“That they cause a vast amount of correspondence, mercantile as well as domestic, to be actually suppressed, thus crippling trade and preventing friendly intercourse.
“That if postage were reduced to one penny the revenue would be more likely to gain than to suffer.
“That the present average cost to the Post Office of distributing letters is ¾d. each, and that this cost would be greatly reduced under the proposed arrangements.
“That the cost to the Post Office is frequently greater for short distances of six or eight miles than for long distances of two or three hundred miles; thus showing the unfairness of the present varying charges.
“And that the partial reductions in postage rates hitherto made have, after a short time, invariably benefited the revenue.
“I have taken the liberty of enclosing a short abstract of the Report of the Select Committee on Postage, which has been drawn up by the Mercantile Committee, as well as some ‘Facts and Estimates as to the Increase of Letters,’ prepared by myself, to which I respectfully solicit your Grace’s attention.
“The boldness, yet safety of the proposed change, its simplicity, and its tendency to extend commerce, science, and education, will, I confidently hope, recommend it to your Grace’s favourable consideration.
“I have, &c.,
“Rowland Hill.
“To His Grace the Duke of Wellington, &c., &c., &c.”