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Post Office (Revenues) Act 1710
(9 Anne c.10, 25th November 1710)

An act for establishing a general post office for all her Majesty's dominions, and for settling a weekly sum out of the revenues thereof, for the service of the war, and other her Majesty's occasions.

MOST gracious sovereign, whereas by an act made in the twelfth year of the reign of his late majesty King Charles the Second, a general post office was erected and established in that part of Great Britain called England, and by the twentieth act of the fifth session of the first parliament of his late majesty King William the Third, a general post office was erected and established in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, and several rates of postage were thereby severally appointed to be received, under several different powers and authorities; which two kingdoms being since united, it is most likely that a correspondence by posts will be best managed and ordered for the publick good, by uniting also the said two post offices under one postmaster general: and whereas also posts have at great charges been established by packet boats between that part of Great Britain called England and the West Indies, and also on the main land in North America, through most of her Majesty's plantations and colonies in those parts, as also to divers parts in Europe, to which no packet boats were till lately settled, and more posts may yet be settled and established for the publick good and welfare of all your Majesty's subjects: and whereas the several rates of postage may in many parts, with little burthen to the subject, be encreased, and other new rates granted, which additional and new rates may, in some measure, enable your Majesty to carry on and finish the present war, so as suitable powers and authorities be made for collecting the same, and sufficient provision be made, as well for preventing the undue collecting the delivery of letters by private posts, carriers, biglers, watermen, drivers of stage coaches, and other persons, as all other frauds to which the revenue might otherwise be liable; which cannot be well and properly done, to answer the ends aforesaid, without the authority of parliament in a new act to be made for the said office, and for the revenues to arise thereby: we therefore your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the commons of Great Britain in parliament assembled, do most humbly beseech your Majesty, that it may be enacted; and be it enacted by the Queen'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 authority of the same, That the said act made in England in the twelfth year of the reign of his said late majesty King Charles the Second, intituled, An act for erecting and establishing a post office, and the said act made in Scotland in the fifth session of the first parliament of his said late majesty King William the Third, intituled, An act anent the post office, and every article, clause, and thing therein or in either of them contained, shall be, and is and are hereby, from and after the first day of June, one thousand seven hundred and eleven, actually repealed, except as is herein after mentioned.

II. And to the end a general post office may be established for and throughout her Majesty's kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, her colonies and plantations in North America, and the West Indies, and all other her Majesty's dominions and territories, in such manner as may be most beneficial to the people of these kingdoms, and her Majesty may be supplied, and the revenue arising by the said office better improved, settled, and secured to her Majesty, her heirs and successors, in such manner as is herein after mentioned; be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the said first day of June, one thousand seven hundred and eleven, there be from thenceforth one general letter office and post office erected and established in some convenient place within the city of London, from whence all letters and packets whatsoever may be with speed and expedition sent into any part of the kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, or to North America, the West Indies, or to any other of her Majesty's dominions or territories, or unto any other kingdom or country beyond the seas, at which said office all returns and answers may be likewise received; and that one master of the said general letter office and post office shall be, from time to time, appointed by the Queen's majesty, her heirs and successors, to be made and constituted by letters patents under the great seal of Great Britain, by the name and stile of her Majesty's postmaster general; which said master of the said office, and his deputy and deputies by him thereunto sufficiently authorized, and his and their servants and agents, and no other person or persons whatsoever, shall, from time to time, and at all times, have the receiving, taking up, ordering, dispatching, sending post, or with speed, carrying and delivering of all letters and packets whatsoever, which shall, from time to time, and at all or any times, be sent to and from all and every the parts and places of Great Britain and Ireland, North America, the West Indies, and other her Majesty's dominions, and also to and from all and every the kingdoms and countries beyond the seas, where he shall settle or cause to be settled posts, or running messengers for that purpose: except such letters as shall respectively concern goods sent by common known carriers of goods by carts, waggons, or pack horses, and shall be respectively delivered with the goods such letters do concern, without hire or reward, or other profit or advantage for receiving or delivering such letters; and except letters of merchants, and masters, owners of any ships, barques, or vessels of merchandize, or any the cargo or loading therein sent on board such ships, barques, or vessels of merchandize, whereof such merchants or masters are owners, as aforesaid, and delivered by any masters of any such ships, barques, or vessels of merchandize, or by any other person employed by them for the carriage of such letters aforesaid according, to their respective directions, so as such letters be delivered to the respective persons to whom they shall be directed without paying or receiving any hire or reward, advantage, or profit for the same in any wise; and also except commissions, or the return thereof, affidavits, writs, process, or proceedings or returns thereof, issuing out of any court; and also any letter or letters to be sent by any private friend or friends, in their way of journey or travel, or by any messenger or messengers sent on purpose for or concerning the private affair of any person or persons.

III. Provided always nevertheless, That nothing in the said exception contained shall extend or be construed to extend to give any licence or authority to any common known carriers of goods by carts, waggons, or pack horses, their servants or agents, to receive, collect, or deliver, with or without hire, any letter or letters, packet or packets of letters whatsoever, that do not concern goods in their carts, waggons, or on their pack horses, nor to any owners or drivers of stage coaches, nor to any owners, masters, or commanders of boats called passage boats, sailing between any part of Great Britain or Ireland, and any parts or places beyond the seas, or their servants or agents, nor to any passenger or passengers on board such boats or vessels, nor to the owners or watermen on board of any boat, barge, or vessel passing or repassing on any river or rivers, to and from any parts of Great Britain and Ireland, North America, or the West Indies, or other her Majesty's dominions and territories, although such drivers of stage coaches, owners, masters, or commanders of boats called passage boats, or passengers therein, owners or watermen on board of any such boat, barge, or vessel passing or repassing on any such river or rivers, as aforesaid, do not receive any hire or reward, or other advantage for the same; but that all such carriers, owners, and drivers of stage coaches, owners, masters, or commanders of passage boats, and the passengers therein, and all owners and watermen on board of any boat, barge, or vessel passing or repassing on any river or rivers, to or from any the parts and places aforesaid, collecting and delivering letters, as aforesaid, though without hire or reward, shall be deemed and taken, and are hereby declared to be persons offending against this act, and shall forfeit and pay such sum and sums of money, as persons collecting, receiving, taking up, conveying and delivering of letters for hire, or setting up, employing and maintaining any post contrary to this act, or that are or shall be concerned therein, are herein after enacted to forfeit and pay.

