Sale 290


 
Lot 150



1775 (May 12) Watertown Provincial Congress, folded letter sheet datelined "In Provincial Congress Watertown, May 12th 1775", the copy of the Act approved on May 18, 1775 that created an independent postal system in Massachusetts, which New Hampshire latter joined, small stain spot, otherwise Very Fine, an important historical document describing the postal matters during the Revolutionary Period.
Estimate 1,500 - 2,000

THE ONLY RECORDED ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN COPY OF THE ACT APPROVED MAY 12, 1775, CREATING AN INDEPENDENT POSTAL SYSTEM IN MASSACHUSETTS.

The copy reads in part, "Resolved, as the Opinion of this Congress that Post Riders be immediately established to go from Cambridge, and to ride the following road, viz. To George Town, in the County of Lincoln - To Havehill - To Providence - To Woodstock by Worcester, and from Worcester to Great Barrington by Springfd. and to Falmouth, in the County of Barnstable.

And that Post Offices be kept as followith, viz. one at Cambridge - One at Salem, one at Ipswich - one at Havehill - one at Newbury Port - one at Kennebunk in Wells, one at George Town, in the Cty. of Lincoln - one at Worcester - one at Springfield - one at Great Barringto, one at Plymo. - one at Sandwich - and one at Falmo. in the Coy. of Barnstable."

The copy continues with various post office business including postmaster appointments and the rate table by distances. Rates include 5¼d for up to 60 miles, 8d for 60-100 miles, 10½d for 100-200 miles, 1sh 1d for 200-300 miles, etc. Additional section dated May 18th, 1775 added Portsmouth New Hampshire to the independent postal system. Also noted, is that Connecticut has already taken of the business of setting up an independent postal system.


 
Realized $3,250



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