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Post Office Act 1835
(5 & 6 Will 4 c.25, 21st August 1835)

An Act to extend the Accommodation by the Post to and from Foreign Parts and for other Purposes relating to the Post Office.
[21st August 1835]

WHEREAS by virtue of divers Acts of Parliament His Majesty's Postmaster General is authorized, to and the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand. have, receive, and take certain Rates of Postage for the Conveyance of Letters and Packets by the Post between the United Kingdom and Foreign Parts: And whereas, in addition to said Rates, such Letters and Packets are subject to Rates Postage for their Conveyance within Foreign Kingdoms States: And whereas it is expedient, for the Purpose of facilitating the Intercourse with Foreign Countries, that the Postage, as well British as Foreign, on such Letters and Packets, should be payable in whole or in part either by the Sender or Receiver:

Be it therefore enacted by the King'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 the Authority of the same, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being, and his Deputies, and he and they are hereby authorized and empowered, to receive and take, upon any Letters or Packets addressed to any Foreign Kingdom or State, from the Person sending the same, the Postage both British and Foreign in one entire Sum, for the Conveyance of such Letters and Packets by the Post to the Places to which the same shall be respectively addressed, and also to demand, receive, and take, upon Letters and Packets coming from Foreign Parts addressed to any Place within His Majesty's Dominions, in addition to the British Rates of Postage to which the same may be liable, the Rates of Foreign Postage which may be due or payable in respect thereof, and to account for or pay over to any Foreign Kingdom or State, Kingdoms or States, entitled to receive the same, the Amount of such Foreign Postage.

II. And be it further enacted, That from and after the Postmaster General for the Time being shall have made and entered into any Treaty or Agreement with the Post Office of any Foreign Kingdom or State for collecting and accounting for the British Postage on Letters and Packets sent by the Post from the United Kingdom to any such Foreign Kingdom or State, or to any other Foreign Kingdom or State, and so long as any such Treaty or Agreement shall continue in force, it shall be optional with every Person sending any Letter or Packet by the Post from the United Kingdom to any Foreign Kingdom or State which shall be included in any such Treaty or Agreement, or to which the same shall extend, to pay the British and Foreign Postage thereof in one entire Sum as aforesaid, or to send the same without Payment of any Part of such entire Sum, to the Intent that the whole thereof may be paid by the Person or Persons to whom the same shall be addressed, or otherwise to pay the British Postage only (as heretofore) on any such Letter or Packet.

III. And be it further enacted, That the Rates of Foreign Postage marked on any Letters or Packets brought into Great Britain or Ireland shall, in all Courts of Justice and other Places, be deemed, received, and taken as conclusive Evidence of the Amount of Foreign Postage payable in respect of any such Letter or Packet, in addition to the Rates of British Postage payable for the Conveyance of the same: and such Foreign Postage shall be recoverable in Great Britain and Ireland, and other His Majesty's Dominions, as Postage due and payable to His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors.

IV. Provided always, and be it further enacted, That nothing herein or in any other Act or Acts contained shall be construed to entitle any Person or Persons to send or receive by the Post, free from the Duties of Postage, any Letters or Packets which are or may be liable to any Foreign Rates of Postage (the Public Dispatches to and from His Majesty's Secretaries of State, and the British Embassies and Legations at Foreign Courts, being bona fide on the Public Service, only excepted).

V. And whereas it be considered expedient that certain Letters and Packets sent by the Post should be registered; be it therefore further enacted, That in case the Postmaster General for the Time being shall at any Time hereafter in his Discretion deem it expedient that any Letters or Packets sent or to be sent by the Post should be registered by the Post Office, it shall be lawful for him, and his Deputy and Deputies by him thereunto authorized, to demand, have, receive, and take, to and for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, for and in respect of each and every Letter or Packet which shall be so registered, such Rate or Rates of Postage, in addition to any Rates payable under or by virtue of this Act or any other Act or Acts of Parliament relating to the Post Office, as the Postmaster General for the Time being, with the Consent of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, or any Three or more of them, signified by Writing under their Hands, or under the Hand of any one of the Secretaries or Assistant Secretaries to the Treasury for the Time being, shall from Time to Time direct or appoint, (but such Registration shall not render the Postmaster General or the Post Office Revenue in any Manner liable for the Loss of any such Letters or Packets, or the Contents thereof,) all which Letters and Packets shall be delivered to the Postmaster General and his Deputy and Deputies, and also be delivered by them at or between such Hours in the Day, and under all such Regulations in every respect as the Postmaster General for the Time being shall in his Discretion from Time to Time appoint, with full Power for him to require such Registration Rate or Rates to be paid on any such Letter or Packet being put into the Post Office.

