The Present State of London, Treatise · Chapter 5 · Section 3 · Part 16
Of the PENNY-POST.
THis Ingenious Ʋndertaking being ſo extraordinary uſeful in the facilitating of Commerce and mutual Correſpondence, and conſequently very ſerviceable to Traders, &c. ſhall be briefly handled; and, I hope, that what proceeds from me, who am no intereſſed Perſon, will be reſented Candidly, and Examined, as to the Argumentative part, according to the Solidity and Strength of the Reaſons produced.
I have heard this Undertaking diſparaged by ſome Cenſorious Perſons, and have examined the Reaſons, with the quality of the Objectors, and have found it all along oppoſed by none but the Ignorant, or ſuch as preferred ſome particular Ends, before Publick Utility. To my knowledge I never ſaw nor correſponded directly nor indirectly with any of the Undertakers, till being very deſirous to inſert this Affair of the Penny-Post in this Book for Publick Information, I made an Addreſs to one of the Gentlemen concern'd, who Courteouſly ſupply'd me with ſome particular Informations which I wanted, and for which I am beholding to him. This I ſpeak, to ſatisfie the Objectors that I do voluntarily, and not by any inducement of theirs mention this Affair, which, in my opinion, is ſo far from being a prejudice, that the City, as well as the whole Nation, is beholding to them for their Ingenious Contrivance, and their Conſtancy and Generoſity in minding the Publick Good ſo much as they have done; for 'tis certain that they have been at very great Expence to hold it up, under the Diſcouragements that ſome Perſons have thrown upon them, and the neceſſary Charge to ſupport it is yet very conſiderable. But to be more particular:
1. I will give ſome Hints of what this Undertaking is in Point of Practice.
2. Its general and particular Uſefulneſs.
3. I will conſider an Objection or two.
1. What I can ſay of this Undertaking in Point of Practice, is briefly what follows, only I would premiſe a few words as my opinion, and the opinion of impartial Perſons of my acquaintance, as to the thing in general.
This uſeful Invention is little more than a year old, being begun in April 1680. The chief Undertaker that introduc'd it into Practice, is one Mr. William Dockwra Merchant, a Native and Citizen of London, formerly one of His Majeſties Sub-Searchers in the Cuſtom-Houſe of London, as in the Liſt of thoſe Officers appears. A Perſon, whoſe approved Reputation for Induſtry and Fidelity was well known to all for above ten years in that Office: And to whom the Publick is obliged, he having, with his Partners, ſpent much time, and a great Sum of money, to bring this Undertaking on foot, wherein they encounter'd with no ſmall Difficulties, not only by Affronts and Indignities from the Vulgar ſort, who ſeldom weigh any Publick or Generous Deſigns, but at the Beam of Little, Selfiſh, By-Ends, but alſo by more dangerous Attaques; for there have been Attempts made, by ſome Perſons, to perſuade his Royal Highneſs the Duke of York, that it intrench'd upon the General Poſt-Office, and damnifi'd it; whereupon many Actions were brought, and a chargeable Suit of Law follow'd: But, queſtionleſs, the Duke is better inform'd now; for it is moſt certain, that this does much further the Revenue of the Grand Poſt-Office, and is an univerſal Benefit to all the Inhabitants of theſe Parts: ſo that whoever goes about to deprive the City of ſo uſeful a thing, deſerves no thanks from the Duke, nor any Body elſe, but to be Noted as an Enemy to Publick and Ingenious Inventions.
It is with all Humility ſubmitted to the Conſideration of all worthy Citizens that happen to peruſe this ſmall Tract, that it becomes not the Honour of the City to ſuffer any of its Ingenious Natives, eſpecially Perſons who have lived and do live in good Faſhion and Repute, to ſink under the carrying on of an Undertaking ſo advantageous not only to the Publick, but alſo to private Perſons, ſince their induſtrious Service to their Generation deſerves encouragement from their Fellow-Citizens, and all others, viz.
(1.) To diſcountenance petty Perſons that would, for the profit of running of Errands, rob the Community (if they could) of this more than ordinary convenience for ſafe, cheap, and neceſſary Diſpatches.
(2.) To reject any INTRUDER that may attempt to ſet up another Penny-Post; becauſe, if the thing be hereafter profitable, all the Reaſon and Equity in the world will plead for the Inventers, viz. that they ought to reap the Benefit. And it is a Note of Conſideration, That Mr. Dockwra has a numerous Family of eight young Children; who being forſaken by ſome others ſoon after it began, and left to ſhift for himſelf, carried on this Undertaking ſingly, for above half a year at his own proper charge and hazard, againſt all the Difficulties, Oppoſitions and Diſcouragements that attended it, though now he hath ſeveral Citizens in partnerſhip with him. But I am truly informed, that the Income does not yet amount to three fourths of the neceſſary Charge to ſupport it; therefore I am perſuaded that this Honourable City will employ the Inventers, rather than an Invader, if ever any ſuch ſhould be; And that 'tis much below ſuch a Prince as his Royal Highneſs is, to deſire the Ruine of ſuch a Family.
I am the more large upon this Particular, becauſe it would be a general Diſcouragement to the Contrivers of uſeful and profitable Inventions, if others ſhould be encouraged to reap the Crop of what they with ſo much charge and labor have ſown.