Falmouth Packet Rates
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2021 1:17 pm
Could someone with good knowlege about the packet postage for the Falmouth service explain some facts related to actual charge for letters addressed to Madeira prior to the 1808 Act 48 George III cap 116? (The latter lists postage to 1/6 for SL.) I have a letter dated 1790, also charged 1/6 in mss, but I have never seen any specific Act covering Madeira specifically prior to 1808. As far as I know, e earlier Act (1710) only states a general charge of 1/6 for mail between London,Spain or Portugal by Packet Boats . Did the Portugal packet also call Madeira on the roundtrip from Falmouth? Or was indeed the mail carried domestically from Lisbon .
The letter is struck with "FALMOUTH;o" handstamp , but with no reference to name of vessel or actual port(s) of call. Further, in addition to the mss "1/6," an extra endorsement in mss.reads "to pay 1/2" . This is different from the normal "40" as I've seen on other similar letters .
Finally; since the port of Madeira had a large export of wine to North America and UK, would it be normal for the Halifax or West Indies bound packets to call Madeira on way out or home?
All informatioin would be appreaciated.
Kind regards
Oyabu50
The letter is struck with "FALMOUTH;o" handstamp , but with no reference to name of vessel or actual port(s) of call. Further, in addition to the mss "1/6," an extra endorsement in mss.reads "to pay 1/2" . This is different from the normal "40" as I've seen on other similar letters .
Finally; since the port of Madeira had a large export of wine to North America and UK, would it be normal for the Halifax or West Indies bound packets to call Madeira on way out or home?
All informatioin would be appreaciated.
Kind regards
Oyabu50