[61] The Secretary to the Treasury. “Mr. Hayter and I think very much alike on Post Office matters, and we consequently get on swimmingly.”—Sir R. Hill’s Journal, Sept. 6, 1849.—Ed.
[62] The following extracts from Sir R. Hill’s Journal show how much the question had occupied his attention:—
“November 26th, 1847.—I advised the Postmaster-General steadily to oppose a delivery of letters in London on the Sunday, being convinced that the large majority is opposed thereto.”
“May 23rd, 1848.—Suggested to the Postmaster-General the expediency of putting a stop to the agitation about the ‘Lord’s Day’by forthwith doing all that is desirable, viz., closing the Offices throughout the country for Money Order business, and for the receipt of money-paid letters, and at the same time arranging for the transit of the ‘forward letters’through London on Sunday morning, adding that in my opinion the latter measure would tend on the whole to the observance of the Sabbath, as many letters would then be written and posted on the Saturday which are now written and posted on Sunday.”
“Oct. 19th.—On my recommendation the Postmaster-General has decided, subject to the sanction of the Treasury, to put an end to the transaction of Money Order business on the Sunday throughout England and Wales.”
“Nov. 23rd.—The Treasury has sanctioned the discontinuance of Money Order business on the Sunday, and I propose to commence with the new year.”
“Dec. 7th.—The Postmaster-General has sanctioned a minute of mine proposing that the opinion of the Surveyors shall be taken as to the discontinuance of ordinary Post Office business from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Sunday, with the exception of the despatch and delivery of mails.”
“Jan. 23rd, 1849.—I think I have fully established the position that to transmit the ‘forward letters’through London on the Sunday will not only be a great convenience to the public, but will actually diminish Sunday work on the part of the public and on that of the department.”
“Feb. 15th.—The Treasury assents to the proposed discontinuance of Money Order business on the Sunday in Ireland and Scotland, which was submitted for their sanction a short time since.”—Ed.
[63] “Oct. 26th.—Roebuck has written to the Postmaster-General accusing the postmaster at —— of agitating against the measure, and enclosing a hand-bill signed by the postmaster which fully establishes the charge.”—Sir R. Hill’s Journal.—Ed.