London and Its Environs Described, vol. 5 (of 6) / Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It

by Anonymous

At length, upon the union of the kingdoms of England and Scotland, a General Post Office was established by act of parliament in the year 1710, not only for the united kingdom of Great Britain, but likewise for that of Ireland, and her Majesty’s plantations in North America and the West Indies.

The office of Post Master is at present under the direction of two Commissioners who have 2000l. per annum, and are assisted by a Secretary of 200l. a year, who has four Clerks, two of 60l. a year, one of 50l. and one of 30l.

The other officers under the direction of the Post Master General are, a Receiver General, who has 300l. per annum, under whom are two clerks, who have 50l. a year each.

An Accomptant General who has 300l. per annum, and has a Deputy of 90l. a year, and three Clerks who have 50l. a year each.

A Comptroller of the inland office who has 200l. a year, and has a Deputy of 90l. a year. A Solicitor to the post office who has 200l. a year; a Resident Surveyor, who has 300l. a year; and two Inspectors of the mis-sent letters who have 100l. a year each.

Six Clerks of the roads, viz. Chester, 100l. per annum; Assistant, 60l. West, 60l. and Assistant, 60l. North, 60l. a year, and Assistant, 60l. Bristol, 60l. a year, and Assistant 60l. Yarmouth, 60l. a year, and Assistant, 60l. Kent, 60l. a year, and Assistant, 50l. Notwithstanding the smallness of these salaries; the perquisite of franking news papers, &c. into the country renders the profits of the Clerks of the roads very considerable.

A Court Post who has 2l. a day; and a deliverer of the letters to the House of Commons, who has 6s. 8d. a day.

There is also a Clerk of the by-nights, who has 60l. a year, and his Assistant, 60l. Ten sorters, seven of whom have 50l. a year, and three 40l. a year each, seven, supernumerary sorters, three at 30l. and four at 25l. each. A window man and alphabet keeper, who has 60l. a year; and several other officers and servants, among whom are sixty-seven letter carriers at 11s. a week.

In the foreign office is a Comptroller, who has 150l. a year; an alphabet keeper, who has 100l. per annum, a Secretary who has 50l. a year; and six Clerks, five of whom have 50l. a year each, and one 40l. a year.

Rates for carrying Letters by the Post, to any part of Great Britain and Ireland.