tion of the

any memorandum in writing in a newspaper or among any package of newspapers, which he shall have delivered into any post office, or to any person for that purpose, in order that the same may be carried by post, free of letter postage, he shall forfeit the sum of five dollars for every such offence; and the letter, newspaper, package, memorandum or other thing, shall not be delivered to the person to whom it is directed until the amount of single letter postage is paid for each article of which the package shall be composed. No newspapers shall be received by the postmasters to be conveyed by post, unless they are sufficiently dried and enclosed, in proper wrappers, on which, beside the direction, shall be noted the number of papers which are enclosed for subscribers, and the number for printers. The postmaster general, in any contract he may enter into for the conveyance of the mail, may authorise the person with whom such contract is to be made, to carry newspapers, magazines and pamphlets, other than those conveyed in the mail. When the mode of conveyance and the size of the mails will admit of it, magazines and pamphlets may be transported in the mail at one cent a sheet, for any distance not exceeding fifty miles, at one cent and an half for any distance over fifty and not exceeding one hundred miles, and two cents for any greater distance.

Sec. 28. And be it further enacted, That Compensa- the postmaster general be authorised to alpostmasters. low to the postmasters respectively, such commission on the monies arising from the postage of letters and packets as shall be adequate to their respective services and ex.

penses: Provided, That the said commis- Proviso,
sion shall not exceed thirty per cent. on the
first hundred dollars collected in one quarter,
and twenty five per cent. on a sum over one
hundred and not more than three hundred:
and twenty per cent. on any sum over four
hundred and not exceeding two thousand
dollars; and eight per cent. on any sum col-
lected, being over two thousand four hun-
dred dollars; except to the postmasters who
may be employed in receiving and despatch-
ing foreign mails, whose compensation may
be augmented, not exceeding twenty-five
dollars, in one quarter, and excepting to the
postmasters at offices where the mail is re-
gularly to arrive, between the hours of nine
o'clock at night and five o'clock in the morn-
ing; whose commission on the first hundred
dollars collected in one quarter, may be in-
creased to a sum not exceeding fifty per cent.
The postmaster general may allow to the
postmasters respectively, a commission of
fifty per cent. on the monies arising from
the postage of newspapers, magazines and
pamphlets; and to the postmasters, whose
compensation shall not exceed five hundred
dollars in one quarter, two cents for every
free letter delivered out of the office, exccpt-
ing such as are for the postmaster himself;
and each postmaster who shall be required to
keep a register of the arrival and depar-
ture of the mails, shall be allowed ten cents
for each monthly return which he makes
thereof to the general post office.

Sec. 29. And be it further enacted, That if any postmaster or other person authorised to receive the postage of letters and packets shall neglect or refuse to render his accounts,

Postmasters

to settle their accounts, and

pay over to

the postmas

ter general

in their hands every three months.

the balances and pay over to the postmaster general the balance by him due at the end of every three months, it shall be the duty of the postmaster general to cause a suit to be commenced against the person or persons so neglecting or refusing; and if the postmaster general shall not cause such suit to be commenced within six months from the end of every such three months, the balances duc from every such delinquent shall be charged to and recoverable from the postmaster general. That all suits which shall be hereafter commenced for the recovery of debts or balances due to the general post office, whether they appear by bond or obligations made in the name of the existing or any preceding postmaster general, or otherwise, shall be instituted in the name of the "Postmaster general of the United States." That certified copies under the seal of the general post office, of the accounts current of the several postmasters, after the same shall have been examined and adjusted at that office, shall be admitted as evidence in all suits brought by the postmaster general for the recovery of balances or debts due from postmasters, and in like manner copies of such accounts current as are lodged in the office of the register of the treasury, certified by the register under the seal of his office, shall be admitied as evidence.

Penalties up

masters for

not making

Sec. 30. And be it further enacted, That on the post- if any postmaster or other person who shall receive and open, or despatch mails, shall neglect to render accounts thereof for onc month after the time, and in the form and manner prescribed by law, and by the postmaster general's instructions conformable

duly their returns to the

general post office.

therewith, he shall forfeit double the value of the postages which shall have arisen at the same office in any equal portion of time previous or subsequent thereto; or in case no account shall have been rendered at the time of trial of such case, then such sum as the court and jury shall estimate equivalent thereto, to be recovered by the postmaster general in an action on the case.

Sec. 31. And be it further enacted, That Persons to all pecuniary penalties and forfeitures incur- whom pecu red under this act, shall be one half for the niary penal use of the person or persons informing and feitures are prosecuting for the same, and the other half to enure. to the use of the United States.

sary,

ties and for

the transmis

Sec. 32. And be it further enacted, That Postmaster it shall be lawful for the postmaster general general may to make provision, where it may be neces- provide for for the receipt of all letters and pack- sion of letters ets intended to be conveyed by any ship or beyond sea. vessel beyond sea, or from any port in the United States, to another port therein; and the letters so received shall be formed into a mail, sealed up and directed to the postmaster of the port to which such ship or vessel shall be bound. And for every letter or packet so received, there shall be paid at the time of its reception, a postage of one cent, which shall be for the use of the postmasters, respectively receiving the same. And the postmaster general may make arrangements with the postmasters in any foreign country, for the reciprocal receipt and delivery of letters and packets through the post offices.

Sec. 33. And be it further enacted, That the postmasters and the persons employed in the transportation of the mail shall be exempt from militia duties, and serving on ju

Letter carri

at

ers may be
employed
places desig
nated by the

postmaster
general.

Proviso.

ries, or any fine or penalty for neglect thereof.

Sec. 34. And be it further enacted, That letter carriers shall be employed at such postoffices as the postmaster general shall direct, for the delivery of letters in the places respectively, where such post offices are established; and for the delivery of each such Regulations. letter, the letter carrier may receive of the person to whom the delivery is made, two cents: Provided, That no letter shall be delivered to such letter carrier for distribution, addressed to any person who shall have lodged at the post office a written request that his letters shall be detained in the office. And for every letter lodged at any post office, not to be carried by post, but to be delivered at the place where it is to be so lodged, the postmaster shall receive one cent of the person to whom it shall be delivered.

Before what

Sec. 35. And be it further enacted, That officers offen- all causes of action arising under this act may ces under this be sucd, and all offenders against this act prosecuted & may be prosecuted, before the justices of the

act may be

tried.

In suits under

this act the

peace, magistrates and other judicial courts of the several states, and of the several territories of the United States, they having competent jurisdiction by the laws of such states or territories, to the trial of claims and demands of as great value, and of the prosecutions where the punishments are of as great extent; and such justices, magistrates or ju diciary, shall take cognizance thereof, and proceed to judgment and execution, as in other cases.

Sec. 36. And be it further enacted, That in all suits or causes arising under this act, ceed to judg- the court shall proceed to trial, and render

court to pro

ment at once.