atch may be had."[139] The rates of postage were as
follows:--

Every letter For distance not 3d.
not exceeding exceeding 80
one sheet English miles

Ditto two sheets " 6d.

Every pacquet " 12d. per ounce
of writs and weight.
deeds

Every letter Above distance 4-1/2d.
not exceeding of 80 English
one sheet miles

Ditto two sheets " 9d.

Every pacquet " 18d. per ounce.
of writs and
deeds

The rates established in the other colonies were similar but not
identical.

The new postal service under the authority of the patent was commenced
on the 1st May 1693. A post was set up from Portsmouth, New Hampshire,
to Boston, Saybrook, New York, Philadelphia, Maryland, and Virginia.
Five stages were fixed, and a rider was appointed to each stage. In
summer the service was performed weekly, and in winter fortnightly. At
the commencement, as may be readily understood, the conditions were
somewhat difficult.[140] But with the growth of population and commerce,
conditions improved. The service to the South was for many years subject
to general irregularity and temporary suspension, especially at times of
flood.

The Post Office in America has from its first establishment as a general
system, as distinguished from the merely local or municipal posts, had
to reckon with two factors which have been of great importance in
relation to all the main services--a vast extent of territory and a
sparse population. The rates were higher than those in operation in
England, but at first, and for many years, the revenue was insufficient
to defray the expenses. The finance of the American Post Office
consequently differed fundamentally from that of the English office.

Neale was required by the terms of his patent to render an account at
the end of three years of the receipts and expenditures of the American
post. His first account was not, however, rendered until 1698. It showed
that the expenses up to May 1697 were [L]3,817, and the receipts [L]1,457,
there being thus a loss of [L]2,360. The account was accompanied by a
statement prepared by Hamilton, explaining the great advantages to the
trade and commerce of the colonies, as well as to their security, which
the Post Office provided; showing how necessary i