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Post Office, Newspapers Act 1836
(6 & 7 Will 4 c.54, 13th August 1836)

An Act to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to the Conveyance of Newspapers by the Post.
[13th August 1836.]

'WHEREAS the Laws now in force relating to the Conveyance of Newspapers by the Post are contained in various Acts of Parliament passed in a Series of Years, and it is expedient that the same should be consolidated and amended:' Be it therefore enacted by the King's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That so much of an Act passed in the Fourth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for preventing Frauds and Abuses in relation to the sending and receiving of Letters and Packets free from the Duty of Postage; and of an Act passed in the Ninth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for discontinuing upon the Exportation of Iron imported in Foreign Ships the Drawback of such Part of the Duties payable thereon as exceeds the Duties payable upon Iron imported in British Ships; to prohibit the Exportation of Pig and Bar Iron and certain Naval Stores unless the Pre-emption thereof be offered to the Commissioners of the Navy; to repeal so much of an Act made in the Sixth Year of His present Majesty's Reign as discontinued the Drawback upon Foreign rough Hemp exported; for providing a Compensation to the Clerks in the Office of the Principal Secretaries of State for the Advantages such Clerks enjoyed before the Commencement of an Act made in the Fourth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, for preventing Frauds and Abuses in relation to the sending and receiving Letters and Packets free from the Duty of Postage, and to explain and amend the said Act; and of an Act passed in the Twenty-fourth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for establishing certain Regulations concerning the Postage and Conveyance of Letters and Packets by the Post between Great Britain and Ireland; and of an Act passed in the Thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for further regulating the sending and receiving Letters free from the Duty of Postage; for allowing Non-commissioned Officers, Seamen, and private Men in the Navy and Army whilst on Service to send and receive Letters at a low Rate of Postage; and for permitting Patterns and Samples of Goods to be transmitted by the Post at an easier Rate than is now allowed by Law; and of an Act passed in the Forty-second Year of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act to authorize the sending and receiving of Letters and Packets, Votes, Proceedings in Parliament, and printed Newspapers by the Post free from the Duty of Postage by the Members of the Two Houses in Parliament of the United Kingdom, and by certain Public Officers therein named, and for reducing the Postage on such Votes, Proceedings, and Newspapers when sent by any other Persons; and of an Act passed in the Forty-fifth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for granting certain additional Rates and Duties in Great Britain on the Conveyance of Letters; and of an Act passed in the Fifty-ninth Year of King George the Third, intituled An Act to repeal so much of an Act passed in the Fifty-fifth Year of His present Majesty as relates to the Postage and Conveyance of Letters to and from the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, the Mauritius, and the East Indies, and to make other Regulations respecting the Postage of such Letters and Packets, and other Letters and Packets sent by the Post; and of an Act passed in the Sixth Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, intituled An Act to regulate the Conveyance of printed Votes and Proceedings in Parliament, and printed Newspapers, by Packet Boats between Great Britain and Ireland and the British Colonies, and also in the United Kingdom; and of an Act passed in the Seventh and Eighth Years of the Reign of King George the Fourth, intituled An Act to amend the Laws relating to the Duties of Postage in Great Britain and Ireland; and of an Act passed in the Fourth and Fifth Years of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled An Act to regulate the Conveyance of printed Newspapers by Post between the United Kingdom, the British Colonies, and Foreign Parts; and of an Act passed in the Fifth and Sixth Years of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled An Act to extend the Accommodation by the Post to and from Foreign Parts, and for other Purposes relating to the Post Office, as relates to the Conveyance of Newspapers by the Post, shall from and after the passing of this Act be repealed, except so far as the same may repeal the Whole or any Part of any other Acts, and except so far as respects any Sums of Money, Arrears of Duties, Fines, Penalties, Forfeitures, Matters, or Things which at any Time before the passing of this Act shall have become due or owing or recoverable, or been had, made, or done under or by virtue or in pursuance of any of the said Acts herein-before referred to, or any of the Powers or Authorities therein contained; and all which Sums of Money, Arrears of Duties, Fines, Penalties, Matters, and Things shall and may be had, sued for, recovered, received, and dealt with as if this Act had not been passed; any thing herein-before contained to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding.