IV. And to the end there may be one chief letter office also in North Britain and Ireland, and at New York in North America, and in the West Indies, from whence the distances for which the rates hereby granted may be computed and settled; be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That such postmaster general so to be constituted, as aforesaid, shall be at liberty to keep one chief letter office in the city of Edinburgh, and one other chief letter office in the city of Dublin, and one chief letter office in New York aforesaid, and other chief offices at some convenient place or places in each of her Majesty's provinces or colonies in America, and in each of the islands in the West Indies, called the Leward Islands, and appoint sufficient deputies under him, for the better managing, ordering, collecting, and improving the revenue hereby granted.

V. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That such postmaster general for the time being, as shall from time to time be made and constituted by her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and the respective deputies or substitutes of such postmaster general, and no other person or persons whatsoever, shall prepare and provide horses and furniture, to let to hire unto all or any person or persons riding in post, by commission or without, to or from all and every the parts and places of Great Britain and Ireland, where any post-roads are or shall be settled and established.

VI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful to and for such postmaster general to be constituted and appointed, as aforesaid, and his deputy and deputies by him thereunto sufficiently authorized, to and for the use of her Majesty, her heirs and successors, to demand, have, receive and take, for the portage, and conveyance of all such letters and packets which he shall so convey, carry, or send post, as aforesaid, and for the providing and furnishing horses for persons riding in post, as aforesaid, according to the several rates and sums of lawful British money hereafter mentioned, not to exceed the same: (that is to say) for the port of every single letter, or piece of paper, to or from any place not exceeding eighty English miles distant from the said general post-office in London, and within that part of Great Britain called England, and not coming from or directed on ship-board, three pence; and for the like port of every double letter, six Pence; and so proportionably unto the said rates for the port of every packet of letters; and for the like port of every packet of writs, deeds, and other things, after the rate of twelve pence of British money for every ounce weight; and for the port of every single letter, or piece of paper, to or from any place above eighty such English miles distant from the said general post-office, and within that part of the kingdom of Great Britain called England, or to the town of Berwick upon Tweed, and not coming from or directed on ship-board, four pence; and for the like port of every double letter eight pence; and so proportionably unto the said rates for the port of every packet of letters; and for the like port of every packet of writs, deeds, and other things, after the rate of one shilling and four pence British money for every ounce weight: and for the port of every single letter, or piece of paper, from the said general post-office in London unto the city of Edinburgh, in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, or from thence to the said general post-office in the city of London, and to and from Dumfreys, or Cockburnspeth, and between either of those places and the said city of Edinburgh, not coming from, or directed on board any ship, six pence; and for the like port of every double letter, twelve pence; and so proportionably unto the said rates, for the port of every packet of letters; and for the like port of every packet of writs, deeds, and other things, after the rate of two shillings British money for every ounce weight; and for the port of every single letter, or piece of paper, to or from the chief post-office in the said city of Edinburgh, to or from any place not exceeding fifty such English miles distant from the said chief post-office in Edinburgh, and within that part of the kingdom of Great Britain called Scotland, and not coming from, or directed on board of any ship or vessel, two pence British money; and for the like port of every double letter, four pence of like money; and so proportionably to the said rates for the port of every packet of letters; and for the like port of every packet of writs, deeds, and other things, after the rate of eight pence British money for every ounce weight; and for the port of every single letter or piece of paper, to or from any place above fifty such miles distant from the said chief office in Edinburgh, and not exceeding eighty such miles, and within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, and not coming from, or directed on ship-board, three pence; and for the like port of every double letter, six pence; and so proportionably to the said rates for the port of every packet of letters; and for the like port of every packet of writs, deeds, and other things, after the rate of twelve pence British money for every ounce weight; and for the port of every single letter, or piece or paper, to or from any place above eighty English miles distant from the said chief office in Edinburgh, and within that part of Great Britain called Scotland, and not coming from or directed on ship-board, four pence British money; and for the like port of every double letter, eight pence; and so proportionably to the said rates for the port of every packet of letters; and for the like port of every packet of writs, deeds, and other things, after the rate of one shilling and four pence British money for every ounce weight: and for the port of every single letter, or piece of paper, from the said general letter office in London, unto the city of Dublin in Ireland, or from the said city of Dublin in Ireland, unto the said general post-office, and not coming from, or directed on board of any ship, six pence of British money; and for the like port of every double letter, twelve pence British money; and so proportionably unto the said rates for the port of every packet of letters; and for the like port of every other packet of writs, deeds, and other things of greater bulk, two shillings of British money for every ounce weight; and for the port of such letters or packets as shall be conveyed or carried from the chief post-office in the said city of Dublin, unto any other place or places within the kingdom of Ireland, or from any other place within the said kingdom, not coming from, or directed on ship-board, according to the rates and sums of British money hereafter following, (viz.) for the port of every single letter from the chief post-office in the said city of Dublin, to or from any place not exceeding forty English miles distant from the said chief office in Dublin, and within the said kingdom of Ireland, not coming from, or directed on ship-board, two pence; and for the like port of every double letter, four pence; and so proportionably unto the said rates for the port of every packet of letters; and for the like port of every other packet of writs, deeds, or other things, after the rate of eight pence for every ounce weight; and for the port of every single letter or piece of paper, to or from any place above forty English miles distant from the said chief office in Dublin, and within the said kingdom of Ireland, and not coming from, or directed on board of any ship or vessel, four pence; and for the like port of every double letter, eight pence; and so proportionably unto the said rates for the port of every packet of letters; and for the like port of every packet of writs, deeds, and other things, after the rate of one shilling and four pence for every ounce weight: and for the port of all and every the letters and packets of letters directed on board, or fetched or brought from on board any ship or vessel, riding or stopping in any port within her Majesty's dominions, the sum of one penny, over and above the rates granted in and by this act: and for the port of all and every the letters and packets, passing or repassing by the carriage called the penny-post, established and settled within the cities of London and Westminster, and borough of Southwark, and parts adjacent, and to be received and delivered within ten English miles distant from the said general letter-office in London, one penny: and for the port of all and every the letters, packets, and parcels of goods that shall be carried or conveyed to or from any of her Majesty's said dominions, to or from any other parts or places beyond the seas, according to the several and respective rates following, the same being rated either by the letter or by the ounce; that is to say,

All letters and packets coming from any part of France to London,

  • Single, ten pence.
  • Double, one shilling eight pence.
  • Treble, two shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, three shillings four pence.

