[pg 065]APPENDIX.I. TABLES FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY RETURNS.The parliamentary return, obligingly sent to Dr. Webb by Mr. Hume, M. P., bears date the 11th of June, 1847, and was made in pursuance of an order of the House, passed April 22, 1847. The tabular statements contained in this important paper will be examined with great interest by those who are accustomed to statistical inquiries, and are here presented for their use. Taken in connection with Mr. Hume's table, on page 4, they will present the most convincing evidence of the unparalleled success of cheap postage.A comparative statement of theNumber of Lettersdelivered in the United Kingdom, in one week of the month of November, 1839, and of each subsequent year, taking a week in the month of April, 1847. (Condensed from the parliamentary document.)Years.England and Wales.Ireland.Scotland.United Kingdom.183931,252,977179,931153,0651,585,97318402,685,181385,672385,2623,456,11518413,029,453403,421413,2483,846,12218423,282,021474,031446,4944,202,54618433,401,595478,941468,6774,349,21318443,744,011527,630511,6634,783,30418454,467,619597,425601,7155,666,75918464,629,324649,324621,8505,890,704184744,823,854698,313626,7096,148,876[pg 066]II. An account, showing theGrossandNet Post Office Revenue, and theCost of Management, for the United Kingdom, for the year ending the 5th day of January, 1839, and for each subsequent year.Year endingGross Revenue.5Cost of Management.6Net Revenue.5 January, 1839£2,346,278 —s. 9½d.£686,768 3s. 6¾d.£1,659,509 17s. 2¾d.5 January, 184072,390,763 10 1½756,999 7 41,633,764 2 9½5 January, 18411,359,466 9 2858,677 —5¼500,789 11 4¼5 January, 18421,499,418 10 11¾938,168 19 7½561,249 11 4¼5 January, 18431,578,145 16 7½977,504 10 3600,641 64½5 January, 18441,620,867 11 10980,650 7 5¾640,217 4 4¼5 January, 18451,705,067 16 4985,110 13 10¾719,957 2 5¼5 January, 18461,901,580 10 2¾1,125,594 5 —775,986 5 2¾5 January, 18471,978,293 11 10¼1,138,745 2 4¼839,548 9 6III. Return of thePaymentsmade by thePost Officeduring each of the years ending the 5th of January, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, for theConveyanceof theMailsbyRailwayin Great Britain.5th January, 1839,£12,380 5s. 7d.5th January, 1840,52,230 1 25th January, 1841,51,301 6 85th January, 1842,94,818 7 105th January, 1843,77,570 5 75th January, 1844,96,360 10 55th January, 1845,89,809 4 65th January, 1846,179,257 4 15th January, 1847,107,890 14 2IV. An account of the Number and Amount ofMoney Ordersissued (and paid) in England and Wales (London included), from the 5th April, 1839, to 5th April, 1847, inclusive.For the Quarters endedNumber.Amount.5 April, 183928,838£49,496 5s. 8d.5 July, 183934,61259,099 9 55 October, 183938,51064,056 7 85 January, 184040,76367,411 2 75 April, 184076,145119,932 12 15 July, 184094,215151,734 15 85 October, 1840122,420196,507 14 35 January, 1841189,984334,652 14 85 April, 1841275,870567,518 12 35 July, 1841289,884608,774 11 25 October, 1841334,071661,099 9 —5 January, 1842390,290820,576 11 105 April, 1842419,530890,575 17 15 July, 1842422,452885,803 4 55 October, 1842432,205901,549 5 55 January, 1843493,4391,031,850 5 35 April, 1843512,7981,080,249 2 25 July, 1843495,7231,032,643 5 115 October, 1843515,4581,060,023 8 75 January, 1844562,0301,196,428 8 25 April, 1844582,0561,212,094 4 95 July, 1844555,5611,166,161 12 35 October, 1844574,2501,184,178 — 55 January, 1845621,8261,296,451 17 45 April, 1845656,4521,372,405 18 85 July, 1845613,5391,279,050 2 45 October, 1845637,3691,316,164 12 15 January, 1846719,8131,495,832 17 65 April, 1846716,6181,490,626 12 55 July, 1846679,2361,399,789 17 25 October, 1846706,0551,447,507 17 25 January, 1847779,7901,588,549 7 25 April, 1847810,6031,654,278 7 —[pg 067]The Commission on Money Orders was, on and from the 20th November, 1840, reduced as follows:For any sum not exceeding £2, from 6d. to 3d.For any sum above £2, and not exceeding £5, from 1s. 6d. to6d.V. Return of the Number ofChargeable Letters, which is passed through the London General Post, inwards and outwards, in the first four weeks of each year, beginning with 