Arago: 1847 Federal Postage Stamp Correspondence

Hatch says he always carries his own stamps on his travels, but that the Williamsport postmaster tells him that, since he has no stamps for sale, he tears off any stamps on letters deposited there and marks the postage due from the recipient. He justifies this action on the ground that "he would otherwise be charged with the postage which he has not received." He hopes that the postmaster general will instruct all postmasters in their duty to recognize the stamps, regardless where acquired.