CHAPTER IX

Condition of the Post Office in Scotland at the time of the Union-- Inaction of the English Post Office--Charles Povey--William Lowndes-- Diversion of Postage from the Crown to the Public--Postage Rates increased--Electoral Disabilities--Restrictions on the common Carrier-- Modification of the Penny Post--Post-horses--Franking--Illicit Traffic in Letters--Treasury Inconsistency--Post Office Farmers converted into Managers--Treaty with France--Matthew Prior--Single and Double Letters-- Change of Postmasters-General--Disagreements with Merchants--Twopenny Post--Comparative Statement of Revenue--Gross and Net Revenue confounded 117