1839, distinguishing the Unpaid, Paid with Coin, Stamped, and Total.8Years.Unpaid.Paid.Stamped.Total.183991,358,651263,4961,622,147184010787,1392,217,1273,004,2661841370,0802,204,4192,108,0744,683,0731842351,1342,166,9602,760,7575,278,8511843312,8392,431,2312,972,8285,716,8981844433,2702,524,2703,079,4186,037,5261845504,5192,613,6483,681,0266,800,2931846551,4612,899,3064,435,9667,886,733184711448,8383,057,2574,905,6748,411,769[pg 068]VI. Return of the Number ofChargeable Letterswhich passed through the London District Post, excluding all General Post Letters, in the first four weeks of each year, beginning with 1839.Years.Unpaid.Paid.Stamped.Total.1839800,573220,8131,021,2861840331,5891,207,9851,539,5741841157,242926,264752,1341,835,6401842118,101820,835980,6941,919,6301843113,293837,6241,020,0911,971,008184498,712859,7761,181,3142,139,802184599,005947,6601,337,1322,383,6971846119,1651,055,7171,573,6032,748,4851847108,1581,079,3781,685,1052,872,641The Penny Rate took effect on this route Dec. 5, 1839.The increase of the total, since 1839, is 181 per cent.; showing that the greatest increase is out of the London District.VII. Table by Mr. Hill, showing the loss of Revenue by the Post Office, compared with the Increase of Population.Years.Population.Postage.Postage due byLoss.Pr. ct.Population.181519,552,000£1,557,291£1,557,291182020,928,0001,479,5471,677,000£194,55311.6182522,362,0001,670,2091,789,000118,7816.6183023,961,0001,517,9521,917,000399,04820.183525,605,0001,540,3002,048,000507,70024.8VII. Table by Mr. Hill, showing the loss of Revenue by the Post Office, compared with the Increase of the Stage-Coach Duty.Years.Stage CoachPostage.Post due byLoss.Pr. ct.DutyCoach Duty.1815£217,671£1,557,291£1,557,2911820273,4771,479,5471,946,000£466,45324.1825362,6311,670,2092,585,000914,78135.1830418,5981,517,9522,990,0001,472,04849.1835498,4971,540,3003,550,0002,009,70057.The revenue from the stage coach duty had increased 128 per cent. in twenty years. There was no reason why the natural demand for the conveyance of letters should not have increased at least as much as the demand for the conveyance of persons. It was evident that the postage revenue fell short by at least two millions which was lost by the high rate of postage.[pg 069]NEWSPAPERS.[From Porter's Progress of the British Nation.]Owing to the great craving of the people for information upon political subjects during the agitation that accompanied the introduction and passing of the bill“to amend the representation of the people,”commonly known as“The Reform Bill,”a great temptation was offered for the illegal publication of newspapers upon unstamped paper, many of which were sold in large numbers in defiance of all the preventive efforts made by the officers of government. The stamp duty of fourpence per sheet was therefore taken off in 1836, leaving a stamp of 1d., as an equivalent for free postage.IX. Table showing the Number of Newspapers at different periods, and the Revenue derived from the same.Years.Newspapers.Revenue.180116,085,085£185,806181124,421,713298,547182124,862,186335,753182627,004,802451,676183030,158,741505,439183135,198,160483,153183533,191,820453,130183635,576,056359,826183753,496,207218,042183853,347,231221,164183955,891,003238,394184060,922,151244,416184159,936,897184261,495,50318431844X. Table showing the Increase of Expense in the British Post Office, consequent upon the Increase of the Number of Letters under the new System; the Rate per Letter of the Cost of additional Letters, and the Profits realized from such Increase, expressed in decimals of a penny.Years.Increase of Letters.Increase of Cost.Additional Cost.Additional Profit.184093,000,000£70,231d. 0.181d. 0.819184127,500,000101,6780.8870.113184212,000,00072,2561.44512184312,000,00035,8260.7160.284184421,500,00013—1.004184529,500,0006,8700.0550.945184628,000,000140,5761.2051418472,2500,00023,8790.2570.746N. B. The increase of letters since 1839 is 246 millions, and cost of the increase is .347 of a penny; so that every letter now added to the circulation yields a net profit to the government of .625d., or nearly two thirds of the penny postage.
