[18] _Connecticut Records_, Vol. III., pp. 392, 393, 398.
[19] _Letter Book of Sam. Sewall_, Vol. I., p. 25.
[20] The discrepancy in dates leads to the supposition that John Perry served as bearer before his actual appointment.
[21] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, Vol. III., p. 682.
June 11th, 1689, the Massachusetts general court[22] appointed Richard Wilkins, postmaster, to receive all letters and deliver them out at 1d. each.
In 1691/2, a new era opened for the colonial post office. On February 7th, of that year, William and Mary, by letters patent, granted[23] to "Thomas Neale, Esq., his executors, administrators and assignes, full power and authority to erect, settle and establish within the chief parts of their majesties' colonies and plantations in America, an office or offices for the receiving and dispatching letters and pacquets, and to receive, send and deliver the same under such rates and sums of money as the planters shall agree to give, and to hold and enjoy the same for the terme of twenty-one years."
[23] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d series, Vol VII., pp. 50-51.
To govern and manage the general post office,[24] Neale appointed (April 4th, 1692) Andrew Hamilton, an Edinburgh merchant, who in 1685 had emigrated to New Jersey, and become special agent of the proprietors.
[24] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d series, Vol. VII., p. 51, also Palfrey's _History of New England_.
On the deposition of Andros in 1689, Hamilton embarked for England to consult with the proprietors; on the voyage was taken prisoner by the French, but soon released, and in 1692 was made governor of New Jersey. Hamilton's application to the colonial legislatures[25] to "ascertain and establish such rates and terms as should tend to quicker maintenance of mutual correspondence among all neighboring colonies and plantations and that trade and commerce might be better preserved," met with a favorable response from the colonial governments.
He first presented the subject to Governor Fletcher and the New York legislature.[26] The council, meeting at Fort Wm. Henry, October 29, 1692,[27] after reading his proposition, and also a letter from the queen to the governor, urging him to assist Hamilton in settling the office, appointed Colonels Courtlandt and Bayard a committee[28] to deliver the proposition to the house of representatives, and in November (1692) the bill was passed by both houses and signed by the governor. The chief provisions of the bill are as follows:[29] A general letter office was to be "erected and established in some convenient place within the city of New York," one master of the general office to be appointed from time to time by Hamilton, who with his servant or agent should have the "receiving, taking up, ordering, dispatching, sending post or with speed and delivery of all letters and pacquets whatsoever, which shall from time to time be sent to and from all and every of the adjacent collonies and plantations on the main land and continent of America or any other of their majesties kingdoms and dominions beyond the Seas." The postmaster was to "prepare and provide horses and furniture unto all through posts and persons riding in post." Rates for single letters to or from Europe, the West Indies or elsewhere to and from beyond the seas, were 9d., and the same from Boston or Maryland to New York; from Virginia, 12d., and to or from any place not exceeding eighty miles from New York, four pence half penny.