden to show any preference between one person and another in the arrival or delivery of mail by the unlawful detention of any letters, packages, pamphlet or newspaper. A fine not exceeding $500 was the penalty and the person was forever prohibited from serving as postmaster. (Act of July 2, 1836.)

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A ferryman who by wilful neglect or refusal to transport mail across a ferry thereby delaying the same, was to be fined $10 for every ten minutes of such delay. (Act of March 3, 1825.)

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Letter carriers employed at such post offices as the Postmaster General may direct, were allowed to collect 2 cents for each letter they delivered. For letters lodged at the post office by direction of the individual, the postmaster was to receive 1 cent; newspapers and pamphlets ½ cent; letters received by carrier for deposit in a post office, 2 cents, to be paid to the postmaster for a fund for compensation of carriers. This was known as the “penny post” and was in vogue until the day of free delivery.

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