All letters and packets passing from London, through France, to any part Spain or Portugal (port paid to Bayone) and from Spain and Portugal, through France, unto London,

  • Single, one shilling six pence.
  • Double, three shillings.
  • Treble, four shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, six shillings.

All letters and packets passing from London, through France, to any part of Italy, or Sicily, by the way of Lyons; or to any part of Turkey, by the way of Mercelia, and from any of those parts, through France, unto London,

  • Single, one shilling three pence.
  • Double, two shillings six pence.
  • Treble, three shillings nine pence.
  • Ounce, five shillings.

All letters and packets coming from part of the Spanish Netherlands, unto London,

  • Single, ten pence.
  • Double, one shilling eight pence.
  • Treble, two shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, three shillings four pence.

All letters and packets passing from London through the Spanish Netherlands to any part of Italy or Sicily (port paid to Antwerp) and from any part of Italy or Sicily, through the Spanish Netherlands unto London,

  • Single, one shilling.
  • Double, two shillings.
  • Treble, three shillings.
  • Ounce, four shillings.

All letters and packets passing from London through the Spanish Netherlands to any part of Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and all parts of the north, and from any of those parts through the Spanish Netherlands unto London,

  • Single, one shilling.
  • Double, two shillings.
  • Treble, three shillings.
  • Ounce, four shillings.

All letters and packets passing from London through the Spanish Netherlands to any part of Spain or Portugal, and from any part of Spain or Portugal, through the Spanish Netherlands unto London,

  • Single, one shilling six pence.
  • Double, three shillings.
  • Treble, four shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, six shillings.

All letters and packets passing from any part of the United Provinces, unto London,

  • Single, ten pence.
  • Double, one shilling eight pence.
  • Treble, two shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, three shillings four pence.

All letters and packets passing from London through the United Provinces for any part of Italy or Sicily, and from any part of Italy or Sicily, through the United Provinces, unto London,

  • Single, one shilling.
  • Double, two shillings.
  • Treble, three shillings.
  • Ounce, four shillings.

All letters and packets passing from London through the United Provinces to any part of Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and all parts of the north, and from any of those parts and places, through the United Provinces unto London,

  • Single, one shilling.
  • Double, two shillings.
  • Treble, three shillings.
  • Ounce, four shillings.

All letters and packets passing from London through the United Provinces unto any part of Spain or Portugal, and from any part of Spain or Portugal, through the United Provinces unto London,

  • Single, one shilling six pence.
  • Double, three shillings.
  • Treble, four shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, six shillings.

All letters and packets passing from London through the Spanish Netherlands, or the United Provinces, to Hamburgh (port paid to Antwerp or Amsterdam) and from Hamburgh, through the Spanish Netherlands, or the United Provinces unto London,

  • Single, ten pence.
  • Double, one shilling eight pence.
  • Treble, two shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, three shillings four pence.

All letters and packets passing between London, Spain, or Portugal, by packet boats,

  • Single, one shilling six pence.
  • Double, three shillings.
  • Treble, four shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, six shillings.

All letters and packets passing from London unto Jamaica, Barbadoes, Antegoa, Montserrat, Nevis, and Saint Christophers in America, and from any of those places to London,

  • Single, one shilling six pence.
  • Double, three shillings.
  • Treble, four shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, six shillings.

All letters and packets from London to New York in North America, and thence to London,

  • Single, one shilling.
  • Double, two shillings.
  • Treble, three shillings.
  • Ounce, four shillings.

All letters and packets from any part of the West Indies, to New York, aforesaid,

  • Single, four pence.
  • Double, eight pence.
  • Treble, one shilling.
  • Ounce, one shilling and four pence.

All letters and packets from New York, to any place within sixty English miles thereof, and thence back to New York,

  • Single, four pence.
  • Double, eight pence.
  • Treble, one shilling.
  • Ounce, one shilling and four pence.

All letters and packets from New York to Perth Amboy, the chief town in East New Jersey, and to Bridlington, the chief town in West New Jersey, and from each of those places back to New York, and from New York, to any place not exceeding one hundred English miles, and from each of those places to New York,

  • Single, six pence.
  • Double, one shilling.
  • Treble, one shilling and six pence.
  • Ounce, two shillings.

All letters and packets from Perth Amboy and Bridlington to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, thence back again,

  • Single, four pence.
  • Double, eight pence.
  • Treble, one shilling.
  • Ounce, one shilling and four pence.

All letters and packets from Perth Amboy and Bridlington, to any place not exceeding one hundred English miles, and thence back again

  • Single, six pence.
  • Double, one shilling.
  • Treble, one shilling six pence.
  • Ounce, two shillings.

All letters and packets from New York to New London, the chief town in Connecticute in New England, and to Philadelphia the chief town in Pensilvania, and from those places back to New York,

  • Single, nine pence.
  • Double, one shilling six pence.
  • Treble, two shillings three pence.
  • Ounce, three shillings.

All letters and packets from New London and Philadelphia, to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, and thence back again,

  • Single, four pence.
  • Double, eight pence.
  • Treble, one shilling.
  • Ounce, one shilling four pence.

All letters and packets from New London and Philadelphia, to any place, not exceeding one hundred English miles, and so back again,

  • Single, six pence.
  • Double, one shilling.
  • Treble, one shilling six pence.
  • Ounce, two shillings.

All letters and packets from New York aforesaid to New Port the chief town in Rhode Island, and Providence Plantation in New England, and to Boston the chief town in Massachusets bay in New England aforesaid, and to Portsmouth the chief town in New Hampshire in New England aforesaid, and to Annapolis the chief town in Maryland, and from every of those places to New York,

  • Single, one shilling.
  • Double, two shillings.
  • Treble, three shillings.
  • Ounce, four shillings.

All letters and packets from Newport, Boston, Portsmouth, and Annapolis aforesaid, to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, and thence back again,

  • Single, four pence.
  • Double, eight pence.
  • Treble, one shilling.
  • Ounce, one shilling four pence.

All letters and packets from Newport, Boston, Portsmouth, and Annapolis aforesaid, to any place not exceeding one hundred English miles, and thence back again,

  • Single, six pence.
  • Double, one shilling.
  • Treble, one shilling six pence.
  • Ounce, two shillings.