[pg 065]APPENDIX.I. TABLES FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY RETURNS.The parliamentary return, obligingly sent to Dr. Webb by Mr. Hume, M. P., bears date the 11th of June, 1847, and was made in pursuance of an order of the House, passed April 22, 1847. The tabular statements contained in this important paper will be examined with great interest by those who are accustomed to statistical inquiries, and are here presented for their use. Taken in connection with Mr. Hume's table, on page 4, they will present the most convincing evidence of the unparalleled success of cheap postage.A comparative statement of theNumber of Lettersdelivered in the United Kingdom, in one week of the month of November, 1839, and of each subsequent year, taking a week in the month of April, 1847. (Condensed from the parliamentary document.)Years.England and Wales.Ireland.Scotland.United Kingdom.183931,252,977179,931153,0651,585,97318402,685,181385,672385,2623,456,11518413,029,453403,421413,2483,846,12218423,282,021474,031446,4944,202,54618433,401,595478,941468,6774,349,21318443,744,011527,630511,6634,783,30418454,467,619597,425601,7155,666,75918464,629,324649,324621,8505,890,704184744,823,854698,313626,7096,148,876[pg 066]II. An account, showing theGrossandNet Post Office Revenue, and theCost of Management, for the United Kingdom, for the year ending the 5th day of January, 1839, and for each subsequent year.Year endingGross Revenue.5Cost of Management.6Net Revenue.5 January, 1839£2,346,278 —s. 9½d.£686,768 3s. 6¾d.£1,659,509 17s. 2¾d.5 January, 184072,390,763 10 1½756,999 7 41,633,764 2 9½5 January, 18411,359,466 9 2858,677 —5¼500,789 11 4¼5 January, 18421,499,418 10 11¾938,168 19 7½561,249 11 4¼5 January, 18431,578,145 16 7½977,504 10 3600,641 64½5 January, 18441,620,867 11 10980,650 7 5¾640,217 4 4¼5 January, 18451,705,067 16 4985,110 13 10¾719,957 2 5¼5 January, 18461,901,580 10 2¾1,125,594 5 —775,986 5 2¾5 January, 18471,978,293 11 10¼1,138,745 2 4¼839,548 9 6III. Return of thePaymentsmade by thePost Officeduring each of the years ending the 5th of January, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, for theConveyanceof theMailsbyRailwayin Great Britain.5th January, 1839,£12,380 5s. 7d.5th January, 1840,52,230 1 25th January, 1841,51,301 6 85th January, 1842,94,818 7 105th January, 1843,77,570 5 75th January, 1844,96,360 10 55th January, 1845,89,809 4 65th January, 1846,179,257 4 15th January, 1847,107,890 14 2IV. An account of the Number and Amount ofMoney Ordersissued (and paid) in England and Wales (London included), from the 5th April, 1839, to 5th April, 1847, inclusive.For the Quarters endedNumber.Amount.5 April, 183928,838£49,496 5s. 8d.5 July, 183934,61259,099 9 55 October, 183938,51064,056 7 85 January, 184040,76367,411 2 75 April, 184076,145119,932 12 15 July, 184094,215151,734 15 85 October, 1840122,420196,507 14 35 January, 1841189,984334,652 14 85 April, 1841275,870567,518 12 35 July, 1841289,884608,774 11 25 October, 1841334,071661,099 9 —5 January, 1842390,290820,576 11 105 April, 1842419,530890,575 17 15 July, 1842422,452885,803 4 55 October, 1842432,205901,549 5 55 January, 1843493,4391,031,850 5 35 April, 1843512,7981,080,249 2 25 July, 1843495,7231,032,643 5 115 October, 1843515,4581,060,023 8 75 January, 1844562,0301,196,428 8 25 April, 1844582,0561,212,094 4 95 July, 1844555,5611,166,161 12 35 October, 1844574,2501,184,178 — 55 January, 1845621,8261,296,451 17 45 April, 1845656,4521,372,405 18 85 July, 1845613,5391,279,050 2 45 October, 1845637,3691,316,164 12 15 January, 1846719,8131,495,832 17 65 April, 1846716,6181,490,626 12 55 July, 1846679,2361,399,789 17 25 October, 1846706,0551,447,507 17 25 January, 1847779,7901,588,549 7 25 April, 1847810,6031,654,278 7 —[pg 067]The Commission on Money Orders was, on and from the 20th November, 1840, reduced as follows:For any sum not exceeding £2, from 6d. to 3d.For any sum above £2, and not exceeding £5, from 1s. 6d. to6d.V. Return of the Number ofChargeable Letters, which is passed through the London General Post, inwards and outwards, in the first four weeks of each year, beginning with 