From Samuel Potts (unpublished)
Paris Aug. 15: 1783
Dear Sir

In consequence of the conversation I had the honour of having with your Excellency last Wednesday, I beg leave to submit my thoughts to your consideration on the arrangements necessary to take place between the Post Offices of England and America in respect to the mode of establishing a regular correspondence with the two Countries and if they should meet with your Idea on the Subject, it will Give me the highest pleasure to be the means of conveying to England for the information of His Majestys Postmaster General any regulation which you may deem essential towards promoting a permanent intercourse with Great Britain and the United States—in the first place, as the English Packet Boats are prohibited from carrying of any sort of merchandise, I presume they will be allowed the same priviledges in America as they now enjoy under the British Government. Secondly as I beleive its intended an Agent shall be appointed by the Postmaster General to reside at New York, the Mail of course on the arrival of the Packet will be carried to him, he then will deliver it imediately to the proper Officer at the Post Office at New York, who will take charge of the Letters, and he must account with the Agent for the Amount of the Postage thereof—this account to be settled at least once in every three Months and those Letters which have not been delivered either for want of proper direction or that the Parties cannot be found shall be received as Cash in the said Account. Thirdly as the Correspondents in England have an Option of forwarding their letters either with paying the Inland Packet Postage or not, I am of opinion the same mode should be adopted in America as the fewer restraints there are the more beneficial to commerce, and that the American postage may be accounted for, I propose that the Agent make himself answerable for the Amount and it may be brought forward in discharge of the postage of letters received from England, but there must be the same proviso in regard to the American returned Letters as to those above mentioned sent by the Packets—these are I think the general heads necessary for the arrangement, if you should think proper to establish others I shall be very happy to attend you on the subject. I have the honour to be with much truth and Respect Your Excellencys Most Faithful and Most Obedient and Most Humble servant

Sam Potts

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