convey, carry, recarry or deliver any letters other than the Post Master or his Deputy.

And any who shall for the future inform against the person or persons that go on board vessels to take up any person or persons letters, to detain the delivery of the same, shall be not only entitled to the penalty granted by law against such a person, but be likewise sufficiently rewarded. And for the benefit and advantage of merchants and others, it is thought very proper for every Master (as it has been usual) to make a fair alphabetical list of the names and number of letters in his bags; which list hung up at the Office door, would soon resolve any persons if they had any letters by such a ship. And such Master as cannot conveniently come with his bag of letters to the Office, may seal the same with the said list in it, and send it by one of his servants; which Master, on demand, shall be paid for each letter at his coming to the Office; as also immediately to his servant as each Master shall direct.

XXIII.

From the Boston News Letter, No. 577. May 2, 1715.

Had the undertaker any suitable encouragement either by salary, or any tolerable number to take the Intelligence by the year, he would have printed a sheet weekly, to foward the intelligence. But since he has not, he must do the best he can.

XXIV.

[In 1718, Campbell was removed from the Post Office; and the Right Honourable the Post Master General in England named Mr. Philip Musgrave to succeed him; but the appointment itself being assigned to Andrew Hamilton, Esq., Deputy Post Master General for North America, on the 13th of September, 1718, he placed Mr. WILLIAM BROOKER in the office.

In the News Letter of March 7, 1728, is this obituary notice; "on Monday evening last, the 4th current, about eight o'clock, died here JOHN CAMPBELL, Esq. age 75 years; formerly Post Master of this place, publisher of

the Boston News Letter for many years, and one of his majesty's justices of peace for the County of Suffolk.”

In 1725, HENRY MARSHALL was appointed Post Master. Pub. Com.]

XXV.

To the Honourable William Dummer, Esq., Lieutenant Governour and Commander in Chief, the Honourable the Council and House of Representatives for the Province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, in General Court assembled at Boston, the 22nd day of November, 1727.

The Memorial of Henry Marshall, Post Master, residing at Boston, aforesaid

Humbly sheweth, That whereas your Memorialist hath kept the said office for two years past, or thereabout, and hath at all times taken care of the public letters belonging to the Government, for which service his predecessors, as he has been informed, used to be paid by order of the General Assembly; but the memorialist having never yet received any thing, and the other governments on the Continent making an allowance for services of the like nature; he, therefore, most humbly prays your Honours, that you will be pleased to allow him for his said service what in your great wisdom you shall see fit.

And as in duty bound, the memorialist shall ever pray. H. MARSHALL.

In the House of Representatives, December 2nd, 1727. Read and committed to the Committee for petitions.

The Committee having considered this memorial, are of opinion, that the sum of two pounds be allowed and paid out of the public treasury to Henry Marshall for his past service in taking care of the public letters; and that hereafter a particular account of service of the like nature be laid before this Court, before any thing be allowed therefor.

JOHN QUINCY, per order.

In the House of Representatives, January 4th, 1727. Read and accepted, and resolved that the sum of forty shillings be allowed and paid out of the public treasury to the Memorialist, Henry Marshall, for his past service in taking care of the public letters; and that hereafter a particular account of his service of the like nature be laid before this Court, before any allowance be made therefor.

Sent up for concurrence.

WILLIAM DUDLEY, Speaker.

In Council. January 5, 1727. Read and concurred.

Consented to.

J. WILLARD, Secretary.

WILLIAM DUMMER.

XXVI.

Secretary's certificate relating to Head Lynch, Esq.

Province of the Massachusetts Bay.

These are to certify whom it may concern, that there is delivered into my hands a Bond, or obligation, under the hands and seals of Ellis Huske and William Pepperrell, Esq. in the sum of five hundred pounds sterling, to be paid to Head Lynch, Esq. deputy Post Master General of North America, in case the said Ellis Huske shall not faithfully discharge the Office of Deputy Post Master of Boston, and the district thereto belonging, as particularly expressed in the said Bond.

Boston, March 7, 1742-3.

XXVII.

J. WILLARD, Secretary.

Establishment for a Carrier.

In the House of Representatives, June 18th, 1760.

Voted, That a carrier be employed to ride from Boston to Albany, and back again to Boston, once every fortnight, during the present campaign, to carry the several public lispatches, that may be necessary to be sent. And, also,

that the said carrier carry to and from the soldiers in the service of the Province, such letters as they may write home, and as may be sent to them.-And that such carrier be allowed for every such journey and duly performing the same, the sum of six pounds out of the public treasury. Sent up for concurrence.

In Council, June 18, 1760.
Read and concurred.

JAMES OTIS, Speaker.

Consented to.

A. OLIVER, Secretary.

T. HUTCHINSON.

XXVIII.

Copy of a Letter from the Right Honourable the Earl of Halifax to his Excellency the Governour, dated St. James's, August 11th, 1764.

SIR,

It being of great importance and advantage to his Majesty's service, and to the commercial interests and general convenience of his Majesty's subjects in North America, that the conveyance of letters by the Post should be facilitated and extended throughout the Colonies upon that extensive Continent, his Majesty's Post Master General is concerting measures for those purposes: and, as it cannot be doubted but the Legislatures of the several Colonies will readily and cheerfully contribute to the success of a plan, from which they may expect to derive the benefit of a regular, safe, and speedy correspondence :—I am commanded to signify to you his Majesty's pleasure, that you should recommend it to the Assembly of the Colony under your government, to provide for the establishment of ferries, and erecting proper buildings on the water side, wherever the same may be found necessary, that the Posts may meet with no delays or interruptions in passing.

His Majesty's Post Master General having also represented that a Map of the Province under your Government,

with the present course of the Posts throughout the same clearly marked out, would be of great use to him in the present undertaking; I am to desire that you will procure and transmit such a Map, together with a state of such alterations, as you apprehend to be wanting for the better regulation and improvement of the said Posts. And you will give your constant aid and support to the Post Masters, within your Government, in the execution of their office, which is so immediately calculated for the public benefit.

XXIX.

Petition of David Hyde.

To his Excellency Sir Francis Bernard, Baronet and Governor in Chief, the Honourable the Council, and House of Representatives in General Court assembled.

The petition of David Hyde, of Boston, Post rider, humbly sheweth,

That he was in the month of September last employed by the selectmen of Boston, to carry Expresses to the selectmen of the other towns in this Province, relative to matters of a public and important nature, which required the greatest dispatch; he, therefore, thought himself obliged in faithfulness to his employers, to ride from Belchertown to Montague on the 18th of September, being Lord's day; for which he was brought before the Honourable Court of Sessions for the County of Hampshire, convicted, and sentenced to pay a fine to the King of ten shillings, and had costs taxed at eighteen shillings, which with the expenses and loss of time, has been a considerable damage, as well as trouble to your petitioner.

Your petitioner presumes not to make any reflections upon the treatment he has received; but throws himself upon the favour of the Honourable Court, praying that his case may be considered, and such redress given, as to your Excellency and Honours may seem meet. And, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. DAVID HYDE.

BOSTON, July 1, 1769.