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Cheap Postage

Chapter 1: PUBLISHING DIRECTION.
By Joshua Leavitt
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About This Book

The pamphlet argues for a system of uniformly low postage, documenting British postal reform outcomes and comparing them with prevailing American practices. It presents parliamentary returns and tables showing rapid increases in letter volume after rate reduction, financial data on revenues and administrative costs, and accounts of private carrier competition. The author analyzes policy choices—distance-based rates versus single-rate reform—and reports committee proceedings and testimony to support adopting low, inexpensive postage to expand correspondence, commerce, education, and social ties. An appendix supplies detailed official statistics and extracts underscoring fiscal and civic effects, while urging legislative action to implement similar postal reforms.

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PUBLISHING DIRECTION.

Subjoined are the proceedings under which the following sheets were prepared and are now published:

“At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Cheap Postage Association, on the 31st of March, 1848, Dr. Howe, Dr. Webb, and Mr. Leavitt were appointed a Committee of Publication. And on motion of Dr. Samuel G. Howe, it was

“Voted, That the Publishing Committee be authorized to procure the compilation of a pamphlet on the subject of Cheap Postage and Postal Reform.

“At a meeting of the Board, on the 25th of April, 1848, Mr. Leavitt, the Corresponding Secretary, on behalf of the Publishing Committee, reported the copy of a pamphlet on the subject prescribed. And on motion of Mr. Moses Kimball, it was

“Voted, That the pamphlet be printed for general circulation, under the direction of the Publishing Committee.”

J. W. James,
Chairman of the Board.

Charles B. Fairbanks, Recording Secretary.

Boston, April 26, 1848.

BOSTON:
PRINTED BY FREEMAN AND BOLLES,
DEVONSHIRE STREET.

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