The History of the Post Office Part 26

1660 to 1663.

Henry Bishopp. Rent, 21,500.

Bishopp surrendered his patent, which was for seven years, in 1663.

1663 to 1667.

(Being residue of Bishopp's term.) Daniel O'Neile. Rent, 21,500.

1667 to 1685.

Henry, Earl of Arlington.

Rent for later part of the term, 43,000.

Office managed, at first, by Sir John Bennet, Lord Arlington's brother, and afterwards by Colonel Roger Whitley.

1685 to 1689.

Lawrence Hyde, Earl of Rochester.

(For part of the time Lord Treasurer.)[101]

Office managed by Philip Frowde, Esq., under the t.i.tle of Governor.

[101] The concentration of the offices of Lord Treasurer and Postmaster-General in one person served to facilitate the transaction of Post Office business in a manner which those who have had experience of the present system will not be slow to understand. Take, for instance, the question of increasing a Post Office servant's salary. At the present time the Postmaster-General may be thoroughly convinced himself that an increase is called for, but--what is a very different matter--he has also to convince the Treasury. In 1686 the Postmaster-General's own conviction was enough. The following will serve as an ill.u.s.tration.

Thomas Cale, Postmaster of Bristol, applies for an increase of salary, and Frowde, the Governor, satisfies Rochester that an increase will be proper. Forthwith issues a doc.u.ment, of which the operative part is as follows:--"You are therefore of opinion that the said salary (50) is very small considering the expense the pet.i.tioner is att, and his extraordinary trouble, Bristoll being a greate Citty, but you say that you doe not think all the things he setts downe in the aforesaid accompt ought to be allowed him, the example being of very ill consequence, for (as you informe me) you doe not allow either candles, packthread, wax, ink, penns or paper to any of the Postmasters, nor office-rent, nor returnes of mony, you are therefore of opinion that tenn pounds per annum to his former salary of 50 will be a reasonable allowance, and the pet.i.tioner will be therewith satisfied, these are therefore to pray and require you" to raise his salary from 50 to 60 accordingly.

ROCHESTER.

WHITEHALL TREASURY CHAMBERS, _Dec. 13, 1686_.

July 1689 to March 1690.

Colonel John Wildman.

1690 to 1708.

Sir Robert Cotton, Knight, and Sir Thomas Frankland, Bart.

1708 to 1715.

Sir Thomas Frankland, Bart., and Sir John Evelyn, Bart.

1715 to 1721.

Charles, Lord Cornwallis, and James Craggs, Esq.

1721 to 1725.

Edward Carteret, Esq., and Galfridus Walpole, Esq.

1725 to 1732.

Edward Carteret, Esq., and Edward Harrison, Esq.

Christmas 1732.

Edward Carteret alone to Midsummer 1733.

1733 to 1739.

Edward Carteret, Esq., and Thomas, Lord Lovell, afterwards Earl of Leicester.

1739 to 1744.

Thomas, Lord Lovell, and Sir John Eyles, Bart.

1744 to 1745.

Thomas, Earl of Leicester (sometime Lord Lovell) alone.

1745 to 1758.

Thomas, Earl of Leicester, and Sir Everard Fawkener, Knight.

1758 to 1759.

Thomas, Earl of Leicester, alone.

June 2, 1759 to November 27, 1762.

William, Earl of Bessborough, and Hon. Robert Hampden.

November 27, 1762 to September 23, 1763.

John, Earl of Egmont, and Hon. Robert Hampden.

September 23, 1763 to July 19, 1765.

Thomas, Lord Hyde, and Hon. Robert Hampden.

July 19, 1765 to December 29, 1766.

William, Earl of Bessborough, and Thomas, Lord Grantham.

December 29, 1766 to April 26, 1768.

Wills, Earl of Hillsborough, and Francis, Lord Le Despencer.

April 26, 1768 to January 16, 1771.

John, Earl of Sandwich, and Francis, Lord Le Despencer.

January 16, 1771 to December 11, 1781.

Francis, Lord Le Despencer, and Right Hon. Henry Frederick Thynne, afterwards Carteret.

December 11, 1781 to January 24, 1782.

Right Hon. Henry Frederick Carteret (sometime Thynne) alone.

January 24 to April 25, 1782.

William, Viscount Barrington, and Right Hon. Henry Frederick Carteret.

April 25, 1782 to May 1, 1783.

Charles, Earl of Tankerville, and Right Hon. Henry Frederick Carteret.

May 1, 1783 to January 7, 1784.

Thomas, Lord Foley, and Right Hon. Henry Frederick Carteret.

January 7, 1784 to September 19, 1786.

Charles, Earl of Tankerville, and Right Hon. Henry Frederick Carteret. (Created Baron Carteret, January 29, 1784.)

September 19 to December 10, 1786.

Thomas, Earl of Clarendon, and Henry Frederick, Lord Carteret.

December 10, 1786 to July 6, 1787.

Henry Frederick, Lord Carteret, alone.