II. And be it further enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act all printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped shall and may be sent by the General Post to and from any Post Towns and Places within the United Kingdom free of the Duty of Postage.

III. And be it further enacted, That every printed Newspaper liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped addressed to any Person within the United Kingdom, originally sent by the General Post from one Post Town to another Post Town within the United Kingdom, and directed to Places beyond the Delivery of the General Post, and afterwards delivered by the Penny or Two-penny Post of any City, Town, or Place to which the same shall be sent, and also every such Newspaper originally sent by the Penny or Two-penny Post of any City, Town, or Place within the United Kingdom, and afterwards passing through the General Post from one Post Town to another Post Town within the United Kingdom, shall be delivered to the Person or Persons to whom the same shall be addressed, within the said United Kingdom, free from all Duty of Postage whatsoever, as well in respect of the said General as of the said Penny or Two-penny Post.

IV. 'And whereas it is expedient to authorize the Conveyance of Newspapers by the Two-penny Post at a reduced Rate of Postage;' be it therefore further enacted, That all printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped which shall not have passed or be intended to pass through the General Post, shall and may be sent by the Penny or Two-penny Post of any City, Town, or Place within the United Kingdom at the Rate of One Penny each; and that all printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped, put into the Post Office or any General Post Receiving-house of any Post Town or Place within the United Kingdom, addressed to any Person within the Limits of the same Town or Place or the Suburbs thereof, shall and may be sent and conveyed within such Town or Place at the like Rate of One Penny each; and the said respective Rates shall and may be demanded, had, received, and taken by the Postmaster General, his Deputy and Deputies, to and for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors accordingly.

V. And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful to and for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies, in the United Kingdom, to receive at any Post Office printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped for Conveyance by Packet Boats from the United Kingdom to any of His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas, and to forward and convey the same accordingly free of the Duty of Postage; and for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies, in His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas, to receive Newspapers printed and published within such Colonies or Possessions for Conveyance by Packet Boats to the United Kingdom, and to deliver the same by the Post within the United Kingdom free of the Duty of Postage.

VI. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful to and for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies, in any of His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas, to receive Newspapers printed and published within such Colonies or Possessions for Conveyance by Packet Boats, directed to any Person or Place within any other of His Majesty's Colonies or Possessions beyond the Seas, to pass through the United Kingdom, and the same shall be forwarded and conveyed accordingly free of the Duty of Postage.

VII. And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies, in the United Kingdom, to receive at any Post Office printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped, directed to Places within any of His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas, and to forward the same by any Ships or Vessels that he in his Discretion may think fit (not being Packet Boats), and to demand, have, receive, and take for every Newspaper which shall be delivered to him or his Deputies for Conveyance in manner last aforesaid the Sum of One Penny.

VIII. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies, for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand, have, receive, and take for the Conveyance of every Newspaper printed within His Majesty's Colonies or Possessions beyond the Seas, and brought into the United Kingdom by any Ship or Vessel (other than a Packet Boat), and delivered by the Commander of any such Ship or Vessel at any Post Office, the Sum of One Penny on Delivery thereof within the United Kingdom to the Person to whom the same shall be addressed.

IX. And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies, in the United Kingdom, to receive at any Post Office printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped for Conveyance by Packet Boats, or by any Ship or Vessel other than a Packet Boat, from the United Kingdom to any Port out of the United Kingdom (other than His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas), and to demand, have, receive, and take for the Conveyance of every such Newspaper to any Foreign Port the Sum of Two-pence, to be paid when the same shall be put into the Post Office; and also to demand, have, receive, and take for every Newspaper printed in any Kingdom or State beyond the Seas (other than His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions), and brought into the United Kingdom by Packet Boats, or by any Ship or Vessel other than a Packet Boat, and delivered by the Commander of any such last-mentioned Ship or Vessel at any Post Office within the United Kingdom (if printed in the Language of the Foreign Kingdom or State from which the same shall be forwarded, but not otherwise), the Sum of Two-pence, on Delivery thereof to the Person to whom the same shall be addressed, over and above and in addition to any Postage charged thereon by any Foreign Post Office.

