EXPRESSES PAST AND PRESENT. 291 



and as we feel that the mail would be supported less than now, 

 should it travel at less than the present speed, and earnings being 

 already very indifferent (not fifty shillings a mile) we trust that 

 his lordship, the Postmaster-General, will allow us an additional 

 twopence per double mile, from and after the 5th of January 

 next, to continue the present contract under these circumstances, 

 should he not compel us to make it a four-horse mail through- 

 out. 



3rd. We further beg to state that, as the South Eastern 

 Eailway will probably be opened in May next, we trust our 

 contract will be permitted to be determinable by either party 

 giving to the other three months' notice at any period after the 

 5 th of April next. 



We are, etc., 



B. W. HORNE, H. HOKNE, 



EoBT. Gray, Junr., W. Chamberlain, 



Benjm. Pawley, Edwd. Pawley, 



John Harris, James Emary. 

 Geo. Stow, Esq. 



To this letter Mr. Stow replied : 



General Post Office, Jan. 11th, 1842. 



Sir, 



I have submitted to the Postmaster-General the letter 

 addressed to me on the 28th ulto., by the contractors for the 

 London and St. Leonards mailj and I have much pleasure in 

 acquainting you that his lordship has been pleased to grant the 

 contractors an additional twopence per double mile to enable 

 them to work the coach with four horses over the hilly and , 

 difficult parts of the road. I request, therefore, that you will com- 

 municate with the Company, and have it thoroughly understood, 

 that under any circumstances the time is in future to be strictly 



maintained. 



I am, sir, 



Yours, etc., 



B. W. Horne, Geo. Stow. 



19—2 



