The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 99 



was substituted for " Index letters " about the end of the year 

 1894. 



Here we conclude our references to the Dumfries postmarks. 

 We leave the reader to form his own opinion as to the merits of 

 the respective designs which are here illustrated. 



VII. — Rates of Postage, Including " The Franking System." 



The term "postage," as applied to the charge made for 

 the conveyance and delivery of articles passing through the post, 

 is comparatively modern. 



" The Act of 1764," says Joyce,''^ " is the first so to use it. 

 The term is indeed used in the Act of 1660, but there it signifies 

 the hire of a horse for travelling, i.e., " Each horse's hire or 

 postage." 



As we have already seen, the tariff for postage or " portage " 

 introduced by Thomas Witherings at the establishment of a 

 regular postal service with Scotland was as follows : — 



Under 80 miles 



80 miles and not exceeding 140 .. 



Above 140 miles 



To and from Scotland 8d After two ozs. 6d the oz. 



This was the introduction of such charges, but it is of interest 

 to note the various changes and concessions which have from 

 time to time been introduced. 



Although it was to the Act passed in 1657 that the Post 

 Office owed its establishment on a sound basis, another Act passed 

 in 1660, as being unimpeachable, has come to be regarded as its 

 charter. The rates of postage prescribed by the earlier Act were, 

 however, only slightly altered by the Act of 1660. As finally 

 introduced, the charges were as follows : — 



Single 

 Letter. 

 80 miles and under ... .. ... ... 2d 



Above SO miles 3d 



To and from Berwick 3d 



From Berwick within Scotland. 



40 miles and under ... 2d 



Above 40 miles .. 4d 



49 Footnote Joyce's " History of the P.O.," p. 29. 