X. And be it further enacted, That in case satisfactory Proof shall be laid before the Postmaster General that Newspapers printed and published within the United Kingdom, addressed to any Person or Place within any Foreign Kingdom or State, are allowed to pass by the Post within any such Foreign Kingdom or State free of Postage, and also that Newspapers addressed to any Person or Place in the United Kingdom from any such Foreign Kingdom or State are allowed to pass by the Post within such Foreign Kingdom or State free of Postage, it shall be lawful for the said Postmaster General and his Deputy and Deputies, after such satisfactory Proof shall be so laid before him, to receive at any Post Office printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped, addressed to any Person or Place in any such Foreign Kingdom or State, for Conveyance by Packet Boats from the United Kingdom to any Port out of the United Kingdom other than His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions, and to forward the same accordingly free from the Duty of Postage; and also to receive from any such Foreign Kingdom or State printed Newspapers sent by Packet Boats, addressed to any Person or Place within the United Kingdom, and deliver the same free from the Duty of Postage (provided that such Newspapers be printed in the Language of the Foreign Kingdom or State from which the same shall be forwarded, but not otherwise); and also to receive at any Post Office printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped, for Conveyance by Ships or Vessels, other than Packet Boats, to any Port out of the United Kingdom other than His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions, and to forward the same accordingly, and to demand, have, receive, and take for every Newspaper which shall be delivered to him, or his Deputy or Deputies, for Conveyance in manner last aforesaid, the Sum of One Penny only, to be paid when the same shall be put into the Post Office; and also to demand, have, receive, and take for every Newspaper printed in any Kingdom or State beyond the Seas (other than His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions), and brought into the United Kingdom by any Ship or Vessel other than a Packet Boat, and delivered by the Commander of any Ship or Vessel at any Port within the United Kingdom (if printed in the Language of the Foreign Kingdom or State from which the same shall be forwarded, but not otherwise), the Sum of One Penny only, on Delivery thereof within the United Kingdom to the Person to whom the same shall be addressed.

XI. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the Postmaster General to allow and pay the Masters and Commanders of Ships and Vessels, other than Packet Boats, the Sum of One Penny on every printed Newspaper which shall be brought into the United Kingdom from any Port or Place out of the United Kingdom under the Provisions of this Act, and be delivered by them at the Post Office of the Post Town at which they shall touch or arrive, and the like Sum of One Penny on every printed Newspaper which shall be delivered by the Postmaster General or his Deputies to any such Masters or Commanders for Conveyance to any Port or Place out of the United Kingdom under the Provisions of this Act.

XII. And be it further enacted, That notwithstanding the several Enactments herein-before contained, and notwithstanding any Rate of Postage which may be payable within any Foreign Kingdom or State on Newspapers sent to or received from the United Kingdom, it shall and may be lawful for the Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies, in the United Kingdom, in such Cases as the Postmaster General, with the Consent of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury or any Three or more of them, signified by Writing under their Hands, or under the Hand of any One of the Secretaries or Assistant Secretaries to the Treasury for the Time being, shall deem expedient, to forward printed Newspapers, liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped, addressed to any such Foreign Kingdom or State, from the United Kingdom to any Foreign Port by Packet Boat free from any Duty of Postage, and by any Ship or Vessel other than a Packet Boat at the aforesaid Rate of One Penny each, and to receive from any such Foreign Kingdom or State printed Newspapers addressed to any Person or Place within the United Kingdom, and deliver the same (if sent by Packet Boat) free from the Duty of Postage, and if sent by any Ship or Vessel other than a Packet Boat then at the aforesaid Rate of One Penny each; provided such last-mentioned Newspapers be printed in the Language of the Foreign Kingdom or State from which the same shall be forwarded; or in any of the said Cases, at the Option of the Postmaster General, to demand, receive, and take for every Newspaper so forwarded to or received from any Foreign Kingdom or State in which any Postage shall be payable on Newspapers sent to or received from the United Kingdom, and whether sent by Packet Boat or by any Ship or Vessel other than a Packet Boat, such a Rate or Rates of Postage as the Postmaster General shall or may, with such Consent as aforesaid, consider equal in Amount or equivalent to the Rate or Rates of Postage from Time to Time payable within any such Foreign Kingdom or State on Newspapers sent to or received from the United Kingdom, and to be (in case such Newspaper shall be sent by any Ship or Vessel other than a Packet Boat) in addition to the aforesaid Rate of One Penny chargeable on each such Newspaper.