VI. And whereas Letters and Packets sent by the Post between Dovor and Calais are now chargeable with the same Rates of Postages as Letters sent between London and Calais; and it is expedient to reduce the same; be it therefore further enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies by him thereunto authorized, to and for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand, have, receive, and take, for the Port and Conveyance of all Letters and Packets which shall be carried or conveyed by Packet Boats from or to the Port of Dovor, or any other Port in Great Britain, to or from the Port of Calais, or any other Port in France, and not sent to or from London (over and above any Inland Rates payable on such Letters and Packets), a Packet Postage according to the Rates and Sums herein-after mentioned; (that is to say,) for the Port and Conveyance of every Single Letter a Rate of Sixpence; for every Double Letter, One Shilling; for every Treble Letter, One Shilling and Sixpence; and for every Ounce Weight, Two Shillings, and so in proportion for any greater Weight, reckoning every Quarter of an Ounce equal to a Single Letter: Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall extend or be deemed or construed to extend to alter or repeal an Act passed in the Fourth and Fifth Years of the Reign of King William the Fourth, intituled An Act to regulate the Conveyance of printed Newspapers by Post between the United Kingdom, the British Colonies, and Foreign Parts.

VII. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the Postmaster General for the Time being, at any Time hereafter, to lower or reduce all or any of the British Rates of Postage which are or shall be payable on Letters and Packets sent by the Post to and from Foreign Parts, to such respective Amounts or Extent as the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, or any Three or more of them, signified by Writing under their Hands, or under the Hand of any one of the Secretaries or Assistant Secretaries to the Treasury for the Time being, shall from Time to Time direct or appoint, and thenceforth it shall be lawful for the Postmaster General and his Deputies to demand, receive, and take such reduced Rates accordingly.

VIII. And whereas by an Act passed in the Thirty-ninth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for the more secure Conveyance of Ship Letters, and for granting to His Majesty certain Rates of Postage thereon, the Postmaster General is authorized to collect and receive Letters and Packets of Letters directed to Places within His Majesty's Dominions, also to any the Kingdoms and Countries beyond the Seas, and to forward the same by any Ships or Vessels that he in his Discretion shall think fit, although not Packet Boats, and to demand and receive, to and for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, for every Letter and Packet which shall be delivered to him and his Deputies for Conveyance in the Manner therein-before specified, a Sum not less than One Half Part of the Rates and Duties payable by Law for such respective Letters and Packets if the same were conveyed by Packet Boats, and in Cases where no Rate of Postage is already established, then to demand and receive for such Letters and Packets Rates, as near as the same can be ascertained, equal to One Half of what is paid for Letters sent beyond the Seas: And whereas it is expedient that the Rates of Postage imposed by the said Act should be reduced; be it therefore enacted, That the Rates of Postage granted by the said last-recited Act for the Conveyance of Letters and Packets through the Post, by Ships or Vessels not being Packet Boats, shall be and the same are hereby repealed, and that in lieu thereof it shall and may be lawful to and for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being, and his Deputy and Deputies by him thereunto authorized, in his and their Discretion, to collect and receive Letters and Packets of Letters, directed to Places within His Majesty's Dominions, also to any the Kingdoms and Countries beyond the Seas, and to forward the same by any Ships or Vessels that he in his Discretion shall think fit, although not Packet Boats or Ships or Vessels by which the Postmaster General shall have contracted for the Conveyance of Mails of Letters pursuant to an Act passed in the Second Year of the Reign of King William the Fourth, intituled An Act to enable His Majesty's Postmaster General to extend the Accommodation by Post, and to regulate the Privilege of franking, in Ireland ; and for other Purposes relating to the Post Office; and that it shall be lawful for His said Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies by him thereunto authorized, to and for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand, have, receive, and take, for every Letter and Packet which shall be delivered to him or his Deputies for Conveyance in manner lastly herein-before mentioned, (except Letters and Packets sent by private Ships from Great Britain to Ireland, or from Ireland to Great Britain, or between any Ports or Places in Great Britain or Ireland,) the Rates of Postage herein-after mentioned: (that is to say,) if such Letter or Packet be posted at the Port from which such Ship or Vessel shall sail, or at which such Ship or Vessel may touch, a Rate of Eight-pence for every Single Letter, and so in proportion for Packets; and if such Letter or Packet shall be posted at any other Part of the United Kingdom than the Port from which such Ship or Vessel shall sail, or at which such Ship or Vessel may touch, a Rate of One Shilling for every Single Letter, and so in proportion for Packets; and for every Letter or Packet which shall be delivered to the Postmaster General or his Deputies for Conveyance in manner lastly herein-before mentioned, from Great Britain to Ireland, and from Ireland to Great Britain, or from any Port or Place in Great Britain or Ireland to any other Port or Place within the same, or either of them, a Rate of Eight-pence on every Single Letter, and so in proportion as aforesaid for Packets, over and above and in addition to any Rates which may arise on the Inland Conveyance of such last-mentioned Letters or Packets within Great Britain and Ireland: Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall extend, or be deemed or construed to extend, to alter or repeal any of the Rates which the Postmaster General and his Deputy and Deputies are authorized to demand, have, receive, and take for Letters and Packets delivered to him or them for Conveyance to Ceylon, the Mauritius, the East Indies, or the Cape of Good Hope, by an Act passed in the Fifty-ninth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act to repeal so much of an Act passed in the Fifty-fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty as relates to the Postage and Conveyance of Letters to and from the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, the Mauritius, and the East Indies; and to make other Regulations respecting the Postage of such Letters and Packets, and other Letters and Packets sent by the Post; but the Provisions of this Clause shall nevertheless be deemed and construed to extend to and include Letters and Packets directed to China.