1839, distinguishing the Unpaid, Paid with Coin, Stamped, and Total.8Years.Unpaid.Paid.Stamped.Total.183991,358,651263,4961,622,147184010787,1392,217,1273,004,2661841370,0802,204,4192,108,0744,683,0731842351,1342,166,9602,760,7575,278,8511843312,8392,431,2312,972,8285,716,8981844433,2702,524,2703,079,4186,037,5261845504,5192,613,6483,681,0266,800,2931846551,4612,899,3064,435,9667,886,733184711448,8383,057,2574,905,6748,411,769[pg 068]VI. Return of the Number ofChargeable Letterswhich passed through the London District Post, excluding all General Post Letters, in the first four weeks of each year, beginning with 1839.Years.Unpaid.Paid.Stamped.Total.1839800,573220,8131,021,2861840331,5891,207,9851,539,5741841157,242926,264752,1341,835,6401842118,101820,835980,6941,919,6301843113,293837,6241,020,0911,971,008184498,712859,7761,181,3142,139,802184599,005947,6601,337,1322,383,6971846119,1651,055,7171,573,6032,748,4851847108,1581,079,3781,685,1052,872,641The Penny Rate took effect on this route Dec. 5, 1839.The increase of the total, since 1839, is 181 per cent.; showing that the greatest increase is out of the London District.VII. Table by Mr. Hill, showing the loss of Revenue by the Post Office, compared with the Increase of Population.Years.Population.Postage.Postage due byLoss.Pr. ct.Population.181519,552,000£1,557,291£1,557,291182020,928,0001,479,5471,677,000£194,55311.6182522,362,0001,670,2091,789,000118,7816.6183023,961,0001,517,9521,917,000399,04820.183525,605,0001,540,3002,048,000507,70024.8VII. Table by Mr. Hill, showing the loss of Revenue by the Post Office, compared with the Increase of the Stage-Coach Duty.Years.Stage CoachPostage.Post due byLoss.Pr. ct.DutyCoach Duty.1815£217,671£1,557,291£1,557,2911820273,4771,479,5471,946,000£466,45324.1825362,6311,670,2092,585,000914,78135.1830418,5981,517,9522,990,0001,472,04849.1835498,4971,540,3003,550,0002,009,70057.The revenue from the stage coach duty had increased 128 per cent. in twenty years. There was no reason why the natural demand for the conveyance of letters should not have increased at least as much as the demand for the conveyance of persons. It was evident that the postage revenue fell short by at least two millions which was lost by the high rate of postage.[pg 069]NEWSPAPERS.[From Porter's Progress of the British Nation.]Owing to the great craving of the people for information upon political subjects during the agitation that accompanied the introduction and passing of the bill“to amend the representation of the people,”commonly known as“The Reform Bill,”a great temptation was offered for the illegal publication of newspapers upon unstamped paper, many of which were sold in large numbers in defiance of all the preventive efforts made by the officers of government. The stamp duty of fourpence per sheet was therefore taken off in 1836, leaving a stamp of 1d., as an equivalent for free postage.IX. Table showing the Number of Newspapers at different periods, and the Revenue derived from the same.Years.Newspapers.Revenue.180116,085,085£185,806181124,421,713298,547182124,862,186335,753182627,004,802451,676183030,158,741505,439183135,198,160483,153183533,191,820453,130183635,576,056359,826183753,496,207218,042183853,347,231221,164183955,891,003238,394184060,922,151244,416184159,936,897184261,495,50318431844X. Table showing the Increase of Expense in the British Post Office, consequent upon the Increase of the Number of Letters under the new System; the Rate per Letter of the Cost of additional Letters, and the Profits realized from such Increase, expressed in decimals of a penny.Years.Increase of Letters.Increase of Cost.Additional Cost.Additional Profit.184093,000,000£70,231d. 0.181d. 0.819184127,500,000101,6780.8870.113184212,000,00072,2561.44512184312,000,00035,8260.7160.284184421,500,00013—1.004184529,500,0006,8700.0550.945184628,000,000140,5761.2051418472,2500,00023,8790.2570.746N. B. The increase of letters since 1839 is 246 millions, and cost of the increase is .347 of a penny; so that every letter now added to the circulation yields a net profit to the government of .625d., or nearly two thirds of the penny postage.