XIII. 'And whereas Circumstances may arise which may render it expedient again to impose and demand the said respective Rates of Two-pence herein-before granted after the same or some Part thereof shall have ceased to be demanded by the Postmaster General;' now be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General, by and with the Consent of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury or any Three or more of them, signified as aforesaid, at any Time after any of the respective Rates of Two-pence payable on Newspapers sent or brought to or from the United Kingdom from or to any Foreign Kingdom or State by Packet Boats, or sent or brought to or from the United Kingdom from or to any Foreign Kingdom or State by any Ships or Vessels not being Packet Boats as aforesaid, or any Part thereof, shall have ceased to be demanded by the Postmaster General, again to impose, demand, and receive the said respective Rates of Two-pence for the Conveyance of any such printed Newspaper to any Foreign Port by Packet Boat or other Ship or Vessel as aforesaid, and on the Delivery of any such printed Newspaper brought from any Foreign Kingdom or State by Packet Boat or other Ship or Vessel, whenever it shall be deemed expedient so to do.

XIV. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General in his Discretion, with the Consent of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury or any Three or more of them, signified by Writing under their Hands, or under the Hand of any One of the Secretaries or Assistant Secretaries to the Treasury for the Time being, to extend all and every the Provisions, Exemptions, Clauses, Duties, Payments, Penalties, Forfeitures, Regulations, and Enactments, Matters, and Things in this Act contained or referred to relative to Newspapers, and to or from the United Kingdom from or to any Foreign Kingdom or State, to Newspapers printed and published in any of His Majesty's Colonies or Possessions beyond the Seas, and sent through the United Kingdom to any Foreign Kingdom or State, and to Newspapers printed and published in any Foreign Kingdom or State, and sent through the United Kingdom to any of His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas; any thing to the contrary thereof in anywise notwithstanding.

XV. And be it further enacted, That no Newspaper shall be sent by the Post under the Provisions of this present Act unless every such Newspaper shall be sent without a Cover, or in a Cover open at the Sides, so that the same may be duly examined.

XVI. And be it further enacted, That no Words or Communication shall be printed on any such Newspaper after the same shall have been published, nor any Writing or Marks be put or placed upon any such Newspaper or the Cover thereof, nor any printed Words or Communication be put or placed on the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, and no Letter, Paper, or Thing shall be enclosed or concealed in or with such printed Paper or the Cover thereof.

XVII. And be it further enacted, That every printed Newspaper to be sent out of the United Kingdom under the Provisions of this Act shall in all Cases be put into a Post Office or Receiving-house in the United Kingdom within Seven Days next after the Day on which the same shall be published (the Day of Publication to be ascertained by the Date of such Paper); and in case any such Paper shall be put into any Post Office at any Time after the Expiration of such Seven Days it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General, or his Deputy or Deputies, at his or their Discretion, either to detain any such Paper, or to forward the same by the Post charged with the full Duty of Letter Postage according to the Rates now established by Law.

XVIII. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General and his Deputy or Deputies, and any Officers of the Post Office employed under him or them respectively, to examine and search any printed Newspaper which under the Provisions of this Act shall be sent by the Post with out a Cover, or in a Cover open at the Sides as aforesaid, in order to discover whether any Words or Communication have or has been printed on such Paper after the same was published, or whether there is any Writing or Mark upon such printed Newspaper or the Cover thereof, or any printed Words or Communication on the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, or whether there is any Paper or Thing enclosed or concealed in or with such printed Newspaper or the Cover thereof, and also to ascertain in what Language any Newspaper brought into the United Kingdom from any Foreign Kingdom or State shall be printed, and also in order to discover whether Newspapers printed and posted in the United Kingdom ate duly stamped; and in case any Words or Communication shall be found to have been printed on any such Paper after the same was published, or any Writing or Mark shall be found on any such printed Paper or the Cover thereof, or any printed Words or Communication shall be found on the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, or any other Paper or Thing shall be found to be enclosed or concealed in or with such printed Paper or the Cover thereof as aforesaid, the whole of every such Newspaper addressed and delivered to any Person within the United Kingdom shall be charged with Treble the Duty of Letter Postage according to the Rates now established by Law; and as to every such Paper going out of the United Kingdom it shall be lawful for the Postmaster General or his Deputy or Deputies, at his or their Discretion, either to detain any such Paper, or to forward the same by the Post charged with Treble the Duty of Letter Postage; and in case any Newspaper printed and posted in the United Kingdom, and sent by the Post under the Provisions of this Act, shall appear not to have been duly stamped, the same shall be stopped and sent to the Commissioners of Stamps either at London or Dublin, as the Case may be.

