puty post

masters such
compensation
judge reason-

as he may

able.

post-master general shall be authorised to al- Post-master low the post-masters at the several distribu- general may ting offices such compensation as shall be allow the deadequate to their several services in that respect: Provided, That the same shall not ex. ceed, in the whole, five per cent. on the whole amount of postages on lettters and newspapers received for distribution: Provided also, • That if the number of mails, received at and despatched from any such office is not actually increased by the distributing system, then no additional allowance shall be made to the post-master.

to be report

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That whenever it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the post-master general that any road established, or which may hereafter be established as a post road, is obstructed by Post roads fences, gates or bars, or other than those obstructed by lawfully used on turnpike roads to collect ates their toll, and not kept in good repair, with ed by the proper bridges and ferries where the same general to may be necessary, it shall be the duty of the Congress, post-master general to report the same to Con- that others gress with such information as can be obtain- stituted. ed, to enable Congress to establish some other road instead of it in the same main direction.

post-master

may

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall knowingly and wilfully ob- Penalties for struct or retard the passage of the mail, or of obstructing or retarding any driver or carrier, or of any horse or car- the mail. riage carrying the same, he shall, upon conviction, for every such offence, pay a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars: and if any ferry-man shall by wilful negligence or refusal to transport the mail across any ferry, .delay the same, he shall forfeit and pay for each ten minutes that the same shall be so delayed, a sum not exceeding ten dollars.

:

:

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the post-master general Proposals for to give public notice in one or more of the news-papers published at the seat of governbe published ment of the United States, and in one or master gene. more of the newspapers published in the state

contracts to

by the post-:

ral.

contracts and proposals to be lodged in

or states or territory, where the contract is to be performed, for at least six weeks before entering into any contract for carrying the mail, that such contract is intended to be made, and the day on which it is to be concluded, describing the places from and to which such mail is to be conveyed, the time at which it is to be made up, and the day and hour at which it is to be delivered. He shall

moreover within ninety days after the making Duplicates of of any contract, lodge a duplicate thereof, together with the proposals which he shall have received respecting it, in the office of the comptroller of the treasury of the United States: Provided, That no contract shall be entered into for a longer term than four years.

the comptrol

lers office.

Proviso.

Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That Post-masters every post-master shall keep an office in which to have regu- one or more persons shall attend on every day on which a mail, or bag, or other packet or their offices. parcel of letters shall arrive by land or water, Prescribed by as well as on other days, at such hours as the ter general. post-master general shall direct, for the purpose of performing the duties thereof; and it shall be the duty of the post-master at all reasonable hours, on every day of the week, Regulations to deliver, on demand, any letter, paper or concerning packet, to the person entitled to or authorised to receive the same; and all letters brought to any post-office half an hour before the time of making up the mail at such office shall be

forwarded therein; except at such post-offices, where, in the opinion of the post-master general, it requires more time for making up the mail, and which he shall accordingly prescribe; but this shall in no case exceed one hour.

Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That no fees or perquisites shall be received by No fees or any person employed in the general post-office perquisites on account of the duties to be performed by the general virtue of his appointment. post office.

Sec. 11. And be it further enacted, That the following rates of postage shall be char- Rates of ged on all letters and packets (excepting postage. such as are hereinafter exempted) conveyed by the posts of the United States, viz: for every letter composed of a single sheet of paper, conveyed not exceeding forty miles, eight cents; over forty, and not exceeding ninety miles, ten cents; over ninety, and not exceeding one hundred and fifty miles, twelve and a half cents; over one hundred and fifty, and not exceeding three hundred miles, seventeen cents; over three hundred, and not exceeding five hundred miles, twen. ty cents; over five hundred miles, twentyfive cents. And for every double letter, or one composed of two pieces of paper, double those rates; and for every triple letter, or one composed of three pieces of paper, triple those rates; and for every packet composed of four or more pieces of paper, or other thing, and weighing one ounce avoirdupois, quadruple those rates, and in that proportion for all greater weight: Provided, That no packet of letters conveyed by the water mails shall be charged with more than quadruple postage, unless the same shall actually contain more than four distinct letters. No

in

post-master shall be obliged to receive, to be conveyed by the mail, any packet which shall weigh more than three pounds: And the postage marked on any letter or package, and charged on the post bill, which may accompany the same, shall, in favour of the post-master who delivers out said letter, be conclusive evidence of the lawful postage thereon, unless said letter, shall be opened in the presence of the said post-master or his clerk.

Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, That Postage up- every letter or packet brought into the Unit..

on foreign letters and

those carried

coastwise.

Penalties for

authorised rates of

postage,

ed States, or carried from one port therein to another, in any private ship or vessel, shall be charged with six cents, if delivered at the post-office where the same shall arrive, and if destined to be conveyed by post to any other place, with two cents added to the ordinary rates of postage.

Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That if any post-master, or other person authorised charging un- by the post-master general, to receive the postage of letters, shall fraudulently demand or receive any rate of postage, or gratuity or reward, other than is provided by this act, for the postage of letters or packets; on conviction thereof he shall forfeit for every such offence, one hundred dollars, and shall be rendered incapable of holding any office or appointment under the government of the Unit. ed States.

1

Sec. 14. And be it further enacted, That no ship or vessel arriving at any port within the post-mas- the United States, where a post-office is esters from vessels, pretablished, shall be permitted to report, make vious to their entry, or break bulk, until the master or combeing per- mander shall have delivered to the post-master port. &c. &c. all letters directed to any person or persons

1

take an oath

within the United States, or the territories thereof, which, under his care, or within his power shall be brought in such ship or vessel, except such as are directed to the owner or consignee of the ship or vessel, and except also such as are directed to be delivered at the port of delivery to which such ship or vessel may be bound. And it shall be the Masters of duty of the collector, or other officer of the vessels to port, empowered to receive entries of ships as to the de. or vessels, to require, from every master or livery of letcommander of such ship or vessel, an oath ters, &c. &c. or affirmation, purporting that he has delivered all such letters, except as aforesaid. And if any commander or master of any penalties. ship or vessel shall break bulk before he shall have complied with the requirements of this act, every such offender shall, on conviction thereof forfeit, for every such offence, a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.

Masters of vessels, exforeign pack

cept those of

bro't,

Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That the postmasters to whom such letters may be delivered, shall pay to the master or commander, or other person, delivering the ets, to receive same, except the commanders of foreign postage for packets, two cents for each letter or packet, and delivered and shall obtain, from the person delivering by them the same, a certificate specifying the number of letters and packets, with the name of the ship or vessel, and the place from whence she last sailed; which certificate, together with a receipt for the money, shall be, with his quarterly accounts, transmitted to the postmaster general, who shall credit him with the amount.

Sec. 16. And be it further enacted, That if any person, other than the postmaster general or his deputies, or persons by them em

Y

Penalties for setting up pest towns.

posts between