IX. And for the Encouragement of the Masters of such Ships or Vessels, be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful to and for the said Postmaster General to allow all such Masters the Sum of Two-pence a Letter or Packet upon all such Letters or Packets as they shall respectively have or take on board such Ship or Vessel, provided such Letters and Packets shall have been delivered to them from the Post Office.

X. Provided always, and be it further enacted, That nothing herein contained shall extend or be construed to extend to prevent any Person or Persons, at his or their Discretion, from sending any Letters or Packets by any Ship or Vessel (not being a Packet Boat or Ship or Vessel by which the Postmaster General shall have contracted for the Conveyance of Mails of Letters pursuant to the said Act passed in the Second Year of the Reign of King William the Fourth), from any Port to any Place out of Great Britain or Ireland, otherwise than through the Post Office: Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall extend in anywise to authorize or empower any Person or Persons to make any Collection of Letters contrary to the Laws now in force relating to the Post Office.

XI. And whereas it is expedient that the Rates on Letters brought into that Part of the United Kingdom called Ireland by Ships other than Packet Boats should be assimilated to the Rates on Ship Letters brought into Great Britain; be it therefore further enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act it shall and may be lawful to and for the Postmaster General and his Deputies to demand, have, receive, and take for every Letter which shall be brought into Ireland by Ships and Vessels other than Packet Boats from Places within His Majesty's Dominions and any the Kingdoms and Countries beyond the Seas, other than and except from the Cape of Good Hope, the Mauritius, Ceylon and the East Indies, (in lieu of the Rates of Sea Postage now payable thereon,) the same Rates of Sea Postage (over and above any Inland Rates) as under or by virtue of an Act passed in the Fifty-fifth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, intituled An Act for granting certain Rates on the Postage of Letters to and from Great Britain, the Cape of Good Hope, the Mauritius, and the East Indies, and for making certain Regulations respecting the Postage of Ship Letters, and of Letters in Great Britain, would be payable on such Letters and Packets if brought by such Ships or Vessels into Great Britain.

XII. And be it further enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act every Letter or Packet which shall be brought into Great Britain or Ireland by Ships or Vessels other than Packet Boats, from any Port or Place in China, shall be liable to and chargeable with the same Rates of Sea Postage (over and above any Inland Rates) as would be payable under or by virtue of the said Act passed in the Fifty-fifth Year of the Reign of King George the Third if such Letters or Packets were brought into Great Britain by Ships or Vessels other than Packet Boats from any other Foreign Kingdom; and so much of the said last-mentioned Act as enacts that nothing therein contained shall extend to any Letters or Packets from China shall be and the same is hereby repealed.

XIII. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General and his Deputies to demand, have, receive, and take for every Letter or Packet which shall be brought into Ireland by any Ship or Vessel arriving from the Cape of Good Hope, the Mauritius, Ceylon, or the East Indies, the like Rates of Sea Postage (over and above any Inland Rates) as under or by virtue of the said Act passed in the Fifty-ninth Year of the Reign of King George the Third would be payable on such Letters and Packets if brought by such Ships or Vessels into Great Britain, and to make to the Commander or Master of every such Ship or Vessel the like Allowances in respect of such Letters and Packets as would by Law be allowable in case such Letters and Packets had been brought into Great Britain.

