Arago: 1847 Federal Postage Stamp Correspondence

The postmaster complains about pen-and-ink cancels being removed so that the stamps can be used again. However, in one breath he says that he has only seen one letter with stamps attached, and in the next says "there has been several stamps received that the cross upon them, the distinguish that they had been in use, were so lightly done that a person could not have discovered it without a close examination . . . ."

He further says there has been no call for stamps at his office, but if it is the wish of the Post Office Department, he will accept and use them.

The docketing on this letter says, "P.M. sends a lecture on the disadvantages of postage stamps."