192 



TiMEHRI. 



were ordered, immediately on their arrival, to hang up their 

 Letter Bags at the Secretary's office, and, after it was 

 established, at the Post Office ; also to call for them 

 before going away ; no vessel being allowed to clear or 

 enter without a certificate that this had been done. 



The Post Office was thus fairly started as a Govern- 

 ment institution, but the first Postmaster was a failure. 

 On the 26th of May, 1797, the Governor reported to 

 the Court, that Mr. THOMSON had absented himself 

 without leave, and his whereabouts was unknown. He 

 (the Governor) had found the Post Office in confusion 

 and disorder, and put it under the control of the Secre- 

 tary's office for the present. It was resolved to dismiss 

 the delinquent postmaster and appoint another, Mr. 

 James Murray being chosen. 



This gentleman did not hold the office long, being 

 superseded by a nominee of the Postmaster-General, 

 Mr. Jas. Ogle, who exhibited the following letter to 

 the Governor in July, 1798 : — 



General Post Office, London, 

 April 4th, 1798. 



Sir, — In the Mail for Barbados, that is now making up in this Office 

 there will be a bag included, containing the letters for the Colonies of 

 Demerary, Berbice and Essequebo, which the Postmaster of Barbados 

 will deliver to you. My Lords the Postmasters General, at the instance 

 of the merchants here, trading to the Colonies in question, have con- 

 sented to give you a nominal appointment of Postmaster, you will of 

 course dispose properly of the letters, and I beg to add that the Post- 

 master of Barbados is authorised to demand from you the payment of 

 the postage as often as he shall find it convenient. 



S. Freeling, 

 Secretary. 



P.S. — Any such letters as you may not be able to deliver, from not 

 finding the persons to whom they may be directed, or who may have 



