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Letter to Editor
July 27, 1829
Phenix Gazette
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A merchant suggests that letter writers mark the number of sheets (single, double, etc.) on envelopes to avoid postage disputes, as postmasters must estimate contents. He shares his experience of doing so for years without complaints.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
[For the Phenix Gazette.]
Mr. Editor--Under the existing regulations
of the Post Office Department, it would be well
for every person to mark on their letters whe-
ther single, double, triple, or quadruple. If this
rule was generally adopted, there would be no
complaints about the postage. Postmasters
ought not to be censured for marking letters
too much; for it is impossible to tell the exact
number of pieces in all. They are, of course,
guided by their best judgment; and, no doubt,
letters are as often under as over-charged; but
the difficulty is easily obviated, if persons would
do that which they ought. I speak from ex-
perience--I have, for several years, marked the
number of enclosures contained in my letters,
and I never have heard a single complaint of
any of them being overcharged.
A MERCHANT.
Mr. Editor--Under the existing regulations
of the Post Office Department, it would be well
for every person to mark on their letters whe-
ther single, double, triple, or quadruple. If this
rule was generally adopted, there would be no
complaints about the postage. Postmasters
ought not to be censured for marking letters
too much; for it is impossible to tell the exact
number of pieces in all. They are, of course,
guided by their best judgment; and, no doubt,
letters are as often under as over-charged; but
the difficulty is easily obviated, if persons would
do that which they ought. I speak from ex-
perience--I have, for several years, marked the
number of enclosures contained in my letters,
and I never have heard a single complaint of
any of them being overcharged.
A MERCHANT.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Persuasive
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
What keywords are associated?
Post Office
Postage Regulations
Letter Marking
Merchant Advice
Overcharges
What entities or persons were involved?
A Merchant.
Mr. Editor
Letter to Editor Details
Author
A Merchant.
Recipient
Mr. Editor
Main Argument
letter writers should mark the number of sheets in their letters to prevent postage overcharges, as postmasters cannot always accurately assess contents and rely on judgment.
Notable Details
Speaks From Personal Experience Of Marking Letters For Several Years Without Complaints