APPENDIX.I. TABLES FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY RETURNS.The parliamentary return, obligingly sent to Dr. Webb by Mr. Hume, M. P., bears date the 11th of June, 1847, and was made in pursuance of an order of the House, passed April 22, 1847. The tabular statements contained in this important paper will be examined with great interest by those who are accustomed to statistical inquiries, and are here presented for their use. Taken in connection with Mr. Hume's table, on page 4, they will present the most convincing evidence of the unparalleled success of cheap postage.A comparative statement of theNumber of Lettersdelivered in the United Kingdom, in one week of the month of November, 1839, and of each subsequent year, taking a week in the month of April, 1847. (Condensed from the parliamentary document.)Years.England and Wales.Ireland.Scotland.United Kingdom.183931,252,977179,931153,0651,585,97318402,685,181385,672385,2623,456,11518413,029,453403,421413,2483,846,12218423,282,021474,031446,4944,202,54618433,401,595478,941468,6774,349,21318443,744,011527,630511,6634,783,30418454,467,619597,425601,7155,666,75918464,629,324649,324621,8505,890,704184744,823,854698,313626,7096,148,876[pg 066]II. An account, showing theGrossandNet Post Office Revenue, and theCost of Management, for the United Kingdom, for the year ending the 5th day of January, 1839, and for each subsequent year.Year endingGross Revenue.5Cost of Management.6Net Revenue.5 January, 1839£2,346,278 —s. 9½d.£686,768 3s. 6¾d.£1,659,509 17s. 2¾d.5 January, 184072,390,763 10 1½756,999 7 41,633,764 2 9½5 January, 18411,359,466 9 2858,677 —5¼500,789 11 4¼5 January, 18421,499,418 10 11¾938,168 19 7½561,249 11 4¼5 January, 18431,578,145 16 7½977,504 10 3600,641 64½5 January, 18441,620,867 11 10980,650 7 5¾640,217 4 4¼5 January, 18451,705,067 16 4985,110 13 10¾719,957 2 5¼5 January, 18461,901,580 10 2¾1,125,594 5 —775,986 5 2¾5 January, 18471,978,293 11 10¼1,138,745 2 4¼839,548 9 6III. Return of thePaymentsmade by thePost Officeduring each of the years ending the 5th of January, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, for theConveyanceof theMailsbyRailwayin Great Britain.5th January, 1839,£12,380 5s. 7d.5th January, 1840,52,230 1 25th January, 1841,51,301 6 85th January, 1842,94,818 7 105th January, 1843,77,570 5 75th January, 1844,96,360 10 55th January, 1845,89,809 4 65th January, 1846,179,257 4 15th January, 1847,107,890 14 2IV. An account of the Number and Amount ofMoney Ordersissued (and paid) in England and Wales (London included), from the 5th April, 1839, to 5th April, 1847, inclusive.For the Quarters endedNumber.Amount.5 April, 183928,838£49,496 5s. 8d.5 July, 183934,61259,099 9 55 October, 183938,51064,056 7 85 January, 184040,76367,411 2 75 April, 184076,145119,932 12 15 July, 184094,215151,734 15 85 October, 1840122,420196,507 14 35 January, 1841189,984334,652 14 85 April, 1841275,870567,518 12 35 July, 1841289,884608,774 11 25 October, 1841334,071661,099 9 —5 January, 1842390,290820,576 11 105 April, 1842419,530890,575 17 15 July, 1842422,452885,803 4 55 October, 1842432,205901,549 5 55 January, 1843493,4391,031,850 5 35 April, 1843512,7981,080,249 2 25 July, 1843495,7231,032,643 5 115 October, 1843515,4581,060,023 8 75 January, 1844562,0301,196,428 8 25 April, 1844582,0561,212,094 4 95 July, 1844555,5611,166,161 12 35 October, 1844574,2501,184,178 — 55 January, 1845621,8261,296,451 17 45 April, 1845656,4521,372,405 18 85 July, 1845613,5391,279,050 2 45 October, 1845637,3691,316,164 12 15 January, 1846719,8131,495,832 17 65 April, 1846716,6181,490,626 12 55 July, 1846679,2361,399,789 17 25 October, 1846706,0551,447,507 17 25 January, 1847779,7901,588,549 7 25 April, 1847810,6031,654,278 7 —[pg 067]The Commission on Money Orders was, on and from the 20th November, 1840, reduced as follows:For any sum not exceeding £2, from 6d. to 3d.For any sum above £2, and not exceeding £5, from 1s. 6d. to6d.V. Return of the Number ofChargeable Letters, which is passed through the London General Post, inwards and outwards, in the first four weeks of each year, beginning with 1839, distinguishing