The Beginnings of Our Great Postal System

The quaint and simple instructions issued by Gov.
Lovelace in 1672 for the guidance of the post masters
in the early colonial days contrast strikingly with the volu¬
minous laws and regulations required for the conduct of
our immense postal business of today. It will be ob¬
served that the post masters had other duties to perform
besides merely caring for the pacquets and letters which
came into their jurisdiction.

Instructions for Ye Post Mastr

(Gen. Entries iii., 252, Sec. Office, Albany.)

In the first place, you are to take yor oath of ffidelity
wch the Secretary shall administer to you; your duty
as to the Generall is included in that Oath.

Next, you are to comport yor selfe wth all sobriety
and civility to those that shall intrust you, and not exact
on them for the prices both of Letter and Pacquetts.

You are principally to apply yor selfe to the Gover¬
nors, especially Governor Winthrop, from whom you
shall receive the best Direction how to forme ye best
Poast Road.

You are likewise to advise where the most commod¬
ious place will be to leave all the by-Letters out of your
Road, which, when having it once well fixt, you are not
only to leave the Letters there, but at your returne to call
for answers, and leave a Publication of your Resolu¬
tions, the wch you must cause to bee disperst to all
parts, that soe all may know when and where to leave
their Letters.

You are to giye mee an Acct of your negotiation at
this time to the end of May; be satisfied of all your pro¬
ceedings, and bee able to assist you if occasion shall
require.

When you think it requisite, you are to marke some
Trees that shall direct Passengers the best way, and
to fixe certaine Houses for your Severall Stages both
to bait and lodge at.

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