Chapter XII

Palmer's Plan--Objections--First Mail-coach--Post-coach--Increase in
Rates of Postage--Restrictions upon Franking--Obstruction alleged--
Anthony Todd--Transitional Period--Stages--Earlier Closing of the General
Post Office--Emoluments from Bell Ringing--Internal Dissensions--
Tankerville's Dismissal--Corruption--Surveyors--Conditions of Palmer's
Appointment--Abuses--Fees and Perquisites--Expresses--Registration--
Palmer's Improvements--Packet Service--Smuggling--Flagitious
Expenditure--Todd's Emoluments--Pitt's Indisposition to expose Abuses--
Lord Walsingham--Daniel Braithwaite--Essays in Cause of Economy--Milford
Haven and Waterford Packets--Pitiable Condition of the Clerks
of the Roads--The King's Coach--His Illness and Prayer for his Recovery--
Strange Treatment of Official Papers--George Chalmers--Palmer's
Jealousy--Mail Guards--Creation of a Newspaper Office--Walsingham
attempts to check Irregularities--His inveterate Habit of Scribbling--
Exposes an Attempt at Imposition--Curious Practice as regards the
Delivery of Foreign Letters--Earl of Chesterfield--Insubordination on
Palmer's Part--Appeal to Pitt--Charles Bonnor--Palmer's Suspension--
Chesterfield's Letter--Interview with Pitt--A Second Interview--Palmer's
Dismissal--Bonnor's Promotion 208