THE CORNISH MAIL 137 



' The years 1867 and 1868 were, I think, the busiest years for 

 foreign mails. At that time we had a Cape of Good Hope, a 

 Brazil, and a United States line, the latter two being royal 

 mails. I had on one occasion, on one day, to deal with two 

 outward mails and one homeward mail. How I got through I 

 can't tell, for at that time no extra pay for help was allowed ; 

 and although I worked almost night and day, until later years, 

 I got nothing extra for it ; yet all was done without any hitch, 



' I have on more than one occasion gone to London without 

 breakfast, and back next morning, and attended m the office all 

 day afterwards. 



' In the year 1863 I had a curious experience, which I have 

 always thought had some bearing on the closing of the American 

 War. 



' During the month of January, a large blockade-runner, a 

 steamer called the Peterhoff, came in here. Several gentlemen 

 landed from her, and came to see me at the office. After a chat, 

 they told me they had a lot of documents they wanted to get 

 into the Southern States to raise money ; it was of the utmost 

 importance that they should get them through the blockade; 

 if I would put them in a bag, label and seal it for them, they 

 would give me any sum I would take — I was to make up a false 

 mail, of course. If I would do this, they could manage to get it 

 through, and no one would be the wiser. I refused to do it. 



' On the first occasion, they left saying they would call again 

 next day. This they did for several days, telling me every man 

 had his price. I told them, not an Englishman, and they 

 would find it so. After calling for more than a week and 

 finding it no use — trying all in their power ; saying that money 

 was no object : and that whatever I wanted I should have — the 

 ship sailed, and I heard no more of them.' 



Such has been part of the postal experience of 

 Mr. Newberry Cox. 



In August, 1882, having gone out to the Lizard 

 for an official purpose, I was told by the sub-postmaster 

 that a mail-steamer had come ashore a day or two 



