Lawyer, journalist, and politician (1789-1869) who served as postmaster general under Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. ALS signed “Amos Kendall, Postmaster General of the United States of America,” one page, 8 x 10, June 10, 1839. Draft of a letter introducing George Plitt, the Post Office Department special agent sent to Europe to examine the “experience and improvements” in Great Britain’s and continental post office organizations, with special attention to finances. Plitt’s report helped model the modern, centralized US post office and postal service.
In part: "George Plit, Esquire, the bearer hereof, is a Special Agent of this Department, authorized and instructed to visit Europe for the purpose of promising information relative to the organization, laws, regulations and customs of the Post Office establishment in the countries he may visit, and making arrangements for the interchange of documents, statements and reports hereafter, to the end that the United States and the enlightened nations of the east may profit by the experience and improvements of each other." In fine condition, with short splits to fold ends and a felt tip mark to upper left.
Kendall saw the post office as revenue generating, while Great Britain, under Rowland Hill’s model, saw the 'penny post' as having broader social implications. This letter was written about the time of the famous Tobias Watkins embezzlement trial that thrust Kendall into the spotlight of the Jacksonian drama. A unique letter of philatelic interest.
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