CHAPTER XII

Palmer's Plan--Objections--First Mail-coach--Post-coach--Increase in Rates of Postage--Restrictions upon Franking--Obstruction alleged-- Anthony Todd--Transitional Period--Stages--Earlier Closing of the General Post Office--Emoluments from Bell Ringing--Internal Dissensions-- Tankerville's Dismissal--Corruption--Surveyors--Conditions of Palmer's Appointment--Abuses--Fees and Perquisites--Expresses--Registration-- Palmer's Improvements--Packet Service--Smuggling--Flagitious Expenditure--Todd's Emoluments--Pitt's Indisposition to expose Abuses-- Lord Walsingham--Daniel Braithwaite--Essays in Cause of Economy--Milford Haven and Waterford Packets--Pitiable Condition of the Clerks of the Roads--The King's Coach--His Illness and Prayer for his Recovery-- Strange Treatment of Official Papers--George Chalmers--Palmer's Jealousy--Mail Guards--Creation of a Newspaper Office--Walsingham attempts to check Irregularities--His inveterate Habit of Scribbling-- Exposes an Attempt at Imposition--Curious Practice as regards the Delivery of Foreign Letters--Earl of Chesterfield--Insubordination on Palmer's Part--Appeal to Pitt--Charles Bonnor--Palmer's Suspension-- Chesterfield's Letter--Interview with Pitt--A Second Interview--Palmer's Dismissal--Bonnor's Promotion 208