All letters and packet from New York aforesaid, to the chief offices in Salem and Ipswich, and to the chief office in Piscataway, and to Williamsburgh the chief office in Virginia, and from every of those places to New York,

  • Single, one shilling three pence.
  • Double, two shillings six pence.
  • Treble, three shillings nine pence.
  • Ounce, five shillings.

All letters and packets from the chief offices in Salem, Ipswich, Piscataway, and Williamsburgh aforesaid, to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, and thence back again,

  • Single, four pence.
  • Double, eight pence.
  • Treble, one shilling.
  • Ounce, one shilling four pence.

All letters and packets from the chief offices in Salem, Ipswich, Piscataway, and Williamsburgh, aforesaid, to any place not exceeding one hundreds English miles, and thence back again,

  • Single, six pence.
  • Double, one shilling.
  • Treble, one shilling six pence.
  • Ounce, two shillings.

All letters and packets from New York aforesaid, to Charles Town, the town in North and South Carolina, and from Charles Town aforesaid, to New York,

  • Single, one shilling six pence.
  • Double, three shillings.
  • Treble, four shillings six pence.
  • Ounce, six shillings.

All letters and packets from Charles Town aforesaid, to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, and thence back again,

  • Single, four pence.
  • Double, eight pence.
  • Treble, one shilling.
  • Ounce, one shilling four pence.

All letters and packets from Charles Town aforesaid, to any place not exceeding one hundred English miles, and thence back again,

  • Single, six pence.
  • Double, one shilling.
  • Treble, one shilling six pence.
  • Ounce, two shillings.

VII. And be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That such postmaster general so to be appointed, as aforesaid, shall and may receive and take, according to the same rates and proportions for the port of letters, packets, and parcels, to or from any of the parts or places beyond the seas, where posts have not been heretofore settled, and may hereafter be settled by such postmaster general for the time being.

VIII. And be it further enacted, That all letters and packets directed to, or coining from any of the foreign parts or places aforesaid, and collected or delivered at any part or place between London and any of the ports from whence any of her Majesty's packet boats shall at any time hereafter sail, or at which they shall or may arrive with the foreign mails, do pay the same rates as if the same were conveyed in the said mails to or from London.

IX. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That such postmaster general shall be at liberty to keep and maintain packet boats to go weekly (wind and weather permitting) to and from Donachadee, or some other convenient port in Ireland, to Port Patrick, or some other convenient port in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, for conveyance of letters and packets for the conveniency of trade and commerce between the said kingdoms, paying over and above the inland rates hereby rated and appointed to be received for such letters and packets, at the place where such letter or letters are delivered in to be sent by such packet boats, according to the rates following; that is to say, For every such single letter two pence, double four pence, treble six pence, ounce eight pence.

X. And forasmuch as it may be convenient to erect some cross stages for the better maintaining of trade and commerce, and mutual correspondencies, and to settle the rates for all by or way letters and packets conveyed by post in any of the said kingdoms; be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the said first day of June, one thousand seven hundred and eleven, it shall and may be lawful to and for the postmaster general for the time being, so constituted, as aforesaid, to erect and set up cross stages to and from any place or places whatsoever; and thereupon such postmaster general, and his deputy and deputies by him thereunto sufficiently authorized, shall and may lawfully demand, have, receive, and take for the postage and conveyance, as well of all such letters and packets which he or they shall so convey, carry, or send post, as aforesaid, in any such cross stages, as for all by or way letters and packets, the same rates in proportion to the distances of the places to which they shall be directed from the places at which they shall be put in, as letters and packets conveyed and re-conveyed to and from London, are rated to pay.

XI. And for the better reducing all miles in both the said kingdoms throughout all the post roads within one hundred miles distance from the said chief offices, and in the cross roads now settled, or hereafter to be settled, to one and the same measure and standard; and for preventing disputes touching the same; be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful to and for such person and persons as the postmaster general for the time being shall appoint, to measure, or cause to be measured, by the wheel, all roads, except such roads where stages are already settled; and that such person or persons so to be authorized, shall cause fair surveys or books to be made for each of the said kingdoms; one of each whereof to be left with her Majesty's postmaster general in London; another of each to be left at the chief post office in Edinburgh, with the postmaster general's deputy there; another of each to be left at the chief post office in Dublin, with the postmaster general's deputy there, to remain in the said post offices; and each of which said books shall be signed by such person or persons making the same, and by the postmaster general for the time being, and his deputies in such general offices in each kingdom, and the comptrollers and surveyors belonging or to belong to the said general post offices in London, Edinburgh, and Dublin: which books or surveys shall ascertain and determine the distances on all the said roads.

XII. Provided always, That such person or persons who shall be authorized to measure the said distances, and every of them, shall be sworn to perform the same, according to the best of their skill and judgment; which oath shall and may be administred by any of her Majesty's justices of the peace in the said kingdoms respectively, who shall make a certificate thereof in writing, to be entred in the three general post offices aforesaid, without fee or charge.

XIII. Provided always, That all merchants accounts not exceeding one sheet of paper, and all bills of exchange, invoices, and bills of lading, are, and shall hereby be understood to be allowed without rate in the price of the letters; and likewise the covers of letters, not exceeding one fourth part of a sheet of paper, sent by the way of Vienna, Marseilles, Venice, or Leghorne, to be sent to or from Turkey, shall be understood to be allowed to pass without rate or payment for the same.

XIV. And in regard the said postmaster general and his deputies are obliged, as well for performing the duties of the several stages of Great Britain and Ireland, as for furnishing such as ride post with horses and furniture, to be at great charge to maintain a convenient number of servants, horses, and furniture; be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful to and for such postmaster general and his deputy and deputies, to ask, demand, take and receive of every person, that he or they shall furnish and provide with horses and furniture, or with horses, furniture, and guide, to ride post in any of the post roads, as aforesaid, three pence of British money for each and every horse-hire or postage for every English mile, and four pence of like money for the person riding as guide for every stage; and the deputy or deputies of such postmaster general shall not charge any person riding post, for the carrying of any bundle or parcel of goods, carried along with them, in their way of travel, so as any such bundle or parcel of goods do not exceed the weight of eighty pounds averdupois, to be laid on the horse rid by the guide, and no deputy shall be obliged to carry above that weight for any person riding post.