the Unpaid, Paid with Coin, Stamped, and Total.8Years.Unpaid.Paid.Stamped.Total.183991,358,651263,4961,622,147184010787,1392,217,1273,004,2661841370,0802,204,4192,108,0744,683,0731842351,1342,166,9602,760,7575,278,8511843312,8392,431,2312,972,8285,716,8981844433,2702,524,2703,079,4186,037,5261845504,5192,613,6483,681,0266,800,2931846551,4612,899,3064,435,9667,886,733184711448,8383,057,2574,905,6748,411,769[pg 068]VI. Return of the Number ofChargeable Letterswhich passed through the London District Post, excluding all General Post Letters, in the first four weeks of each year, beginning with 1839.Years.Unpaid.Paid.Stamped.Total.1839800,573220,8131,021,2861840331,5891,207,9851,539,5741841157,242926,264752,1341,835,6401842118,101820,835980,6941,919,6301843113,293837,6241,020,0911,971,008184498,712859,7761,181,3142,139,802184599,005947,6601,337,1322,383,6971846119,1651,055,7171,573,6032,748,4851847108,1581,079,3781,685,1052,872,641The Penny Rate took effect on this route Dec. 5, 1839.The increase of the total, since 1839, is 181 per cent.; showing that the greatest increase is out of the London District.VII. Table by Mr. Hill, showing the loss of Revenue by the Post Office, compared with the Increase of Population.Years.Population.Postage.Postage due byLoss.Pr. ct.Population.181519,552,000£1,557,291£1,557,291182020,928,0001,479,5471,677,000£194,55311.6182522,362,0001,670,2091,789,000118,7816.6183023,961,0001,517,9521,917,000399,04820.183525,605,0001,540,3002,048,000507,70024.8VII. Table by Mr. Hill, showing the loss of Revenue by the Post Office, compared with the Increase of the Stage-Coach Duty.Years.Stage CoachPostage.Post due byLoss.Pr. ct.DutyCoach Duty.1815£217,671£1,557,291£1,557,2911820273,4771,479,5471,946,000£466,45324.1825362,6311,670,2092,585,000914,78135.1830418,5981,517,9522,990,0001,472,04849.1835498,4971,540,3003,550,0002,009,70057.The revenue from the stage coach duty had increased 128 per cent. in twenty years. There was no reason why the natural demand for the conveyance of letters should not have increased at least as much as the demand for the conveyance of persons. It was evident that the postage revenue fell short by at least two millions which was lost by the high rate of postage.[pg 069]NEWSPAPERS.[From Porter's Progress of the British Nation.]Owing to the great craving of the people for information upon political subjects during the agitation that accompanied the introduction and passing of the bill“to amend the representation of the people,”commonly known as“The Reform Bill,”a great temptation was offered for the illegal publication of newspapers upon unstamped paper, many of which were sold in large numbers in defiance of all the preventive efforts made by the officers of government. The stamp duty of fourpence per sheet was therefore taken off in 1836, leaving a stamp of 1d., as an equivalent for free postage.IX. Table showing the Number of Newspapers at different periods, and the Revenue derived from the same.Years.Newspapers.Revenue.180116,085,085£185,806181124,421,713298,547182124,862,186335,753182627,004,802451,676183030,158,741505,439183135,198,160483,153183533,191,820453,130183635,576,056359,826183753,496,207218,042183853,347,231221,164183955,891,003238,394184060,922,151244,416184159,936,897184261,495,50318431844X. Table showing the Increase of Expense in the British Post Office, consequent upon the Increase of the Number of Letters under the new System; the Rate per Letter of the Cost of additional Letters, and the Profits realized from such Increase, expressed in decimals of a penny.Years.Increase of Letters.Increase of Cost.Additional Cost.Additional Profit.184093,000,000£70,231d. 0.181d. 0.819184127,500,000101,6780.8870.113184212,000,00072,2561.44512184312,000,00035,8260.7160.284184421,500,00013—1.004184529,500,0006,8700.0550.945184628,000,000140,5761.2051418472,2500,00023,8790.2570.746N. B. The increase of letters since 1839 is 246 millions, and cost of the increase is .347 of a penny; so that every letter now added to the circulation yields a net profit to the government of .625d., or nearly two thirds of the penny postage.
