by a reſolution of the commons[1], declaring, that the office of poſt-maſter is and ought to be in the ſole power and diſpoſal of the parliament. This office was afterwards farmed by one Manley in 1654[2]. But, in 1657, a regular poſt-office was erected by the authority of the protector and his parliament, upon nearly the ſame model as has been ever ſince adopted, with the ſame rates of portage as were continued till the reign of queen Anne[3]. After the reſtoration a ſimilar office, with ſome improvements, was eſtabliſhed by ſtatute 12 Car. II. c. 35. but the rates of letters were altered, and ſome farther regulations added, by the ſtatutes 9 Ann. c. 10. 6 Geo. I. c. 21. 26 Geo. II. c. 12. and 5 Geo. III. c. 25. and penalties were enacted, in order to confine the carriage of letters to the public office only, except in ſome few caſes: a proviſion, which is abſolutely neceſſary; for nothing but an excluſive right can ſupport an office of this ſort: many rival independent offices would only ſerve to ruin one another. The privilege of letters coming free of portage, to and from members of parliament, was claimed by the houſe of commons in 1660, when the firſt legal ſettlement of the preſent port-office was made[4]; but afterwards dropped[5] upon a private aſſurance from the crown, that this privilege ſhould be allowed the members[6]. And accordingly a warrant was conſtantly iſſued to the poſt-maſter-general[7], directing the allowance thereof, to the extent of two ounces in weight: till at length it was expreſſly confirmed by ſtatute 4 Geo. III. c. 24; which adds many new regulations, rendered neceſſary by the great abuſes crept into the practice of franking; whereby the annual amount of franked letters had gradually increaſed, from 23600𝑙. in the year 1715, to 170700𝑙. in the year 1763[8]. There cannot be deviſed a more eligible method, than this, of raiſing money upon the ſubject: for therein both the government and the people find a mutual benefit. The government acquires a large revenue; and the
