Anno Regni Caroli II. Regis, Angliæ, Scotiæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, duodecimo.
CAP. XXXV.
An Act erecting and establishing a Post - Office.
"WHEREAS for the maintenance of mutual Correspondencies, and prevention of many Inconveniencies happening by private posts, several publick Post-Offices have been heretofore erected for carrying and recarrying of Letters by Posts, to, and from all parts and places within England, Scotland and Ireland, and several parts beyond the Seas; the well ordering whereof is a matter of general concernment, and of great advantage, as well for preservation of Trade and Commerce, as otherwise: To the end therefore that the same may be managed so, that speedy and safe dispatches may be had, which is most likely to be effected, by erecting one General Post-Office for that purpose;"
II. Be it therefore enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, and the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, That there be from henceforth one General Letter-Office erected and established in some convenient place within the City of London, from whence all Letters and Pacquets whatsoever may be with speed and expedition sent unto any part of the Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, or any other of his Maiesties Dominions, or unto any Kingdom or Country beyond the Seas; at which said Office all Returns and Answers may be likewise received; And that one Master of the said General Letter-Office shall be from time to time appointed by the Kings Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, to be made or constituted by Letters-Patent, under the Great-Seal of England, by the name and stile of his Majesties Post-Master General; which said Master of the said Office, and his Deputy and Deputies, by him thereunto sufficiently authorized, and his and their Servants and Agents, and no other person or persons whatsoever, shall from time to time have the receiving, taking up, ordering, dispatching, sending poll or with speed, and delivering of all Letters and Pacquets whatsoever, which shall from time to time be sent to and from all and every the parts and places of England, Scotland and Ireland, and other his Majesties Dominions, and to and from all and every the Kingdoms and Countries beyond the Seas, where he shall settle or cause to be settled Posts or Running Messengers for that purpose; Except such Letters as shall be sent by Coaches, common known Carriers of Goods by Carts, Waggons or Pack-horses, and shall be carried along with their Carts, Waggons and Pack-horses respectively; And except Letters of Merchants and Mailers which shall be sent by any Matters of any Ships, Barques, or other Vessel of Merchandize, or by any other person employed by them for the carriage of such Letters aforesaid, according to the respective directions; And also except Letters to be sent by any private friend or friends in their ways of Journey or Travel, or by any messenger or messengers sent on purpose, for or concerning the private affairs of any person or persons: And also except messengers who carry and recarry Commissions, or the Return thereof, Affidavits, Writs, Process or Proceedings, or the Returns thereof issuing out of any Court.
III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That such Post-Master General for the time being, as shall from time to time be made and constituted by his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, and the respective Deputies, or Substitutes of such Post-Master General, and no other person or persons whatsoever, shall prepare and provide Horses and Furniture to let to him unto all Through-Posts, and persons riding in Post by Commission, or without, to and from all and every the parts and places of England, Scotland, and Ireland, where any Post-roads are, or shall be settled and established.
IV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful to and for such Post-Master General to be constituted and appointed, as aforesaid, and his deputy and deputies by him thereunto sufficiently authorized, to demand, have, receive and take for the portage and conveyance of all such Letters which he shall so convey, carry or send Post, as aforesaid, and for the providing; and furnishing Horses for Through-posts, or persons riding in Post, as aforesaid, according to the several rates and turns of lawful English money hereafter-mentioned, not to exceed the same, (that is to say) For the port of every Letter not exceeding one sheet, to or from any place not exceeding four-score English Miles distant from the place where such Letter shall be received, two pence; And for the like port of every Letter not exceeding two sheets, four pence; And for the like port of every pacquet of Letters, proportionably unto the said Rates; And for the like port of every pacquet of Writs, Deeds, or other things, after the rate of eight pence for every Ounce-weight; And for the port of every Letter not exceeding one sheet, above the distance of four-scorce English miles from the place where the same shall be received, three pence; And for the like port of a Letter, not exceeding two sheets, six pence; and proportionally to the same rates, for the like port of all pacquets of Letters, and for the like port of every other pacquet of Writs, Deeds, or other things, after the rate of twelve pence of English money for every Ounce-weight; And for the port of every Letter not exceeding one
sheet, from London unto the Town of Berwick, or from thence to the City of London, three pence of