XIX. And in order to prevent Frauds on the Revenue of the Post Office, be it further enacted, That if any Person shall enclose or conceal, or cause or procure to be enclosed or concealed, in any Newspaper sent or to be sent by the Post any Letter, : Paper, or Thing, or shall print or cause to be printed any Words or Communication upon any such Newspaper after the same shall have been published, or upon the Cover thereof, or put or place, or cause to be put or placed, any Writing or Marks upon any such Newspaper or the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, or shall knowingly send or cause to be sent by the Post, or tender or deliver in order to be sent by the Post, any Newspaper having enclosed or concealed therein any Letter, Paper, or Thing, or having any Words or Communication printed on such Paper after the same was published, or on the Cover thereof, or having any Writing or Marks upon such Newspaper or the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, every Person so offending shall forfeit and pay to His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, such a Sum of Money as will be equal to Treble the Duty of Letter Postage which, according to the Rates established by Law for the Conveyance of Letters by the Post, would have been payable on such Newspaper or Packet in case the same had been a Letter sent by the Post, which Treble Duty shall be recovered and recoverable, with Costs, in the same Manner as any Sums due for Postage not exceeding Twenty Pounds are herein-after directed to be recovered, or such Person shall, at the Option of the Postmaster General, be prosecuted for a Misdemeanor.

XX. And be it further enacted, That all printed Papers to be conveyed by the Post under the Provisions of this Act shall be delivered to the Postmaster General or his Deputy or Deputies at such Hours in the Day and under "all such Regulations as the Postmaster General shall, in his Discretion, from Time to Time appoint.

XXI. And be it further enacted, That nothing herein contained shall be construed to oblige any Person or Persons to send any printed Newspapers through His Majesty's Post Office, but that it shall and may be lawful for all Persons to send any such printed Newspapers in any Manner they may find practicable or convenient.

XXII. And be it further enacted, That in case any Person to whom any printed Newspaper brought into the United Kingdom under the Provisions of this Act shall be directed shall have removed from or quitted the Place to which such Newspaper shall be addressed prior to the Delivery thereof at such Place, any such Newspaper, on arriving or Delivery at the Place of its Address, shall and may (provided the same shall not have been opened or used, but not otherwise,) be re-directed and forwarded by the Post to such Person at any other Place within the United Kingdom free of any Charge for such extra Conveyance; but if any such Newspaper shall have been opened or used, the same shall on Re-direction be charged and chargeable with the Rate of a single Letter from the Place at which such Newspaper shall be re-directed or re-posted to the Place at which it shall be ultimately delivered.

XXIII. And be it further enacted, That the several Rates and Duties herein-before granted shall be paid from Time to Time into the Hands of the Receiver General for the Time being in England and Ireland of the Revenue of the Post Office, who shall pay the same (the necessary Charges for collecting, paying, and accounting for the same being first deducted,) into the Receipt of His Majesty's Exchequer on such Days and Times and in such Manner as the Rates and Duties of Postage, by any Act or Acts in force at or immediately before the passing of this Act, are directed to be paid; and the said Duties so to be paid into the said Receipt as aforesaid shall be carried to and made Part of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

XXIV. And be it further enacted, That all Sums of Money, not exceeding Twenty Pounds, which shall be due from any Person in Great Britain or Ireland under this Act for the Postage of any Newspaper or Packet, or which shall be due from any Deputy, Agent, or Letter Carrier in Great Britain or Ireland for the Post of any Newspapers or Packets to him intrusted for Delivery under the Authority of the Postmaster General, or from any other Person or Persons employed or to be employed in receiving or collecting the Postage of Newspapers and Packets payable under the Provisions of this Act, shall and may be recovered and recoverable, by Distress or otherwise, in like Manner in all respects as in and by the said recited Act of the Fifth and Sixth Years of the Reign of His present Majesty is provided for the Recovery of Sums of Money not exceeding Twenty Pounds due or owing to the Revenue of the Post Office.

