[41] The leases of seven out of the nine branches were cancelled in 1716; and those of the other two the postmasters-general expressed their intention of cancelling with as little delay as possible. And yet as regards one of the number, viz. the Chichester branch, there is reason to doubt whether it did not survive until the year 1769.
[42] Here are two letters they wrote:—
To Mr. Culvert.
Nov. 1, 1714.
Sir—As the three inclosed letters are directed to you in several places we have reason to think that some persons have presumed to take the liberty of your name. This practice is so great an abuse upon this office, and so very prejudicial to His Majesty's revenue, that we must desire you'll be pleased to send such letters inclosed that don't belong to you to the office to be charged; and we are very well assured you'll discourage the like practice for the future.
—We are, sir, your most humble servants,
T. Frankland.
J. Evelyn.
To Sir Richard Grosvenor, Bart.
April 29, 1715.
Sir—Having observed a letter directed to the Rev. Mr. Harwood at Billingsgate that arrived here yesterday in an Irish mail frank't with your name in Ireland, and knowing that you are in England, we have reason to think that somebody in that kingdom has taken the liberty of signing your name to the prejudice of His Majesty's revenue, which is a practice that we are convinced you will discourage, and it is in order thereunto that you have this trouble from your most humble servants,
Cornwallis.
James Craggs.
[43] A strongly-worded petition on the subject was presented to Parliament only a year or two after the Restoration. This petition, after calling the charge an "abuse and extortion," goes on to say that "it cannot be imagined the Parliament should either so far forget themselves, or the countrey for which they served, or the necessary and convenient correspondence, as well as the trade of His Majesties dominions, as to put them upon worse and harder tearms than foreigners, or foreign trade, to the prejudice of the kingdom...."
[44] Historical Manuscripts Commission, Appendix to Eleventh Report, Part iv. pp. 233, 234.
[45] British Curiosities in Art and Nature, likewise an Account of the Posts, Markets, and Fair-Towns, 1728.
[46] The book was afterwards published—The Gentleman's Pocket-Farrier, by Doctor Henry Bracken of Lancaster, 1735.