communications to other postmasters: Provided, That in all such cases the envelope shall be marked "official," with the signature of the writer thereto, and for any and every such endorsement of "official" falsely made the person making the same shall forfeit and pay three hundred dollars. Eighth, petitions to either branch of Congress shall pass free in the mails. Ninth, all communications addressed to any of the franking officers above described, and not excepted in the foregoing clauses, must be prepaid by postage stamps. Franking privilege limited to packages weighing not exceeding four ounces, except petitions to Congress and Congressional documents, and publications or books procured or purchased by order of either House, or of the two Houses; and except, also, seeds, cuttings, roots, and scions, the weight of the packages of which may be fixed by regulation of the Postmaster-General.

[The following explanations and instructions concerning the changes in the franking privilege, made by the foregoing section, have been issued by the Postmaster-General.

Communications may be franked by the President (by himself or secretary), by the Vice-President, and by each member of the cabinet, without being certified to be "official."

The fourth class of franks can only cover official correspondence, and the words "official business" must be upon the envelope and signed by the official franking. For such official correspondence the franking privilege is allowed to the following officers:-the First and Second Comptrollers of the Treasury; the Solicitor of the Treasury; the Auditors of the Treasury; the Treasurer of the United States; the Register of the Treasury; the Assistant Secretary of State; the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury; the Assistant Secretary of the War Department; the Assistant Secretary of the Navy; the Commissioner of the General Land Office; the Commissioner of Customs; the Commissioner of Patents; the Commissioner of Indian Affairs; the Commissioner of Pensions; the Assistant Postmaster-General; the AdjutantGeneral of the Army; the Quartermaster-General; the Inspector-General; the Commissary-General of Subsistence; the Paymaster-General; the Chief Engineer; the Surgeon-General; the Colonel of Ordnance; the chiefs of bureaus of the Navy Department; and the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of the Coast Survey; the Superintendent of the Census; the Commissioner of Agriculture; the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Internal Revenue; the Provost-Marshal General; the chief clerks of the Executive Departments; Senators and Representatives in Congress of the United States; Delegates from Territories; the secretary of the Senate, and clerk of the House of Representatives.

Attention is specially directed to the sixth clause of this section, which changes the former law. All correspondence addressed to any executive department, or any officer in it, must now be prepaid, except official_communications written by some officer of the department, or an officer under its control or responsible to it; and in such cases, under the words "official business" on the envelope, the officer must sign his name with his official designation. All other persons, and all officers writing to departments with which they are not connected, must prepay their postage. All communications to the President not written by a public officer, and all to the Vice-President, must be prepaid.

The seventh clause of this section prohibits all franking by postmasters, or to them, except upon their official communications to the Department, and to each other. In such cases the envelope should bear the certificate "official business,” signed by the postmaster writing. Postmasters can no longer receive printed matter free.

The weight of packages of seeds, cuttings, roots, and scions, to be franked, is limited to thirty-two ounces.]

Soldiers', Marines', and Sailors' Letters. These, when duly certified, may be sent to destination without prepayment.

Mailable Matter divided into Classes.

Matter to be carried by mail is divided into three classes. The first class is letters, embracing all correspondence, wholly or partly in writing, except book manuscripts and proofs; the second is regular printed matter, embracing all mailable matter exclusively in print, regularly issued at stated intervals; the third embraces all other mailable matter, including all pamphlets, ocea sional publications, books, book manuscripts and proof-sheets, maps, prints, engravings, blanks, flexible patterns, samples, sample cards, phono graphic paper, envelopes, wrappers, cards, paper, plain or ornamental, photographic representations of all types, seeds, cuttings, bulbs, roots, and scions.

Matter not enumerated in the second or third class, and to which no specific rate of postage is assigned, is charged with letter postage if for warded.

Letters uncalled for, and Dead Letters.

The Postmaster-General is authorized to regu late the times at which undelivered letters shall be sent to the dead-letter office, and for their return to the writers; and to have published a list of undelivered letters,-by writing, posting, or advertising,-in his discretion. If advertised, it must be in newspaper of largest circulation, regularly published within the delivery. If no daily paper is published within delivery, then list may be advertised in daily paper of adjoining de livery. One cent to be paid publisher for each letter advertised. Letters addressed in foreign languages may be advertised in journal of that language most used. Such journal must be in same or adjoining delivery.

Dead letters, containing valuables, shall be registered in Department; and if they cannot be delivered to person addressed or to writer, the contents, so far as available, shall be included in receipts of Department, subject to reclamation within four years; and such letters, containing valuables not available, shall be disposed of as the PostmasterGeneral shall direct.