I. TABLES FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY RETURNS.
The parliamentary return, obligingly sent to Dr. Webb by Mr. Hume, M. P., bears date the 11th of June, 1847, and was made in pursuance of an order of the House, passed April 22, 1847. The tabular statements contained in this important paper will be examined with great interest by those who are accustomed to statistical inquiries, and are here presented for their use. Taken in connection with Mr. Hume's table, on page 4, they will present the most convincing evidence of the unparalleled success of cheap postage.
A comparative statement of theNumber of Lettersdelivered in the United Kingdom, in one week of the month of November, 1839, and of each subsequent year, taking a week in the month of April, 1847. (Condensed from the parliamentary document.)
II. An account, showing theGrossandNet Post Office Revenue, and theCost of Management, for the United Kingdom, for the year ending the 5th day of January, 1839, and for each subsequent year.
III. Return of thePaymentsmade by thePost Officeduring each of the years ending the 5th of January, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, for theConveyanceof theMailsbyRailwayin Great Britain.
IV. An account of the Number and Amount ofMoney Ordersissued (and paid) in England and Wales (London included), from the 5th April, 1839, to 5th April, 1847, inclusive.
The Commission on Money Orders was, on and from the 20th November, 1840, reduced as follows:
For any sum not exceeding £2, from 6d. to 3d.For any sum above £2, and not exceeding £5, from 1s. 6d. to6d.
V. Return of the Number ofChargeable Letters, which is passed through the London General Post, inwards and outwards, in the first four weeks of each year, beginning with 1839, distinguishing the Unpaid, Paid with Coin, Stamped, and Total.8
VI. Return of the Number ofChargeable Letterswhich passed through the London District Post, excluding all General Post Letters, in the first four weeks of each year, beginning with 1839.
The Penny Rate took effect on this route Dec. 5, 1839.
The increase of the total, since 1839, is 181 per cent.; showing that the greatest increase is out of the London District.
VII. Table by Mr. Hill, showing the loss of Revenue by the Post Office, compared with the Increase of Population.
VII. Table by Mr. Hill, showing the loss of Revenue by the Post Office, compared with the Increase of the Stage-Coach Duty.
The revenue from the stage coach duty had increased 128 per cent. in twenty years. There was no reason why the natural demand for the conveyance of letters should not have increased at least as much as the demand for the conveyance of persons. It was evident that the postage revenue fell short by at least two millions which was lost by the high rate of postage.
NEWSPAPERS.
[From Porter's Progress of the British Nation.]
Owing to the great craving of the people for information upon political subjects during the agitation that accompanied the introduction and passing of the bill“to amend the representation of the people,”commonly known as“The Reform Bill,”a great temptation was offered for the illegal publication of newspapers upon unstamped paper, many of which were sold in large numbers in defiance of all the preventive efforts made by the officers of government. The stamp duty of fourpence per sheet was therefore taken off in 1836, leaving a stamp of 1d., as an equivalent for free postage.
IX. Table showing the Number of Newspapers at different periods, and the Revenue derived from the same.
X. Table showing the Increase of Expense in the British Post Office, consequent upon the Increase of the Number of Letters under the new System; the Rate per Letter of the Cost of additional Letters, and the Profits realized from such Increase, expressed in decimals of a penny.
N. B. The increase of letters since 1839 is 246 millions, and cost of the increase is .347 of a penny; so that every letter now added to the circulation yields a net profit to the government of .625d., or nearly two thirds of the penny postage.