102 The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 



passing and repassing by the Post between England and Ireland, 

 through Carlisle, Dumfries, Port Patrick, and Donaghadee, or 

 other convenient Ports in Scotland and Ireland, the same Rates 

 or Sums for English Postage, according to the Number of Miles 

 or Stages such Letters and Packets are carried by the Post in 

 England, as also the same Rates or Sums for Scotch Postage, 

 according to the Number of Miles or Stages such Letters and 

 Packets are carried by the Post in Scotland; and, moreover, the 

 same Rates or Sums for Packet Postage between Port Patrick 

 and Donaghadee, or other convenient Ports in Scotland and 

 Ireland, as likewise the same Rates or Sums for Irish Postage, 

 according to the Number of Miles or Stages such Letters are 

 carried by the Post in Ireland, as are respectively settled, estab- 

 lished, and ascertained, by the said Act, made in the Ninth Year 

 of the Reign of Her said late Majesty Queen Anne, or by this 

 present Act." 



On the introduction of the mail coach in 1784 an increase 

 became necessary, and new charges were imposed as follows : — 



Distance. Single. Double. Treble. Ounce 



"Not exceeding one post stage 

 Above one but not two post stages 

 Above two stages but not exceeding 80 



miles 



Above 80 miles but not exceeding 150 niilos 



Above ] 50 miles 



To or from Edinburgh and London 



The extract from the Act (24 George III., C. 37, a.d. 1784) 

 in regard to the increase of one penny on single letters passing 

 to and from Dumfries and Edinburgh is as follows : — 



" And for the Port or Conveyance of every Single Letter 

 conveyed or carried by the Post from the General Post Office in 

 the City of London unto the City of Edinburgh, in that Part of 

 Great Britain called Scotland, or from thence to the said General 

 Post Office in the said City of London, and to and from Dumfries 

 and Cockhiirnspath, and between either of those Places and the 

 said City of Edinburgh, the Sum of One Penny; For every 

 Double Letter, Two Pence ; For every Treble Letter, Three 

 Pence ; And for every Ounce in ^^■ eight. Four Pence ; and so in 

 Proportion for every Packet of Writs, Deeds, or other Things." 



A further increase was made in 1797, the rates within Scot- 



