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The British Post Office Act of 1710
The British Post Office Act of 1710 (aka Queen Anne's Act) was created to improve the colonial postal system. With this act, a deputy postmaster general for the colonies was created as well as uniform rates for letter parcels. The British Post Office Act of 1710 was effective for all of the British colonies. Colonists were not pleased with this act for it was perceived as another form of taxation(1). Footnote didn't fit due to character limitations, see attached for footnotes, photo credit. -
Ben Franklin - Postmaster of Philadelphia
Franklin was announced postmaster of Philadelphia by the British Crown. During this time, post was mostly transatlantic correspondence consisting of official and commercial business. It wasn't often one member of a colony had to contact another member from a different colony. Over the next few decades, Franklin brought form to the disorganized postal system Britain had implemented(2). -
Ben Franklin - Postmaster General for American Colonies
Franklin was appointed joint postmaster general of the American colonies by the British Crown, holding this position for 21 years. A weekly mail wagon was initiated between Philadelphia and Boston. Postal riders traveled by horseback day and night, cutting delivery time in half. Postal service became more efficient in the colonies and Britain was making a profit(3). Since most post was transatlantic, a system of fast-sailing "packet ships" was organized for the transatlantic mail(4). -
Colonial Postage Rate Chart
The postal rates set by Parliament are displayed in this photo, remaining unchanged until the American Revolution. These charts were displayed in post offices in all of the colonies. The rates were printed in British currency, so Franklin and another postmaster (John Foxcroft) converted the British currency rates into grains of silver and pennyweights to be compatible with colonial currency(5). -
George Washington's Postage Bill
During this time through the 19th century, the person who received the mail was responsible for paying the postage fee, not the sender. This postage bill from 1773 shows that George Washington was charged 32 pennyweights and 16 grains of silver for letters sent to him from Colonel Fairfax(6). -
Crown dismisses Ben Franklin
Due to his revolutionary activities, the Crown terminates Franklin from his position of joint Postmaster General for the colonies(7). These revolutionary activities consisted of an association with writings detrimental to the Crown. Franklin was replaced by Hugh Finlay, although this was short-lived. United and still angered by considering the British postal system a form of taxation without representation, colonists burn British postal routes throughout the colonies(8). -
Ben Franklin - Postmaster General for United Colonies
The Continental Congress appoints Franklin as postmaster general of the United Colonies(9). Colonists are still furious with Britain which results in them starting their own postal system. Started in 1775 by William Goddard, it was called the Constitutional Post. Franklin was named the first postmaster general of the Continental Post. The Continental Post forced Britains' postal service out of business on Christmas Day 1775 and become the foundation of the United States' postal system(10). -
Postal Act 1790
Postal issues were one of the topics heavily debated as the US started to create its new government. Coming to no resolution, The Postal Act of 1790 was, "An act for the temporary establishment of the post office." Created and signed in New York, this document was approved by President George Washington and signed by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State. This act extended policies that were already in place with the postal system(11). -
Postal Act 1792
Signed into law by President Washington, the US Post Office Department became part of the US Federal government. The following advances were made: Free press - Newspapers were allowed circulation in postal system, to help spread information across the nation. National growth - Creation of new postal routes to increase development and expansion. Personal Privacy - Unless undeliverable, postal officials were forbidden to open any parcels(12).