XIV. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies by him thereunto authorized, to collect and receive in Ireland Letters and Packets directed to the Cape of Good Hope, the Mauritius, Ceylon, or the East Indies, and to forward the same by any Ships or Vessels that he or they in his or their Discretion shall think fit; and to demand, have, receive and take for every such last-mentioned Letter or Packet the like Rates of Sea Postage (over and above any Inland Rates) as under or by virtue of the said Act passed in the Fifty-ninth Year of the Reign of King George the Third would be payable on such Letters and Packets if the same were sent from Great Britain; and the Masters and Commanders of all Ships and Vessels sailing from Ireland bound to the Cape of Good Hope, the Mauritius, Ceylon, or the East Indies are hereby required to receive on board their respective Ships any Bag or Bags of Letters and Packets which shall be tendered to them for Conveyance as aforesaid by the Postmaster General or any Officer of the Post Office, without receiving or being entitled to receive any Remuneration for such Conveyance.

XV. And whereas by an Act passed in the Seventh and Eighth Years of the Reign of His late Majesty King George the Fourth, intituled An Act to amend the Laws relating to the Duties of Postage in Great Britain and Ireland, the Postmaster General is authorized to demand and receive for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, for every Newspaper printed within His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas, and brought into Great Britain and Ireland by any Ship other than a Packet, and delivered at any Post Office, the Sum of Three-pence: And whereas Newspapers printed within the United Kingdom, and sent from thence by Ships and Vessels (other than Packet Boats) to His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas (other than and except the East Indies), are now liable to the same Rates and Duties of Postage as Letters: And whereas it is expedient that the Rates of Postage on all such Newspapers should be reduced; be it therefore further enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act so much of the said Act passed in the Seventh and Eighth Years of the Reign of King George the Fourth as subjects Newspapers printed within His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas, and brought into Great Britain and Ireland by Ships other than Packets, to a Rate of Three-pence each, shall be and the same is hereby repealed.

XVI. And be it further enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General and his Deputy and Deputies, for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand and receive for the Conveyance of every Newspaper printed within His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond Seas, and brought into the United Kingdom by any Ship or Vessel other than a Packet Boat, and delivered by the Commander of any such Ship or Vessel at any Post Office, the Sum of One Penny on Delivery thereof within the United Kingdom to the Person or Persons to whom the same shall be addressed.

XVII. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being, and his Deputy and Deputies in Great Britain and Ireland, to receive at any Post Office printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty, and duly stumped, directed to Places within any of His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions beyond the Seas, and to forward the same by any Ships or Vessels that he in his Discretion may think fit (not being Packet Boats), and to demand, have, receive, and take for every Newspaper which shall be delivered to him or his Deputies for Conveyance in manner last aforesaid the Sum of One Penny.

XVIII. And whereas Foreign Newspapers brought into the United Kingdom by Ships or Vessels other than Packet Boats, and Newspapers printed within the United Kingdom, and sent from thence by Ships and Vessels other than Packet Boats to Foreign Parts, are now liable, on Conveyance by the Post to the same Rates and Duties of Postage as Letters; and it is expedient that the Rates on all such Newspapers should be reduced; be it therefore further enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies in Great Britain and Ireland, to receive at any Post Office printed Newspapers liable to the Stamp Duty and duly stamped, directed to any Kingdom or Country beyond the Seas (other than His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions), and to forward the same to any Foreign Port by any Ships or Vessels that he in his Discretion may think fit (not being Packet Boats), and to demand, have, receive, and take, for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, for every Newspaper which shall be delivered to him or his Deputies for Conveyance in manner last aforesaid the Sum of One Penny; and for every Newspaper printed in any Kingdom or State beyond the Seas (other than His Majesty's Colonies and Possessions), and brought into the United Kingdom by any Ship or Vessel (other than a Packet Boat), and delivered by the Commander of any such Ship or Vessel at any Post Office, (if printed in the Language of the Foreign Kingdom or State from which the same shall be forwarded, but not otherwise,) it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General and his Deputy and Deputies, for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand and receive the Sum of One Penny on Delivery thereof within the United Kingdom to the Person or Persons to whom the same shall be addressed: Provided always, that before any Newspapers to or from any Foreign Kingdom or State shall be permitted to be conveyed or delivered under the Provisions of this Clause satisfactory Proof shall have been laid before the Postmaster General for the Time being, that printed Newspapers sent from Great Britain and Ireland, addressed to any Person or Place in any such Foreign Kingdom or State, are allowed to pass by the Post within any such Foreign Kingdom or State free of Postage, and also that Newspapers addressed to any Person or Place in Great Britain or Ireland from any such Foreign Kingdom or State are allowed to pass by the Post within such Foreign Kingdom or State free of Postage; and it is hereby declared, that as to every Newspaper put into any Post Office within Great Britain or Ireland, for Conveyance by Ships or Vessels other than Packet Boats, addressed to any Person or Place in any Foreign Kingdom or State in which printed Newspapers from Great Britain or Ireland shall not be allowed to pass by the Post free of Postage, it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being (until such satisfactory Proof shall be laid before him as aforesaid), and his Deputy and Deputies, for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand, have, receive, and take, for the Conveyance of every such printed Newspaper to any Foreign Port, the Sum of Two-pence; and as to every Newspaper addressed to Great Britain or Ireland, and brought into the United Kingdom by any Ship or Vessel other than a Packet Boat from any Foreign Kingdom or State in which such printed Newspapers shall not be allowed to pass by the Post free of Postage, it is hereby declared, that it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being (until such satisfactory Proof shall be laid before him as aforesaid), and his Deputy and Deputies, to and for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, to demand, have, receive, and take, for the Conveyance of every such Newspaper by the Post, the Sum of Two-pence on Delivery thereof to the Person to whom the same shall be addressed, over and above and in addition to any Postage charged thereon by any Foreign Post Office, provided every such Paper be printed and published in the Language of the Kingdom or State from which the same shall be forwarded.

