Bry. Square, 2d March, 1848.
My Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure to send you the copy of a paper I have prepared, at the request of Mr. Webb, of Boston, to show the progress of increase of the number of letters by the post-office here, since the reduction of the postage, and I hope it may induce your government to adopt the same course.
I am not aware of any reform, amongst the many reforms that I have promoted during the last forty years, that has had, and will have better results towards the improvement of this country, morally, socially and commercially.
I wish as much as possible that the communication by letters, newspapers and pamphlets, should pass between the United States and Great Britain as between Great Britain and Ireland, as the intercommunication of knowledge and kindly feelings must be the result, tending to the promotion of friendly intercourse, and to maintain peace, so desirable to all countries.
Any further information on this subject shall be freely and with pleasure supplied by, yours, sincerely,
(Signed) JOSEPH HUME.
His Excellency George Bancroft.
MR. HUME'S TABLE.
Estimate of the number of chargeable Letters delivered in the United Kingdom in each year, from 1839 to 1847.[1]