XXV. And be it further enacted, That wherever the Term "Postmaster General" occurs in this Act, the same shall be construed to mean and include the Postmaster General for the Time being; and that wherever the Term "Officer of the Post Office" occurs in this Act the same shall be construed to mean and include any Deputy, Agent, Officer, Clerk, Letter Carrier, or other Person employed by or under the Post Office, whatever may be his particular Office or Employment; and that wherever the Term "Packet Boat" occurs in this Act, the same shall be construed to include any Ship or Vessel by which the Postmaster General shall contract or agree or have contracted or agreed for the Conveyance of Mails of Letters, as well as Packet Boats belonging to or hired by the Crown; and that wherever the Term "His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas" occurs in this Act, the same shall be construed to include every Port and Place within the Territorial Acquisitions now vested in the East India Company in Trust for His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, the Cape of Good Hope, and the Islands of Saint Helena, Guernsey, Jersey, and Isle of Man, as well as His Majesty's other Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas; and that wherever in this Act, with reference to any Person, Matter, or Thing, any Word or Words is or are used importing the Singular Number or the Masculine Gender only, yet such Word or Words shall be understood to include several Persons as well as one Person, Females as well as Males, Bodies Corporate or Politic as well as Individuals, and several Matters or Things as well as one Matter or Thing, unless it be otherwise specially provided, or there be something in the Subject or Context repugnant to such Construction.

XXVI. And be it further enacted, That in all Cases in which any Dispute, Controversy, or Question shall arise whether any printed Paper sent or offered to be sent by the Post under the Provisions of this Act is to be considered and deemed a Newspaper within the Intent and Meaning of this Act, or whether any such printed Paper is entitled to the Exemptions and Privileges of a Newspaper, so far as to authorize the Transmission of the same by the Post free of Postage, or subject to such reduced Rate of Postage as herein provided, the Question shall be referred to the Judgment and Determination of the Postmaster General, whose Decision, with the Concurrence of any Three or more of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, signified as aforesaid, shall be final and conclusive on all Persons whomsoever.

XXVII. And be it further enacted, That all Actions and Prosecutions which shall be brought or commenced against any Person for any thing done in pursuance or under the Authority of this Act shall be commenced and prosecuted within Three Calendar Months next after the Fact committed, and not afterwards, and shall be brought and tried in the County or Place where the Cause of Action shall arise, and not elsewhere; and Notice in Writing of such Action, and of the Cause thereof, shall be given to the Defendant One Calendar Month at least before the Commencement of the Action; and the Defendant in such Action may plead the General Issue, and give this Act and any other Matter or Thing in Evidence at any Trial to be had thereupon; and if the Cause of Action shall appear to arise from any Matter or Thing done in pursuance and by the Authority of this Act, or if any such Action shall be brought after the Expiration of such Three Calendar Months, or shall be brought in any other Court or Place than as aforesaid, or if Notice of such Action shall not have been given in manner aforesaid, or if Tender of sufficient Amends shall have been made before such Action commenced, or if a sufficient Sum of Money shall have been paid into Court after such Action commenced by or on behalf of the Defendant, the Jury shall find a Verdict for the Defendant; or if a Verdict shall pass for the Defendant, or if the Plaintiff shall become Nonsuit, or shall discontinue any such Action, or if upon Demurrer or otherwise Judgment shall be given against the Plaintiff, the Defendant shall recover his full Costs of Suit as between Attorney and Client, and shall have the like Remedy for the same as any Defendant may have for Costs of Suit in other Cases at Law; and although a Verdict shall be given for the Plaintiff in any such Action, such Plaintiff shall not have Costs against the Defendant unless the Judge before whom the Trial shall be had shall at the Time of such Trial, certify in Writing his Approbation of the Action and of the Verdict obtained thereupon.

XXVIII. And be it further enacted, That this Act may be altered, varied, or repealed by any Act or Acts to be passed in this present Session of Parliament.