England and Wales – Internal Rates 1660-1801

From the Restoration onward inland rates were generally reasonably straightforward, with increases to cover war costs in 1711 (War of the Spanish Succession), 1784 (American Revolution), and on four occasions from 1797 to 1812 (Napoleonic Wars).

However, for much of the 17th century all the posts were "farmed" out to contractors, and this situation continued until 1765 for cross-, bye-, and way-posts. Their charges might vary from the official rates – indeed the references to "post stages" in the rates schedules of the Acts of 1765 and 1784 appear to have been a regularisation of existing practice.

Letters passing through London from one town to another were subject to two separate charges until 1797 – i.e. the current rates from the town of origin to London, and from London to the destination, with the first typically crossed through and amended in London. See the notes for potential complications in the period 1784-97. From 1797 there was one charge based on the total distance travelled, whether the letter passed through London or not.

From 1660 to 1765 there appears to be a distinction between letters, charged per letter or sheet, and other packets of documents ("writs, deeds or other things"), charged by the ounce.