XIX. And whereas Circumstances may arise which may render it expedient again to impose and demand the said respective Rates of Two-pence by the said last mentioned Clause granted, after the same shall have ceased to be demanded by reason of such satisfactory Proof having been laid before the Postmaster General for the Time being as aforesaid; now be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being, by and with the Consent of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, or any Three or more of them, at any Time after such satisfactory Proof shall have been laid before His Majesty's Postmaster General for the Time being as aforesaid, again to impose, demand, and receive the said respective Rates of Two-pence for the Conveyance of any such printed Newspaper to any Foreign Port, and on the Delivery of any such printed Newspaper from any Foreign Kingdom or State, whenever it shall be deemed expedient so to do.

XX. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the Postmaster General to allow and pay the Masters and Commanders of Ships and Vessels the Sum of One Penny on every printed Newspaper which shall be brought into the United Kingdom under the Provisions of this Act, and be delivered by them at the Post Office of the Post Town at which they shall touch or arrive, and the like Sum of One Penny on every printed Newspaper which shall be delivered by the Postmaster General or his Deputies to any such Masters or Commanders for Conveyance under the Provisions of this present Act.

XXI. Provided always, and be it further enacted, That nothing herein contained shall extend, or be deemed or construed to extend, to alter or repeal any of the Rates which the Postmaster General and his Deputy and Deputies are authorized to demand, have, receive, and take by the said Act passed in the Fifty-ninth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, for printed Newspapers delivered to him or them for Conveyance to the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, the Mauritius, or the East Indies, which Act it is hereby declared shall be deemed and construed to extend to Newspapers posted in Ireland for Conveyance to any of the said last-mentioned Places; but the Provisions of this Act shall nevertheless be deemed to extend to and include Newspapers brought into the United Kingdom from the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, the Mauritius, the East Indies, and China, and also Newspapers delivered to the Postmaster General or his Deputies directed to China.

XXII. And be it further enacted, That no Newspaper shall be sent by the Post under the Provisions of this present Act unless every such Paper be sent without a Cover, or in a Cover open at the Sides, and that there be no Words or Communication printed on such Paper after the same shall have been published, nor any Writing or Marks upon such printed Paper or the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, and so that there be no Paper or Thing enclosed or concealed in or with such printed Paper or the Cover thereof, nor any printed Words or Communication on the Cover thereof.

XXIII. And be it further enacted, That every printed Newspaper to be sent out of the United Kingdom under the Provisions of this Act shall in all Cases be put into a Post Office or Receiving Office in Great Britain or Ireland within Seven Days next after the Day on which the same shall be published, the Day of Publication to be ascertained by the Date of such Paper; and in case any such Paper shall be put into any Post Office at any Time after the Expiration of such Seven Days, it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General or his Deputy or Deputies, at his or their Discretion, either to detain any such Paper, or to forward the same by the Post charged with the full Duty of Letter Postage according to the Rates now established by Law.