XV. And whereas, upon the arrival of ships from parts beyond the seas, into several ports within her Majesty's dominions, many letters directed to several merchants and others, have been either imbezilled or long detained, to the great damage of the merchants and others, to whom the same were directed, in want of that speedy advice and intelligence, which they might had, if the same had been forthwith dispatched by the settled posts, and sometimes such letters have been delivered by the masters or passengers of such ships, to ignorant and loose hands that understand not the ways and means of speedy conveyance and delivery of letters, whereby great prejudice hath accrued to the affairs of merchants and others, as well by the miscarriage of many letters so brought, as oftentimes by the opening the same, to the discovery of the correspondency and secrets of the merchants; be it therefore further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all letters and packets, that by any master of any ship or vessel, or any of his company, or any passengers therein, shall or may be brought to any port town, or which shall arrive or touch at any port belonging to any port town, within any her Majesty's dominions, or any the members thereof, or which shall be on board any ship or vessel, that shall do touch or stay at any such port town (other than such letters as are before excepted, or may be sent by common known carriers in manner aforesaid, or by a friend, as aforesaid) shall, by such master, passenger, or other person or persons, be forthwith delivered unto the deputy or deputies only of such postmaster general for the time being, by him appointed, for such place or port town, and to be by such deputy or deputies sent post unto the said general post office, to be delivered according to the several and respective directions of the same, upon pain of forfeiting the sum of five pounds of British money, for every several offence against the tenor of this present act.

XVI. And for the encouragement of all such masters of ships or vessels, or such other persons, on their arrival at such ports, as aforesaid, from any parts beyond the seas, to deliver unto the deputy or deputies of such postmaster general for such place or port town at which they shall so touch or arrive, all such letters and packets as they shall respectively have on board such vessel or vessels, every such master or other persons, for every letter or packet of letters he or they shall so deliver unto such deputy or deputies, shall receive the sum of one penny, of such deputy or deputies, he or they signing a certificate of the number of letters delivered, and by what vessel they came, and of the time when he or they delivered the fame to such deputy or deputies, and giving a receipt for such number of pence as he or they shall receive of such deputy or deputies; which certificate and receipt shall be by such deputy by the next post returned to the said postmaster general, together with the letters so delivered, who shall have credit on his account for so much money as any such deputy shall pay on that account.

XVII. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That no person or persons whatsoever, or body politick or corporate, in any part of these kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, or other her Majesty's plantations and colonies in the West Indies and America, other than such postmaster general as shall, from time to time, be nominated and appointed by her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and constituted by letters patents under the great seal of Great Britain, as aforesaid, and his and deputies, or assigns, shall presume to receive, take up, order, dispatch, convey, carry, recarry, or deliver any letter or letters, packet or packets of letters (other than as before excepted) or make any collection of letters, or set up or employ any foot post, horse post, or packet boat, or other vessel or boat, or other person or persons, conveyance or conveyances whatsoever, for the receiving, taking up, ordering, dispatching, conveying, carrying, recarrying, or delivering any letter or letters, packet or packets of letters, by sea or by land, or on any river, within her Majesty's dominions, or by means whereof any letter or letters, packet or packets of letters, shall be collected, received, taken up, ordered, dispatched, conveyed, carried, recarried, or delivered, by sea or land, or on any river, within her Majesty's dominions (other than as before excepted) or shall presume to keep, provide, and maintain horses, or furniture for the horsing of any person or persons riding post, that is to say, riding several stages upon a post road, and changing horses, or shall lett to hire, or furnish any person or persons whatsoever with horses or furniture for riding post, as aforesaid, on any of the post roads or stages now or hereafter to be appointed, with or without a guide or horn, for hire or reward, or on any agreement or promise of reward, or whereby he or they may have any profit or advantage; on pain forfeiting the sum of five pounds of British money for every several offence against the tenor of this present act, and also of the sum of one hundred pounds of like British money for every week that any offender against this act shall collect, receive, take up, order, dispatch, convey, carry, recarry, or deliver any letter or letters, packet or packets of letters, by sea or land, or on any river, within her Majesty's dominions (other than as before excepted) or that shall presume to set up, continue, or employ any foot post, horse post, or packet boat, or other vessel or boat, or any other person or persons, conveyance or conveyances whatsoever, for the receiving, taking up, ordering, dispatching, conveying, carrying, recarrying, or delivering of any letter or letters, packet or packets of letters, by sea or land, or on any river, within her Majesty's dominions, as aforesaid.

XVIII. And whereas divers deputy postmasters do collect great quantities of post letters called by or way letters, and by clandestine and private agreements amongst themselves, do convey the same post in their respective mails, or by bags, according to their several directions, without accounting for the same, or endorsing the same on their bills, to the great detriment of her Majesty s revenues: for preventing whereof for the time to come; be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if at any time hereafter, any person or persons employed as a deputy postmaster, or otherwise, in these kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, or in any of her Majesty's dominions and territories in the West Indies, or in North America, shall not duly answer and account to her Majesty, her heirs and successors, for all such by or way letters as such deputy of deputies, or any by his, her, or their order shall receive the port for, or that shall not on his or her post bills exactly mention all the by or way letters he, she, or they shall or do receive, or which shall come to his, her, or their hand or hands, custody or power, distinguishing them severally, whether single, double, treble, or ounce weight, or that shall destroy or embezil any such by letter or by letters, packet or packets of letters; every such person so offending shall forfeit and pay for every such offence, such penalties and forfeitures, as the persons herein before prohibited, setting up or employing other posts, or collecting, carrying, recarrying, ordering, dispatching, or delivering letters and packets contrary hereunto, are enacted to forfeit and pay.

XIX. And it is hereby enacted, That all and singular the said several penalties and forfeitures by this act imposed on any offender or offenders against the same, or any part thereof, shall and may be sued for and recovered by action or actions of debt, bill, plaint, or information, in any of her Majesty's courts of record, wherein no effoin, privilege, protection, or wager of law shall be admitted; and the said several and respective penalties and forfeitures, that shall happen from time to time to be recovered, shall be and remain, the one moiety thereof to her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and the other moiety thereof to such person or persons who shall or will inform against the offender or offenders against this present act, and shall and will sue for the said penalties and forfeitures upon the same; and on every such recovery, such person or persons so informing, and prosecuting for the said penalties and forfeitures, shall recover, and have also taxed and paid, their full costs of suit.

