GENERAL POST-OFFICE, April 25, 1808
Broadside. Printed document, approximately 8 x 7 in. Text in full: "Sir, An act has lately passed, directing that certain copies of the Communications made by the President to Congress, shall be conveyed by post, free of postage. All packages, therefore, which are forwarded by a member of Congress, by the Secretary of the Senate, or Clerk of the House of Representatives, and on which he writes the words PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, or others to that effect, are to be admitted to be of that description, and must be delivered free of postage, without regard to weight. I am, Sir, Your obedient, Gideon Granger." In the bottom left hand corner is printed "The Postmaster at". [This copy unaddressed]. Unrecorded imprint. Matted glazed and framed. Granger, the fourth Postmaster General, was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson in 1801 and served until 1814 when James Madison replaced him, making him the longest serving Postmaster General in U.S. history. Influenced by the Haitian Revolution and fearing a slave uprising in the United States, Granger advocated banning African-Americans from delivering the mail. A law was passed in 1802 stating “No other than a free white person shall be employed in carrying the mail of the United States.” The law lasted till 1862. Item #67378
Price: $450.00