XXIV. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for His Majesty's Postmaster General, and his Deputy and Deputies, or any of the Officers employed under him or them respectively, to examine and search any printed Newspaper which under the Provisions of this Act shall be sent by the Post without a Cover, or in a Cover open at the Sides as aforesaid, in order to discover whether any Words or Communication have or has been printed on such Paper after the same was published, or whether there is any Writing or Mark upon such printed Paper or the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, or whether there is any Paper or Thing enclosed or concealed in or with such printed Newspaper or the Cover thereof, or whether there are any printed Words or Communication on the Cover thereof, or whether the Papers brought into the United Kingdom from any Foreign Kingdom or State shall be printed and published in the Language of the Kingdom or State from which they shall have been forwarded, and also in order to discover whether Newspapers printed and posted in the United Kingdom are duly stamped; and in case any Words or Communication shall be found to have been printed on any such Paper after the same was published, or any Writing or Mark shall be found on any such printed Paper or the Cover thereof, other than the Name and Address of the Person to whom it is sent, or any other Paper or Thing shall be found to be enclosed or concealed in or with such printed Paper or the Cover thereof as aforesaid, or any printed Words or Communication shall be found upon the Cover thereof, or in case any Newspaper brought into the United Kingdom from any Foreign Kingdom or State shall not be printed and published in the Language of the Kingdom or State from which the same shall have been forwarded, the whole of every such Packet addressed and delivered to any Person within the United Kingdom shall be charged with Treble the Duty of Letter Postage, according to the Rates now established by Law; and as to every such Paper or Packet going out of the United Kingdom, it shall be lawful for the Postmaster General or his Deputy or Deputies, at his or their Discretion, either to detain any such Paper or Packet, or to forward the same by the Post charged with the Duty of Letter Postage; and in case any Newspaper printed and posted in the United Kingdom, and sent by the Post under the Provisions of this Act, shall appear not to have been duly stamped, the same shall be stopped, and sent to the Commissioners of Stamps either at London or Dublin as the Case may be.

XXV. And be it further enacted, That all printed Papers to be conveyed by the Post under the Provisions of this Act shall be delivered to the Postmaster General, or his Deputy or Deputies, at such Hours in the Day and under all such Regulations as the Postmaster General for the Time being shall in his Discretion from Time to Time appoint.

XXVI. And be it further enacted, That so much of an Act passed in the Ninth Year of the Reign of Queen Anne, intituled 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, as enacts, 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, the Postmaster General for the Time being shall in every such Case forfeit the Sum of One hundred Pounds Sterling, shall be and the same is hereby repealed.

XXVII. And be it further enacted, That the several Rates and Duties of British Postage herein-before granted shall be paid from Time to Time into the Hands of the Receiver General for the Time being of the Revenue of the Post Office, who shall pay the same (the necessary Charges for collecting, paying, and accounting for the same being first deducted) into the Receipt of His Majesty's Exchequer, on such Days and Times and in such Manner as the present Rates and Duties are directed by Law to be paid; and the said Duties so to be paid into the said Receipt as aforesaid shall be carried to and made Part of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

XXVIII. And be it further enacted, That so often as any Sum or Sums of Money, not exceeding Twenty Pounds, shall be due from any Person or Persons in Great Britain or Ireland, (whether under this Act, or under any other Act or Acts relating to the Post Office,) for the Postage of any Letter or Packet, Letters or Packets, to him, her, or them delivered by any Deputy, Agent, or Letter Carrier under His Majesty's Postmaster General, or which shall be due from any Deputy, Agent, or Letter Carrier in Great Britain or Ireland for the Port of any Letters or Packets to him, her, or them intrusted for Delivery under the Authority of the said Postmaster General, or from any other Person or Persons employed or to be employed in receiving or collecting the Postage of Letters or Packets, or any of the Post Office Revenue, it shall be lawful for any Constable, Tithingman, or other Peace Officer of the County, Riding, Division, City, Town, or Place where such Person or Persons shall reside, first obtaining a Warrant for that Purpose under the Hand and Seal or Hands and Seals of any One or more of His Majesty's Justices acting in and for such County, Riding, Division, City, Town, or Place, (which Justice or Justices on Complaint made to him or them shall summon the Party complained of, and the Witnesses on either Side, and examine into the Matter of Fact, and shall grant such Warrant, on due Proof being made of the Sum or Sums due and owing from such Person or Persons as aforesaid by the voluntary Confession of the Party or by the Oath of One or more Witness or Witnesses,) to distrain such Person or Persons by his, her, or their Goods and Chattels for the Amount of such Debt, and the Distress so to be taken to detain and keep for the Space of Five Days at the Costs and Charges of such Person or Persons; and if he, she, or they shall not within the Time pay the Amount of such Debt, with the Costs and Charges of taking and keeping such Distress, then the Goods and Chattels so distrained shall be sold by such Constable, Tithingman, or other Peace Officer, who shall render the Overplus (if any) of the Money arising by the Sale thereof, after deducting and retaining the Amount of such Debt, and the Costs and Charges of taking, keeping, and selling such Distress, to the Person or Persons so to be distrained as aforesaid; and for the Purpose of taking such Distress it shall be lawful for such Constable, Tithingman, or other Peace Officer, when any Refusal or Resistance shall be made, to break open in the Daytime any House or Place where any Goods or Chattels of such Person or Persons shall be, and if no sufficient Distress can be had or taken whereon to levy the said Debt and Charges, then such Justice or Justices shall commit such Person or Persons to the Prison of such County, Riding, Division, City, Town, or Place, there to remain until such Debt and Charges shall be fully paid and satisfied.