XX. Provided always, That if any postmaster of any respective stages on any post-roads, in any her Majesty's dominions, now settled, or hereafter to be settled, doth not or cannot furnish any person or persons riding in post, with sufficient horses within the space of one half hour after demand, that then such person or persons is and are hereby understood to be left at liberty to provide themselves as conveniently as they can to the next stage, and so at every stage where he or they shall not be furnished, as aforesaid; and the person or persons who shall furnish such horses, shall not therefore be liable to any penalties or forfeitures contained in this act, by reason thereof.

XXI. Provided always, That if through default or neglect the postmaster general, or his deputy for the time being, any person or persons riding in post, shall fail, as aforesaid, of being furnished with a sufficient horse or horses, for his or their use after demand, as aforesaid, that then and in every such case the postmaster general or his deputy, so offending, shall forfeit the sum of five pounds sterling; the one moiety to her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and the other moiety to him or them who shall sue for the same in any court of record, to be and divided, as aforesaid.

XXII. Provided always, and be it further enacted, That nothing herein contained shall be understood to prohibit the carrying or re-carrying of any letters or packets, to or from any town or place, to or from the next respective post-road or stage appointed for that purpose, above six miles from the said general post-office, or the chief offices of Edinburgh and Dublin, but that every person shall have free liberty to send and employ such person or persons as they shall think fit for to carry the said letters or packets, as aforesaid, without any forfeiture or penalty therefore; any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

XXIII. Provided always nevertheless, That nothing herein contained hall be construed to extend to give licence to any person or persons whatsoever, to make collection of letters in or near the city of London, or suburbs thereof, under pretence of conveying the same to any parts or places in the said city or suburbs, or to the general office of the said city, without the licence and leave of the postmaster general for the time being: and any person or persons acting contrary hereunto shall forfeit and pay as persons collecting, receiving, carrying, re-carrying, and delivering letters contrary to this act, are hereby enacted to forfeit and pay, to be recovered, as aforesaid, and with full costs of suit.

XXIV. Provided always, That if the packet or mail shall be carried out of Great Britain into any part or place beyond the seas, in any ship or vessel which is not a free ship, and navigated with such seamen as, by the laws of this land, the same are required to be, that then, and in every such case, the postmaster general for the time being shall forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds sterling, the one moiety to her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and the other moiety to him or them who shall sue for the same in any court of record, to be recovered by bill, plaint, or other information, wherein no effoin, protection, or wager at law shall be allowed.

XXV. Provided always, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That such postmaster general, and all officers and deputies acting under him, and all officers belonging to the said general post-office, within that part of the said united kingdom called England, receiving the sacrament according to the usage of the church of England, and taking, making, and subscribing the test, and the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, and abjuration, appointed by any of the laws of the said part of the said united kingdom, to be taken, made, and subscribed by officers in publick places of trust in the government, and within such times, and in such places as are particularly appointed by any of those laws for doing the same, shall be deemed and taken to be sufficiently qualified to act in their respective stations and duties, and to execute their respective employments throughout the said whole united kingdom, and all other her Majesty's dominions, and shall not incur any penalties, forfeitures, or disabilities, for not taking the oaths of allegiance and abjuration, and subscribing the assurance appointed by any the laws of that part of the said united kingdom called Scotland, or by any law or laws of the said united kingdom of Great Britain, to be taken and made by any person in publick trust, notwithstanding such postmaster general, and such deputies and officers, shall exercise their respective offices and employments within all and every the parts and places of that part of the said united kingdom called Scotland: and all deputies and agents acting under such postmaster general within that part of the said united kingdom called Scotland, taking and making the oaths of allegiance and abjuration, and subscribing the same, with the assurance appointed by any of the laws of the said part of the said united kingdom called Scotland, or by any law or laws of the said united kingdom of Great Britain, to be taken and made by any person in publick trust, and within such times, and at such places, as are particularly appointed by any of those laws for doing the same, shall be deemed and taken to be sufficiently qualified to execute and exercise their respective employments in the said office throughout the said whole united kingdom, and all other her Majesty's dominions; any act or acts of parliament in either of the said united kingdoms at any time heretofore made to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

XXVI. Provided also, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That a letter or packet post shall twice every week come by the way of Trurow and Penrin to the town of Penzance, in the county of Cornwall; and once a week to Kendall, by the way of Lancaster; and to the town of Penrith in Cumberland, by the way of Newcastle and Carlisle; and to the city of Lincoln and the borough of Grimsby, in the county of Lincoln; any thing in this act contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

XXVII. And for the better management of the said post-office, and that the people of these kingdoms may have their intercourse of commerce and trade the better maintained, and their letters and advices conveyed, carried, and re-carried with the greatest speed, security, and conveniency that may be; be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the said postmaster general so nominated, appointed, and constituted, as aforesaid, and his deputies, shall, from time to time, observe and follow such orders, rules, directions, and instructions for and concerning the settlement of posts and stages upon the several roads in Great Britain and Ireland, and other her Majesty's dominions, and the providing and keeping a sufficient number of horses at the several stages, as well for the carrying and conveying the said letters and packets, as for the horsing of all persons riding in post by warrant, or otherwise, as aforesaid, as her Majesty, her heirs and successors, shall, from time to time, in that behalf make and ordain.

XXVIII. Provided always, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That no person or persons shall have power to take, use, or seize any horses for the services mentioned in this act, without the consent of the owner or owners thereof; any law, statute, usage, or custom to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

XXIX. And forasmuch as the post must necessarily pass several ferries in North America, in which the ferrymen give great delays, and sometimes have endeavoured to exact money from them, notwithstanding the same have always been free for the post; be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, That no deputy or agent of such postmaster general, travelling with any mail of letters, shall pay any thing for passing or repassing any ferry within any of the colonies or plantations of her said Majesty in North America aforesaid; but such ferrymen shall forthwith, within one half hour after demand, convey such deputies, on pain of forfeiting for every offence the sum of five pounds, to be recovered in any court of record within any of the provinces or colonies in North America, by bill, plaint, or information, where in no effoin, protection, or wager of law shall be allowed; one moiety thereof to her Majesty, her heirs and successors, towards the support of the government of the said provinces, and the contingent charges thereof; and the other moiety to the postmaster general, who shall sue and prosecute for the same, together with full costs of suit.

