Mails. -- There seems not to be any indication of a postal communication between New York and any point in this county earlier than 1672. Of course, letters were passing by private conveyance from the very first of the settlements. Expressions showing this occur again and again in the public documents. But in the year mentioned Governor Lovelace authorized a messenger or post to set forth from the city of New York monthly, " and thence to travail to Boston, from whence within that month he shall return again to this city." * This arrangement began

1 In the Post Bo!/ of Fell., ITGG, the society awarded the premium to Caleb Peil, of Pelham llaiiar, for largest and best cheese, weighing 82% lbs., and we are informed afterward that the great cheese which gained the premium was sold at vendue for eight pence per pound.

-N. y. Col. Mane., vii. 7, p. 012 (1764).

sProt. Epis. Hist. Col., lSo7, p. 103. < Baird's Rye, p. 72.

on the 1st of Januarj', and letters or small portable goods were to be carefully carried to " Hartford, Boston, or any other points on the road," " by a sworn messenger and post purposely imployed in that Affayre," " All persons paying the Post before the Bag be sealed up." The postman was also directed to allow passengers to accompany him. In the " Instructions for the Postman " are the following : " You are to comport yourself with all sobriety and civility to those that shall intrust, and not exact on them for the prices, both of Letters and Pacquets ; " "you are likewise to advise where the most commodious place will be to leave the Letters out of your road, which, when having it once well fixt, you are not only to leave the Letters there, but at your return to call for answers and leave a publication of your Resolution, the w*^" you must cause to be disperst to all parts, that so all may know when and where to leave their lettei-s." ..." You shall doe well to provide yor sclfe of a spare Horse, good Port Mantle, that soe neither letters nor Pacquets receive any damage under your hands.