Cheap Postage

"Cheap Postage" by Joshua Leavitt is a political pamphlet written in the mid-19th century. The work discusses postal reform in Great Britain and the United States, advocating specifically for the implementation of a low, uniform postage system to alleviate the financial burdens of communication on the populace. It highlights the experiences and consequences of cheaper postal rates in Britain as a model for reform, arguing that similar changes could vastly benefit American society. At the start of the pamphlet, Leavitt discusses the history and significance of postal reform, spotlighting the successes experienced in Great Britain since the introduction of cheap postage. He references various letters and reports praising the increased correspondence and economic advantages of the new system, as well as expressing the urgency of adopting similar reforms within the United States to enhance communication and social effectiveness. Leavitt emphasizes the failures of the American postal system, particularly the need for systemic change to suppress private mail and illegal letter-carrying services that have emerged due to high postage rates.