Report of the Committee on Establishing a Post-Office

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Wednesday, July 26, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

Agreeable to the Order of yesterday, the Congress resumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on the Post-Office; which being debated by paragraphs, was agreed to, as follows:

That a Postmaster General be appointed for the United Colonies, who shall hold his office at Philadelphia, and shall be allowed a salary of one thousand Dollars per annum for himself, and three hundred and forty Dollars per annum for a Secretary and Comptroller; with power to appoint such and so many Deputies as to him may seem proper and necessary.

That a line of Posts be appointed under the direction of the Postmaster General, from Falmouth in New-England to Savannah in Georgia, with as many cross-posts as he shall think fit.

That the allowance to the Deputies in lieu of salary and all contingent expenses, shall be twenty per centum on the sums they collect and pay into the General Post-Office annually, when the whole is under or not exceeding one thousand Dollars; and ten per centum for all sums above one thousand Dollars a year.

That the rates of Postage shall be twenty per cent˙ less than those appointed by act of Parliament.

That the several Deputies account quarterly with the General Post-Office, and the Postmaster General annually with the Continental Treasurers, when he shall pay into the receipt of the said Treasurers the profits of the Post-Office; and if the necessary expense of this establishment should exceed the produce of it, the deficiency shall be made good by the United Colonies, and paid to the Postmaster General by the Continental Treasurers.

On motion made, Resolved, That it Te recommended to the Postmaster General to establish a weekly post to South-Carolina.

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That it be left to the Postmaster General to appoint a Secretary and Comptroller.

The Congress then proceeded to the election of a Post-master General for one year, and until another is appointed by a future Congress: when Benjamin Franklin, esq˙, was unanimously chosen.

Adjourned till to morrow, at eight o' clock.