XXIX. And be it further enacted, That every Complaint, Information, Summons, Conviction, Warrant of Distress or Commitment, or other such Proceeding, which shall be had or taken under the Provisions of this Act for the Recovery of any Postage or Postage Debt, may be drawn or made out according to the several Forms contained in the Schedule hereunto annexed, or to the Effect thereof, mutatis mutandis, as the Case shall require, and every such Complaint, Information, Summons, Conviction, Warrant, or other such Proceeding which shall be so drawn or made out shall be good and effectual to all Intents and Purposes whatsoever, without stating the Case or the Facts or Evidence in any more particular Manner than is required in and by such Forms respectively; and that wherever the Term ” Officer of the Post Office” occurs in this Act or the Schedule thereto, the same shall be construed to mean and include any Deputy, Agent, Officer, Clerk, Letter Carrier, or other Person employed by or under the Post Office, whatever may be his particular Office or Employment; and that whenever the Term “East Indies” occurs in this Act, the same shall be construed to mean and include every Port and Place within the Limits of the Charter of the United Company of Merchants commonly called The East India Company, not being in China; and that whenever in this Act or the Schedule thereto, with reference to any Person, Matter, or Thing, any Word or Words is or are used importing the Singular Number or the Masculine Gender only, yet such Word or Words shall be understood to include several Persons as well as one Person, Females as well as Males, Bodies Politic or Corporate as well as Individuals, and several Matters or Things as well as one Matter or Thing, unless it be otherwise specially provided, or there be something in the Subject or Context repugnant to such Construction.

XXX. And be it further enacted, That all Actions and Prosecutions which shall be brought or commenced against any Person for any thing done in pursuance or under the Authority of this Act shall be commenced and prosecuted within Three Calendar Months next after the Fact committed, and not afterwards, and shall be brought and tried in the County or Place where the Cause of Action shall arise, and not elsewhere; and Notice in Writing of such Action, and of the Cause thereof, shall be given to the Defendant One Calendar Month at least before the Commencement of the Action; and the Defendant in such Action may plead the General Issue, and give this Act and any other Matter or Thing in Evidence at any Trial to be had thereupon; and if the Cause of Action shall appear to arise from any Matter or Thing done in pursuance and by the Authority of this Act, or if any such Action shall be brought after the Expiration of such Three Calendar Months, or shall be brought in any other County or Place than as aforesaid, or if Notice of such Action shall not have been given in manner aforesaid, or if Tender sufficient Amends shall have been made before such Action commenced, or if a sufficient Sum of Money shall have been paid into Court after such Action commenced by or on behalf of the Defendant, the Jury shall find a Verdict for the Defendant; and if a Verdict shall pass for the Defendant, or if the Plaintiff shall become Nonsuit, or shall discontinue any such Action, or if on Demurrer, or otherwise Judgment shall be given against the Plaintiff, the Defendant shall recover his or her full Costs of Suit as between Attorney and Client, and shall have the like Remedy for the same as any Defendant may have for Costs of Suit in other Cases at Law; and although a Verdict shall be given for the Plaintiff in any such Action, such Plaintiff shall not have Costs against the Defendant unless the Judge before whom the Trial shall be had shall at the Time of such Trial certify in Writing his Approbation of the Action and of the Verdict obtained thereupon.

XXXI. And be it further enacted, That this Act may be amended, altered, or repealed by any Act or Acts to be passed in this present Session of Parliament.


SCHEDULE to which this Act refers.



No. 1.
Form of Complaint whereon to found a Warrant of Distress for Recovery of Postage.

BE it remembered, That on this __________ Day of __________ in the Year of our Lord __________ at __________ in the __________ of __________ A. B., an Officer of the Post Office, complaineth to me C. D. Esquire, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said __________ that the Sum of __________ is due and owing from E. F. of __________ to His Majesty [or to the said A. B., if the Case be so,] for the Duty of Postage, which he hath refused or neglected to pay; and thereupon the said A. B. prayeth of me the said Justice that the said E. F. may be summoned to appear and show Cause if any he have, why, upon due Proof being made of the Sum due and owing from him for Postage as aforesaid, a Warrant of Distress should not be granted for Recovery thereof pursuant to the Directions of the Statute in that Behalf made.

Taken and received by me the Day and Year first above written.




No. 2.
Form of a Summons on the foregoing Complaint.
To E. F. of, &c.

