At least twelve and a half percent…
1828 CE to 1839 CE
Fundamentally, the postal system is mismanaged, wasteful, expensive and slow.
It has become inadequate for the needs of an expanding commercial and industrial nation.
There is a well-known story, probably apocryphal, about how Rowland Hill gained an interest in reforming the postal system; he apparently noticed a young woman too poor to redeem a letter sent to her by her fiancé.
At this time, letters were normally paid for by the recipient, not the sender.
The recipient can simply refuse delivery.
Frauds are commonplace; for example, coded information can appear on the cover of the letter; the recipient will examine the cover to gain the information, and then refuse delivery to avoid payment.
Each individual letter has to be logged.
In addition, postal rates are complex, depending on the distance and the number of sheets in the letter.
Richard Cobden and John Ramsey McCulloch, both advocates of free trade, attack the policies of privilege and protection of the Tory government.
McCulloch, in 1833, advances the view that "nothing contributes more to facilitate commerce than the safe, speedy and cheap conveyance of letters."
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