R. HILL'S COLLEAGUE SETS UP "PAR. PRO." SYSTEM ALONGSIDE PAR...

Estimate

£110 - £150

R. HILL'S COLLEAGUE SETS UP "PAR. PRO." SYSTEM ALONGSIDE PARLIAMENTARY ENVS., ETC.; Retained contemporary 12 Feb. 1840 "Copy" of the urgent letter sent by "R. Gordon" (MP; Secretary to the Treasury) to the P.M.G. about new arrangements for OHMS rates for Parliamentary Proceedings, etc. This letter confirms that only “Par. Pro.” mail posted by Peers/M.P.’s at the Houses of Parliament was to be treated as Official Paid mail, whereas they had to pay postage from elsewhere; “…printed Bills and the Votes of the House [i.e. Par. Pro. Mail] should be paid and charged to the Public Expenses of the House, and be sent free of Charge to the Members at the House and [free of charge to] the Receiver when Posted at the House…”. Special “Par. Pro.” wrappers were produced for this soon afterwards. Gordon was probably also entrusted with devising the scheme for Parliamentary envelopes from 16 Jan. 1840. Plus 1817 ms letter from an M.P. to Freeling asking for 11s-11d postage claimed on a Petition to be cancelled. (2 items) Cross Reference: OFFICIAL MAIL, PARLIAMENTARY MAIL, POSTAL REFORMS, POSTAGE DUE MARKS