The Early History of the Colonial Post-Office

city of New York, who was exempt only from public services. Any persons or "body politick or corporate others than the P. M. Gen. aforesaid" presuming to "carry, recarry or deliver letters for hire, other than as before excepted, or to set up or imploy any foot-post, horse-post or pacquet boat whatsoever" for the carrying of letters or pacquets, or providing "horses and furniture for the horses of any through posts, or persons riding post with a guide and horn," should forfeit L100 current money, one-half going to the governor and the other half to the postmaster-general. All letters and pacquets brought by ship or vessel were to be delivered to the postmaster of New York or to his servants, provided "that no letters going up or coming down Hudson's river and going to or from Long Island shall be carried to the post-office, everything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding," this clause, together with that regarding exemption from public service and excise, being amendments by the council to the bi