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.

" Ffrax Lovelace. " Ffort James, ye22d of Jan'y 1672."*

The ibllowing is a portion of the oath taken : " You do sweare by the Everlasting God, that you will truly and faithfully discharge the trust reposed in you as a Postmaster. . . . Neither directly nor indirectly detayne, conceale or open any Letters, Packetts, or other goods committed to your charge, but deliver, etc." This arrangement la.«ted but a short time. But this project for a mail between New York and the more northern British colonies -- a favorite scheme with Lovelace, -- it fell to the fortune of Governor Dongan, in 1685, to permanently establish. He had previously, however, conferred with the authorities " at home " and received their concurrence. The Duke of York's secretary. Sir John Werden, on the 27th of August, 1684, writes " As for setting up Post Houses along the coast from Carolina to Nova Scotia, it seems a very reasonable thing, and you may offer the privilege thereof to any undertakers for ye space of 3 or 5 yeares, by way of farme, reserving w' part of ye profitt you thinke fitt to the Duke (not less y° onetenth)." * The next February he fully determined upon the step, after consultation with Governor Treat, of Connecticut, and on the 2d of March ordered that, for the better correspondence between the colonies of America, a post-ofl5ce be established and that the rate for riding post be per mile three pence; for every single letter not above one hundred miles, three pence ; if more, proportionably.