XXX. And whereas many persons having received their letters, refuse to pay for the same, or often run in debt for the postage their letters, or having received some small sum for the port of letters, which sums being very small in particular, are properly to be recovered in a summary way; be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all sum and sums of money, not exceeding five pounds, that now is, or shall be due from any person or persons for letters or packets, or any letter or packet, to them delivered by any deputy or deputies of such postmaster general, or which now is, or shall be due from any person persons for the port of letters or packets to them delivered by any deputy or agent of such postmaster general, not exceeding the said value, or which have been, or shall be received for the port of letters, not exceeding the same value, without answering or paying the monies so due and owing to the receiver general of the said revenues for her Majesty's use, shall be recovered before justices of the peace, in the same manner, and under the same rules, as small tithes are, by the laws of England, to be recovered; and such debt or sums of money shall be preferable in payment by the person owing the same, or from whose estate the same is or shall be due, before any debt of sort to any private person whomsoever.

XXXI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all inland letters sent by any packet post established by this act, as aforesaid, do and shall pay the rates and prices before mentioned at such stages at which they are last delivered only, unless the party that doth put in the letters desireth to pay elsewhere, and unless any such letters are directed on board any ship or vessel, or to any person in the army, or are sent by the penny-post, and unless they be letters or packets going out of Great Britain, which have usually paid the rates in England; any thing in this act contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

XXXII. Provided always, That this act, or any thing therein contained, shall not in any wise be prejudicial to the privileges of the two universities of Oxford and Cambridge, or either of them, or to the chancellors or scholars of the same, or their successors, but that they may use and enjoy such privileges as heretofore they have lawfully used and enjoyed, and that all letters and other things may be sent or conveyed to or from the said two universities in manner as heretofore hath been used; any thing herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

XXXIII. Provided always, That it shall and may be lawful to and for the postmaster general for the time being, his deputy and deputies, to continue by-bags for collecting and delivering of by-letters as hath been heretofore accustomed; such deputy and deputies duly accounting to, and paying the respective ports thereof to the receiver general of the said revenue for the time being, for the use of her Majesty, her heirs and successors.

XXXIV. Provided always, and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all and every sum and sums of money which shall or may be due and owing to her Majesty on the said first day of June, one thousand seven hundred and eleven, for the duties and revenues that have arisen, or shall or may arise to that time by posts, or by reason of the duties and revenues granted by either of the said former acts, shall be paid to the receiver general of the said revenue, for her Majesty's use, and be recovered and recoverable in such manner, and by such ways and means, as the same were recoverable before the making of this present act; any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

XXXV. And towards the establishment of a good, sure, and lasting fund, in order to raise a present supply of money for carrying on the war, and other her Majesty's most necessary occasions; be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the twenty ninth day of September, one thousand seven hundred and eleven, for and during the whole term of thirty two years from thence next and immediately ensuing, the full, clear, and intire weekly sum of seven hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain, out of all the duties and revenues from time to time, arising by virtue of this act, shall be brought and paid by the postmaster general, the receiver general of the post-office, or such other person or persons who, for the time being, shall have the receipt of the laid duties and revenues, who are hereby respectively enjoined and required to bring and pay the same accordingly, into the receipt of the Exchequer, upon Tuesday in every week, if it be not an holy-day, and if it be, then upon the next day that is not an holy-day, as one week shall successively and immediately and succeed another; and in case in any week or weeks the whole receipt of the monies of the said duties or revenues hereby charged, as aforesaid, shall not be sufficient to answer the said weekly payment or payments hereby directed for such particular week or weeks, that then and so often the deficiency and deficiencies thereof shall be supplied and made good out of the whole receipt of the said duties or revenues arising in the next week or weeks, when the receipt or receipts shall be sufficient to bear the same; all which payments into the Exchequer shall be made for the purposes, and under the penalties, forfeitures, and disabilities hereafter in this act expressed.

XXXVI. And it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the postmaster general for the time being, at the head office in London, shall, from time to time, cause an account to be kept by an accountant general of all the monies arising by virtue of this act, of or for the duties or revenues aforesaid, and every or any of them, as the same shall, from time to time arise, be paid or brought into the said office, to the hands of the receiver general for the time being, who is or shall be appointed, from time to time, to receive the same; and that such receiver general for the time being shall, out of the monies so arising, make the said weekly payments into the Exchequer, in manner, as aforesaid; and if the said postmaster general for the time being shall refuse or neglect to appoint or keep such accountant general, or if such accountant general shall neglect to keep a just and true account, as aforesaid, or if such receiver general shall at any time refuse or neglect to make any such weekly payments, as aforesaid, into the Exchequer, according to the true meaning of this act, or if the said postmaster general, accountant general and receiver general for the time being, or any of them, or any other officer of the said duties, shall divert or misapply any of the monies which should make good the said weekly payments, or any of them, or any part thereof, contrary to the tenor and true meaning of this act, at any time or times, during the said term of thirty two years, then and in any such case they and every of them so offending shall forfeit their several offices and places, and be incapable to serve the Queen, her heirs or successors, in any office or place of trust or profit, and shall be liable, for every such offence, to pay double the value of the money so diverted or misapplied, to any person or persons who shall or may be grieved by reason of such offence, and will inform or sue for the same by action of debt, or of the case, bill, suit, or information, in any of her Majesty's courts of record at Westminster, wherein no effoin, protection, wager of law, or more than one imparlance shall be granted or allowed.

XXXVII. And to the end the said weekly sum of seven hundred pounds may be made a fund or security for the purposes in this act expressed; be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That there shall be provided and kept in the office of the auditor of the receipt of the Exchequer, one book, in which all the monies which shall be paid in weekly, as aforesaid, for, or upon account of the said weekly sums out of the said duties, shall be entred apart and distinct from all other monies which shall be brought and paid to the said receipt upon any other account whatsoever.