WHEREAS Complaint hath been made unto me C. D. Esquire, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the __________ of __________ that the Sum of __________ is due and owing from you to His Majesty [or to A. B. an Officer of the Post Office, if the Case be so,] for the Duty of Postage, which you have refused or neglected to pay; these are therefore to summon you to be and appear at __________ in the said __________ on the __________ Day of __________ at the Hour of __________ in the __________ noon of the same Day, before me the said Justice, or before such other of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said __________ as shall be then present, in order that you may show Cause, if any you have, why, on due Proof being made of the Sum of Money due and owing from you for such Duty of Postage as aforesaid, a Warrant of Distress should not be granted for the Recovery thereof pursuant to the Directions of the Statute in that Behalf made; and if you fail to appear accordingly such Proceedings will be taken as if you had appeared and had not shown any sufficient Cause why such Warrant should not be granted. Given under my Hand and Seal, this __________ Day of __________




No. 3.
Form of a Warrant of Distress, founded on the foregoing Complaint.

To the Constable of __________ [or to C. D. of __________ as the Case may be].

WHEREAS Complaint hath been made that E. F. of __________ is indebted to His Majesty [or to A. B. an Officer of the Post Office, if the Case be so,] in the Sum of __________ for the Duty of Postage, which he bath refused or neglected to pay: And whereas the said E. F. hath been duly summoned, and due Proof hath been made on Oath before me that the Sum of __________ is due and owing from the said E. F. for such Duty of Postage as aforesaid, and that he hath neglected to pay the same: Therefore I command you to distrain the said E. F. by his Goods and Chattels, and to levy thereon the said last-mentioned Sum, being the Amount of such Duty of Postage as aforesaid, and also the further Sum of __________for the Costs, Charges, and Expences of proceeding for and obtaining this Warrant and of the Proceedings incident and relating thereto, making together the Sum of __________; and if within the Space of Five Days next after the taking of such Distress the Sum of __________, together with the reasonable Costs and Charges of taking and keeping such Distress, shall not be paid, then I do hereby order and direct that you shall sell and dispose of the said Goods and Chattels which shall be so distrained, and that you shall levy and raise thereout the said Sum of __________ and all reasonable Costs and Charges of taking, keeping, and selling such Distress, rendering the Overplus (if any) to the Owner of the said Goods and Chattels; and you are to certify to me what you have done by virtue of this my Warrant. Given under my Hand and Seal this __________ Day of __________
(Signed)__________
One of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace
for the said __________ of __________




No. 4.
Form of a Warrant of Commitment for Want of sufficient Distress, founded on the foregoing Complaint.

To the Constable of __________ in the __________ of __________
and also to the Keeper of the Common Gaol [or House of Correction]
at __________ in the said __________

WHEREAS Complaint was made that E. F. of __________ was indebted to His Majesty [or to A. B., an Officer of the Post Office, if the Case be so,] in the Sum of __________ for the Duty of Postage, which he had refused or neglected to pay: And whereas the said E. F. was duly summoned, and due Proof was made on Oath that the Sum of __________ was due and owing from the said E. F. for such Duty of Postage as aforesaid, and that he had neglected to pay the same: And whereas a Warrant has been issued directed to C. D. of commanding him by Distress and Sale of the Goods and Chattels of the said E. F. to levy the said last-mentioned Sum, being the Amount of such Duty of Postage as aforesaid due and owing from the said E. F., and also the further Sum of __________ for the Costs, Charges, and Expences of proceeding for and obtaining the said Warrant and of the Proceedings incident and relating thereto, making together the Sum of __________: And it now appearing to me, by the Oath of the said C.D., that no sufficient Distress can be found whereon to levy the said Duty, Costs, and Charges, [or, in case an insufficient Distress shall have been taken, And whereas the said C. D. hath certified to me that he hath, under the said Warrant, levied and raised the Sum of __________ only; and it now appearing to me, by the Oath of the said C. D., that no sufficient Distress can be found whereon to levy the Residue of the said Duty, Costs and Charges,] therefore I command you the said Constable of __________ to apprehend and take the said E. F., and safely to convey him to the Common Gaol [or House of Correction] of the said __________ at __________ in the said __________ and there to deliver him to the Keeper thereof, together with this Warrant: And I do hereby command you the said Keeper to receive into your Custody in the said Gaol [or House of Correction] him the said E. F., and him therein safely to keep until the said Sum of __________, or until the Sum of __________, the Residue of the said Duty, Costs, and Charges remaining after deducting the said Sum of __________ so levied and raised as aforesaid, shall be fully paid and satisfied. Given under my Hand and Seal this __________ Day of __________
(Signed) __________
One. of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace
for the said __________ of __________