Statue on Postal Rates
THIRTY-SEVENTH CONGRESS. Sess. III. CH. 71. 1863. 705
vided into three classes, namely: first, letters; second, regular printed matter; third, miscellaneous matter.
Sec. 20. And be it further enacted, That the first class embraces all correspondence, wholly or partly in writing, except that mentioned in the third class. The second class embraces all mailable matter exclusively in print, and regularly issued at stated periods, without addition by writing, mark, or sign. The third class embraces all other matter which is or may hereafter he by law declared mailable; embracing all pamphlets, occasional publications, books, book manuscripts, and proof sheets, whether corrected or not, maps, prints, engravings, blanks, flexible patterns, samples and sample cards, phonographic paper, letter envelopes, postal envelopes, or wrappers, cards, paper, plain or ornamental, photographic representations of different types, seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, and scions.
Sec. 21. And be it further enacted, That the maximum standard weight for the single rate of letter postage is one half ounce avoirdupois.
Sec. 22. And be it further enacted, That the rate of postage on all domestic letters transmitted in the mails of the United States, and not exceeding one half ounce in weight, shall be uniform at three cents; and for each half ounce, or fraction thereof of additional weight, there shall be charged an additional rate of three cents, to be in all cases prepaid by postage stamps plainly affixed to such letter.
Sec. 23. And be it further enacted, That the rate of postage on all letters not transmitted through the mails of the United States, but delivered through the post-office or its carriers, commonly described as local or drop letters, and not exceeding one half ounce in weight, shall be uniform at two cents, and an additional rate for each half ounce or fraction thereof of additional weight, to be in all cases prepaid by postage stamps affixed to the envelope of such letter, but no extra postage or carrier's fee shall hereafter be charged or collected upon letters delivered by carriers, nor upon letters collected by them for mailing or for delivery.
Sec. 24. And be it further enacted, That the domestic letter rate of postage is established for all mailable matter which is wholly or partly in writing, or is so marked as to convey any other or further intelligence or information than is conveyed by the original print in case of printed matter, or which is sent in violation of law or regulations of the department touching the enclosure of matter which may be sent at less than letter rates, and for all matter introduced into. the mails for which no different rate is provided by law: Provided, That book manuscripts and corrected proofs passing between authors and publishers may pass at the rate of printed matter: And provided further, That publishers of newspapers and periodicals may print or write upon their publications sent to regular subscribers the address of subscribers and the date when the subscription expires, and may enclose therewith receipts for payment and bills for subscription thereto.
Sec. 25. And be it further enacted, That on all matter not enumerated as mailable matter, and to which no specific rates of postage are assigned, and which shall nevertheless be mailed, the rate, if the same shall be forwarded, is established at the rate of letter postage.
Sec. 26. And be it further enacted, That if any matter on which by law the postage is required to be prepaid at the mailing office shall reach its destination without such prepayment, double the prepaid rates shall be charged and collected on delivery.
Sec. 27. And be it further enacted, That the Postmaster-General is authorized to provide by uniform regulation for transmitting unpaid and duly certified letters of soldiers, sailors, and marines in the service of the United States to destination; and all other letters which from accident or neglect appear to have been deposited for mailing without prepayment of postage, where, in the latter class, the writer is not known, or cannot be promptly advised of his default; but in all cases of letters not prepaid,
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First class. Second class. Third class.
Weight and rate of single letter postage.
Prepayment. Drop letters. No carrier's fee.
Letter postage to include what.
Proofs.
Address of subscribers may be written or printed.
Matter not enumerated to be treated as letter postage.
Matter not prepaid to be charged double on delivery.
Soldiers' letters, &c.
Letters not prepaid by accident.
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