Foreign dead letters remain subject to treaty stipulations.

The postage on a returned dead letter is 3 cents, the single rate, unless it is registered as valuable, when double rates are charged.

Uncalled-for letters, on which the writers have endorsed their names, with request to return said letters if not delivered within a specified time, not exceeding thirty days, shall be returned as requested, 3 cents additional for each single rate to be collected on delivery.

Letters not called for where addressed, may be forwarded with additional charge of postage

therefor.

Registration of Valuable Letters.

The Postmaster-General is authorized to establish a uniform plan for the registration of valuable letters or packets, and to charge a registration fee therefor not exceeding 20 cents in addition to postage. Such registration shall not be compulsory, nor shall the Department be made liable for the loss of such letters or packets. Upon delivery of such letters, return receipts shall be sent to the writers, showing the particulars of delivery, and such receipts shall be legal evidence of delivery.

Ship Letters.

On all letters conveyed in any vessel not employed in carrying mails from one port or place to another port or place in the United States, or from foreign countries, the Postmaster-General is authorized to cause to be paid 2 cents each; and such letters shall be deposited in the post-office at

the place of arrival. If for delivery within the United States, every such letter shall be rated with double postage. No fees shall be allowed for letters collected by a carrier on a mail route.

Postmasters, their Appointment, Duties, &c. Postmasters, at offices where the commissions are less than $1000 a year, shall be appointed by the Postmaster-General; where commissions are over $1000, the President shall appoint. The postmaster must reside within his district of delivery. Postmasters, and all persons hereafter appointed to be employed in care or convey ance of the mails, must, before entering upon duty, take and subscribe an oath or affirmation of fidelity to the Government (act of 2 July, 1862), faithfully to perform all duties. Every postmaster shall keep record of all stamps and envelopes, and of all books, blanks, or property received from his predecessor or from the Department, and of all receipts in money for postages, box-rents, or other

wise; which records shall be delivered to his successor. All postmasters shall render full accounts, quarterly, of all transactions, to be verified by

sworn statement.

Letter-Carriers, their Compensation, dc. Letter-carriers shall be employed as the Postmaster-General shall direct, at a compensation not exceeding $800 a year, which may be increased to $1000 at offices where the income will allow, on

proof of the carrier's fidelity, diligence, and experience. Carriers must give bond. Deliveries shall be made as frequently as the public interest may require. No carrier's fee or extra postage shall be charged on letters delivered or collected by carriers. Separate accounts must be kept of the expenses of the carrier service, and of the receipts from local mail matter; and all such expenses must be paid from the income of the office

employing the carriers. Letter-carriers may be employed, under contract between postmaster and publishers, to deliver newspapers, periodicals, circulars, &c., but such contracts must be first approved by the Postmaster-General; and the Postmaster-General may also provide for delivery by such carriers of small packets, not exceeding four pounds each, at the rate of 2 cents for each 4 ounces.

Branch Offices and Pillar Boxes for deposit of Letters for the Mails.

These may be established by the PostmasterGeneral when deemed necessary. The person in charge of branch office shall be appointed, and like bond; and he may be authorized to sell have same salary as letter-carrier, and shall give

stamps.

Wrappers for Printed or other Matter.

letter postage or lawfully franked, may be reguThe manner of wrapping matter not subject to lated by the Postmaster-General, so that the same may be conveniently examined by postmasters, who may remove the wrappers. If not so wrapped, the same shall be subject to letter postage.

Publishers may be required to make Affidavit. This may be done to ascertain whether papers, &c. are deposited in the mails by such publishers, &c. may be demanded. If papers, &c. are so sent, to be sent unpaid to others than subscribers. Lists, or publisher refuses to take such oath, the of fender, on conviction, shall be fined $50, one-half to go to the informer.

Printed Matter not called for.

This may be disposed of, by regulation of the Postmaster-General, for the benefit of the Department; but the publisher shall be notified when the subscriber neglects or refuses for a month to take paper or periodical from the post-office.

Newspaper Deliveries by Route Agents. Newspapers, &c., not received from nor to be delivered at any post-office, may be received from and delivered to publishers and news agents at the car or steamer, on terms regulated by the Postmaster-General.

Compensation to Postmasters near Military Camps. masters, reasonable compensation and clerical If unusual business is performed by such postservice may be allowed.

Limit of Weight of Mailable Matter.
No package shall exceed 4 pounds.

Unpaid Postage or Bor-Rent.
This must be paid in all cases before delivery.

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