XXXVIII. Provided always, and it is hereby enacted, That the said weekly sum of seven hundred pounds for the purposes aforesaid, shall, from time to time, during all the said term of thirty two years, be paid into the Exchequer, as aforesaid, out of the whole produce of the duties and revenues arising by virtue of this act, with preference to all other payments which are, shall, or may be charged or chargeable thereupon, the necessary charges for managing the said post-office, and the duties thereof, and for receiving, answering, and accounting for the revenues arising thereby, only excepted; and that the said duties and revenues arising by this act, (after deduction, from time to time, to be first made of so much as shall be then due and incurred, or in arrear of or for the said weekly payments, at any me within or during the term aforesaid, and after the allowance of such necessary charges, as aforesaid, and not otherwise shall, from time to time, be subject and liable to such annuities, and other payments and incumbrances, which by any act pf parliament now in force were lawfully charged upon the revenues of the post-office, or any of them, granted by the said former acts hereby repealed, as aforesaid, or which having been charged by any grant upon the said revenues, have been saved by act of parliament, of and for such estate and estates in possession, reversion, or remainder, and subject to such conditions, limitations, restrictions, and appointments, and in such or the like manner and form, (and not otherwise) as the said revenues, payable by the said former acts, or any of them, would have been subject or liable if this act had not been made; any thing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

XXXIX. Provided always, and be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the first day of June, one thousand seven hundred forty and three, the same rates and prices only, and no more, shall be taken or paid for the carriage, conveyance, and delivery of all letters and packets sent by the post from one part of Great Britain to another, as also for all letters brought to Great Britain, or sent from thence, from or to any parts beyond the seas, than were authorized or allowed to be taken by the postmaster general, or his deputy or deputies, for the postage of such letters, by the said several acts hereby repealed.

XL. And whereas abuses may be committed by wilfully opening, imbeziling, detaining and delaying of letters or packets, to the great discouragement of trade, commerce, and correspondence: for prevention thereof, be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the said first day of June, one thousand seven hundred and eleven, no person or persons shall presume wittingly, willingly, or knowingly, to open, detain, or delay, or cause, procure, permit, or suffer to be opened, detained, or delayed, any letter or letters, packet or packets, after the same is or shall be delivered into the general or other post office, or into the hands of any person or persons employed for the receiving or carrying post letters, and before delivery to the persons to whom they are directed, or for their use; except by an express warrant in writing under the hand of one of the principal secretaries of state for every such opening, detaining, or delaying; or except in such cases where the party or parties, to whom such letter or letters, packet or packets, shall be directed, or who is or are hereby chargeable with the payment of the port or ports thereof, shall refuse or neglect to pay the same; and except such letters or packets as shall be returned for want of true directions, and where the party, to whom the same is or are directed, cannot be found; and that every person or persons offending in manner aforesaid, or who shall imbezil any such letter or letters, packet or packets, shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of twenty pounds; the said penalties for any such offence Committed in England, Wales, or Berwick upon Tweed, to be recovered by action, bill, plaint, or information in any of her Majesty's courts of record at Westminster; and for any such offence committed in that part of Great Britain called Scotland, to be recovered in the court of sessions or Exchequer there; such penalties respectively to be recovered by such person or persons as will inform or sue for the same, together with full costs of suit; and over and above such penalty, as aforesaid, every such person or persons so offending, as aforesaid, shall be for ever incapable of having, using, exercising, or enjoying any office, trust, or employment in or relating to the post-office, or any branch thereof.

XLI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That no person or persons shall, after the said first day of June, one thousand seven hundred, and eleven, be capable of having, using, or exercising the office or offices of postmaster general, or any part thereof, or any other employment relating to the post office, or any branch thereof, or be any way concerned in receiving, sorting, or delivering of letters or packets, unless such person or persons shall first have taken the following oath before some one justice of the peace for the county or where such person resides, which said oath such justice of peace is hereby authorized to administer in the following words:

I A. B. do swear, That I will not wittingly, willingly, or knowingly open, detain, or delay, or cause, procure, permit, or suffer to be opened, detained, or delayed any letter or letters, packet or packets, which shall come into my hands, power, or custody, by reason of my employment in or relating to the post office; except by the consent of the person or persons to whom the same is or shall be directed, or by an express warrant in writing under the hand of one of the principal secretaries of state for that purpose; or except in such cases, where the party or parties to whom such letter or letters, packet or packets shall be directed, or who is or are hereby chargeable with the payment of the port or ports thereof, shall refuse or neglect to pay the same; and except such letters or packets as shall be returned for want of true directions, or when the party or parties to whom the same is or shall be directed, cannot be found: and that I will not any way imbezil any such letter or letters, packet or packets, as aforesaid.

XLII. And it is further enacted and declared by the authority aforesaid, That from the said first day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eleven, one third part of the surplus of the yearly produce arising by the said letter or post office, or duties upon postage of letters and packets by this act granted, over and above the sum of one hundred and eleven thousand four hundred sixty one pounds, seventeen shillings and ten pence, which was the amount of the gross receipt of the duties arising by virtue of the said former acts of parliament, (which are now repealed) for one year ended the nine and twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ten, and over and above the said sum of seven hundred pounds per week, shall be, and is by this act reserved to the disposal of parliament for the use of the publick, and shall not be divertible or diverted to any other use, intent, or purpose, other than according to such disposal.

XLIII. And to the intent the inheritance of such part of the said duties and revenue arising in and by the said general letter office or post office, which is hereby vested in her Majesty, her heirs and successors, undeterminable, as aforesaid, may be preserved in the crown, for the future benefit thereof; be it further enacted and declared by the authority aforesaid, That the same, or any part thereof, shall not hereafter be alienable chargeable or grantable by her Majesty, her heirs or successors, for any estate, term, or time whatsoever, to endure longer than the life of her Majesty, or of such King or Queen as shall make such alienation, charge, or grant respectively; and that all gifts, grants, alienations, and assurances whatsoever, to be had or made of, and charges upon the said duties or revenue, or any part thereof, contrary to the provision of this act, shall be null and void, without any inquisition, Scire facias, or other proceeding to determine or make void the same.

XLIV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That no postmaster or postmasters general, or his or their deputy or deputies, or any person employed by or under him or them, in the receiving, collecting, or managing the revenue of the post office, or any part thereof, shall, by word, message, or writing, or in any other manner whatsoever, endeavour to persuade any elector to give or disswade any elector from giving his vote for the choice of any person to be a knight of the shire, citizen, burgess, or baron of any county, city, borough, or cinque port, to serve in parliament; and every officer or other person offending therein shall forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds; one moiety thereof to the informer, the other moiety to the poor of the parish where such offence shall be committed, to be recovered by action of debt, bill, plaint, or information in any of her Majesty's courts of record at Westminster, or in the court of Exchequer in Scotland, for the said offences committed in England or Scotland respectively, wherein no effoin, protection, or wager of law, or any more than one imparlance shall be allowed; and every person convict on any such suit of thesaid offence, shall thereby become disabled and incapable of ever bearing or executing any office or place of trust whatsoever under her Majesty, her heirs or successors.