Part 1 (2/2)

[13] _Colonial Records of Connecticut_, Vol. II., p. 242.

The next move came from New York, Gov. Dongan's proposition of 1684,[14]

to which reference has already been made, adding to Lovelace's scheme of a post between New York and Boston, the suggestion that post houses be established along the coast from Carolina to Nova Scotia. A letter to him from Sir John Werden (August 27, 1684), whose t.i.tle to the profits from the English post office[15] was held to include the British provinces, approves the project and suggests that the privilege be offered for three or five years by way of form, with a reservation of not less than one-tenth of the profits to the duke. Six months later (February 18, 1684/5), Dongan writes[16] him that he had sent _permission_ to set up a post house but no _power_ to do it, although the neighboring colonies much desired it and in some places had established foot and horse messengers. He adds, ”I am going to Connecticut to-morrow, to do all possible to settle a post office to Pemaquid this spring and endeavor settlement of post house at Boston.”

[14] Brodhead, Vol. I.

[15] _Colonial Doc.u.ments of N. Y._, Vol. III., pp. 349-350.

[16] _Colonial Doc.u.ments of N. Y._, Vol. III., p. 355.

On his return from Connecticut (March 2, 1684/5), the governor ordained in the New York council,[17] ”That for the better correspondence between the colonies of America, a post office be established; and that the rates for riding post be per mile three pence; for every single letter, not above one hundred miles, three pence; if more, proportionably.”

[17] _Colonial Doc.u.ments of N. Y._, Vol. III.

A letter[18] from Sir Edmund Andros to John Allyn, dated November 23, 1687, speaks of a contemplated post from Boston to the farthest settlements of Connecticut, John Perry to go between Hartford, Fairfield and Stamford once a month in the winter, and every three weeks during the summer, as Allyn suggests in his answer. A letter from Samuel Sewall[19] to Samuel Mather, at Windsor, Connecticut, as early as March 6, 1685/6[20], mentions John Perry as bearer and a postage of 3d. That this project was carried out is evident from the complaint brought before the council of New York[21] by John Perry, that on his way to Boston he was laid hold on by warrant from the usurper Leysler, brought to New York and his letters opened, the apparent object being to destroy commerce and trade.

[18] _Connecticut Records_, Vol. III., pp. 392, 393, 398.

[19] _Letter Book of Sam. Sewall_, Vol. I., p. 25.

[20] The discrepancy in dates leads to the supposition that John Perry served as bearer before his actual appointment.

[21] _Colonial Doc.u.ments of N. Y._, Vol. III., p. 682.

June 11th, 1689, the Ma.s.sachusetts general court[22] appointed Richard Wilkins, postmaster, to receive all letters and deliver them out at 1d.

each.

[22] _Ma.s.s. Provincial Records._

In 1691/2, a new era opened for the colonial post office. On February 7th, of that year, William and Mary, by letters patent, granted[23] to ”Thomas Neale, Esq., his executors, administrators and a.s.signes, full power and authority to erect, settle and establish within the chief parts of their majesties' colonies and plantations in America, an office or offices for the receiving and dispatching letters and pacquets, and to receive, send and deliver the same under such rates and sums of money as the planters shall agree to give, and to hold and enjoy the same for the terme of twenty-one years.”

[23] _Ma.s.s. Historical Collections_, 3d series, Vol VII., pp. 50-51.

To govern and manage the general post office,[24] Neale appointed (April 4th, 1692) Andrew Hamilton, an Edinburgh merchant, who in 1685 had emigrated to New Jersey, and become special agent of the proprietors.

[24] _Ma.s.s. Historical Collections_, 3d series, Vol. VII., p. 51, also Palfrey's _History of New England_.

On the deposition of Andros in 1689, Hamilton embarked for England to consult with the proprietors; on the voyage was taken prisoner by the French, but soon released, and in 1692 was made governor of New Jersey.

Hamilton's application to the colonial legislatures[25] to ”ascertain and establish such rates and terms as should tend to quicker maintenance of mutual correspondence among all neighboring colonies and plantations and that trade and commerce might be better preserved,” met with a favorable response from the colonial governments.

[25] Palfrey, IV., p. 329.

He first presented the subject to Governor Fletcher and the New York legislature.[26] The council, meeting at Fort Wm. Henry, October 29, 1692,[27] after reading his proposition, and also a letter from the queen to the governor, urging him to a.s.sist Hamilton in settling the office, appointed Colonels Courtlandt and Bayard a committee[28] to deliver the proposition to the house of representatives, and in November (1692) the bill was pa.s.sed by both houses and signed by the governor.

The chief provisions of the bill are as follows:[29] A general letter office was to be ”erected and established in some convenient place within the city of New York,” one master of the general office to be appointed from time to time by Hamilton, who with his servant or agent should have the ”receiving, taking up, ordering, dispatching, sending post or with speed and delivery of all letters and pacquets whatsoever, which shall from time to time be sent to and from all and every of the adjacent collonies and plantations on the main land and continent of America or any other of their majesties kingdoms and dominions beyond the Seas.” The postmaster was to ”prepare and provide horses and furniture unto all through posts and persons riding in post.” Rates for single letters to or from Europe, the West Indies or elsewhere to and from beyond the seas, were 9d., and the same from Boston or Maryland to New York; from Virginia, 12d., and to or from any place not exceeding eighty miles from New York, four pence half penny.

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