| The Packet Boats from England to America and from France to |
| For the more convenient Receipt of the respective Postages it is |
| That all Letters [from any Part of Great Britain or Ireland for |
| In like manner it may be required that all Letters from any Part |
Thus these Letters will have no Postage to be demanded on them
when they arrive in America but the Pacquet Postage only.
It is supposed that a similar Regulation will take place in
America, and that the Postages from different Parts of that
Continent being all paid to New York, there will be only the
Pacquet Postage charg’d upon them when they arrive at London or
Paris.
As there may probably arrive a Number of Letters for England by
the French Pacquet Boats nearly equal to that of Letters for
France by the English Pacquet Boats, it is proposed to exchange
them without Account, leaving the respective Offices in France and
England to charge and receive the Pacquet Postage together with
the Postage between London and Paris.
Or Accounts may be kept of the Letters so exchanged, and the
Ballance paid quarterly as it shall become due.
Passy, 9 Oct. 1783.
I have not as yet been able to settle any thing in Consequence
of the Power you have vested me with. The Person I am to treat
with is in the Country but is expected soon to be in Town. I am
told he is likewise authorized to treat with me relative to the
Arrangement necessary between America and french Post Offices. And
that he has already drawn out a Plan of Agreement for that
purpose. I have likewise done so with regard to the Arrangement
you propose. Inclosed I send you a Copy of it; if you chuse any
Alterations to be made in it let me know it as early as possible.
I have just now received your Favour of the 3d Inst and return
you many Thanks for your kind Care of the Letter I sent you for
the President of Congress. I am, Dear Sir, with great Truth and
Esteem, Your most obedient and most humble Servant.
My Grandson has had some Conversation on the Subject with the
Entreprenneur of the French Pacquet boats, who thought some
Difficulties might arise if it was settled as you propose “That
all Letters from any Part of America directed to England should go
by the English Paquet boats unless Via France was put on the Cover
and so vice versa”. These Words, best might be added by Persons
interrested in the respective Boats and that the Proposal did not
stipulate for Letters directed out of France and England as for
Hambourgh &ca. He thought it would be better to agree that all
Letters that arrived at N. York from any Part of the United
States, from the 1st to the 15th of each Month, should go by the
French Boats—and those that arrived from the 15th to the End of
the Month should go by the English Boats, and so settle the
Departure of the respective Boats from New York Accordingly. What
is your Opinion of this?