An Act to Establish the Post Office and Post Roads within the United States, 1794. Eleven-page printed document bound by string from the Third Congress of the United States, first three pages list specific roads to be used, subsequent sections provide for a Postmaster General and his responsibilities and powers, including stipulation that no ship arriving at a U.S. port can unload cargo until after the mails have been delivered to the postmaster, the document also establishes rates for the 2c ship fee, newspaper rate, also exempts postmasters from military duty, printed "Approved-May the eighth 1794 Go. Washington, President of the United States", few light folds but really in a remarkable state of preservation

VERY FINE. A RARE AND DESIRABLE EXAMPLE OF THE 1794 ACT TO PERMANENTLY ESTABLISH A POST OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES.

In 1794, with passage of the act documented here, Congress permanently established the United States post office. Prior to this act, the postmaster had to go before each Congress to gain authorization to continue the service. Original printings of this historic postal legislation are exceedingly scarce, and of the greatest interest to postal history collectors.

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables