PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS

At a Councell sitting at the Councell Chamber, in Boston, upon Thursday, March ye 30, 1693.

His Excll'ie being absent from the Province, Mr. Stoughton, Esqr. Leivt Govern'r.

JAMES RUSSELL,

JOHN JOYLLIFE,

JOHN W ALLEY,

SAM'LL HAYMAN,

RICH'D MIDDLECUT,

JOHN RICHARDS,

SAM'LL SEWALL,

PETER SARJEANT,

JOSEPH LYNDE,

ADAM WINTHROP. Esqrs

Whereas their most excellent Majesties by their letters pattents, under the great seal of England, have granted unto Thomas Neale, Esqr. his executors, &c. full power and authority to erect, settle and establish within the chief ports of the severall Islands, Colonies and Plantations in America, an office or offices for the receiving and dispatching of letters and packetts for the encouragement and benefit of trade and correspondence, to be held, used, exercised and injoyed by the said Thomas Neale his Execu'rs, Adm'rs, and Assignes dureing the term of twenty one years in the said letters pattents mentioned; and her sacred Maj'tie, the Queen having speedily recommended unto Ms Excell'cy the Govern'r the assisting and countenance of Andrew Hamelton, Esqr, deputed and constituted to govern and mannage the said Gen'11 Post office for and throughout all the plantations and colonies upon the main land or continent of North America, his deputy agents or servants upon all occasions in the management of the said general post office, and the due execution of all and singular the power and authoritys contayned in the said letters patents. And whereas, the said Andrew Hamelton, Esq. hath attented his Excell'cy and councell about that affair, presenting a memoriall, therein proposeing the rates to be assertained for the posts of letters, &c. and to be continued by the space of three years next comeing, and severall fredomes and immunities to be granted unto such as shall be imployed under him as post masters at the respective stages, which proposalls for the post of letters, are as follows, that is to say from Europe, two pence, ye West Indies, or from any parts beyond sea, two pence each single letter, which is to be accounted such altho it claimes bills of lading, Gazets, Invoyces, &c. and for all packetts of letters, four pence, and if letters or packetts lye at the post office uncalled for by the space of forty eight hours, the postmaster then sending them forth to the respective houses of the persons to whom they are directed, one penny more for every such letter or packett. The post of inland letters to be as follows, that is to say, to be from Rhod Island to Boston after the rate of six pence for each single letter, and soe in proportion to the greatness and quantity of letters, and for letters taken in upon post in Connecticott colony for Boston, after the rate of nine pence for each single letter, to or from New York, after the rate of twelve pence for each single letter, to or from Jersies or Pensilvania, after the rate of fifteen pence for each single letter, to or from Virginia or Maryland, after the rate of two shillings for each single letter, and so proportionally aforesaid, to or from Salem, after the rate of three pence for each single letter, to and from Ipswich, Newberry or other places within this province, four pence for each single letter, to and from Piscatagua, six pence for each single letter, and so in proportion. All publique letters to be receaved and dispatched free of charge.

And that the post pass fferridges free within within this province. In consideration whereof, the said Andrew Hamelton, Esqr. doth ingage to erect the said post office at Boston, by the beginning of May next, and that the post shall passe from Boston to New Yorke, and from Boston to Pensilvania every week, and will state the Satterclay for its setting forth and returning. The Leivt. Gov'r and Councill adviseing upon the aforesaid proposalls, and apprehending the said undertaking to be for their Maj'ties service, and for the great advantage of correspondence and trade and comerce, do so farr approve thereof as to recommend the same to the Generall Assembly at their next setting to be enacted with such further freedome and immunities to the post master as may be encouraging, &c.

By order of the Leivt. Gov'r and Councill.

JAS. ADDINGTON, Sec'y.