To the Right honourable, the council of State: And to the honourable Committee, by them appointed in the Case of the postmasters.  
The Humble Petition of the postmasters of the several Roads of England.  
Showeth,  
THat with all readiness they have from time to time, and at all times with much care and pains, faithfully, not only carried and recarried all Letters and Packets belonging to the State at usual times in their Weekly mails sent forth, by which they have saved the State 6000. l. per Annum; but have also with the like diligence carried all extraordinary Packets and Dispatches amounting to a very great Number, and a very considerable Charge, as may appear by the testimonials of some here present: For all which Service we acknowledge ourselves to be by Mr. Attorney General fully satisfied.  
We therefore humbly pray, that your honours will be pleased so to own us in our employment and present Station, and by all Lawful means so to assist us, That we in our Estates may not be ruined, Your honour's great Service aforesaid neglected, which we Your Servants in the behalf of ourselves, and all the rest of the postmasters, do promise to our utmost power, still to continue faithfully, and carefully to perform, and allow unto the people the same ease in their Rates of Letters, which is by others declared, And shall for your honour's peace and happiness  
March, 24. 1652. always as in Duty bound, pray &c.  
Signed by Warrant, and on the behalf of all the postmasters of the Several Roads of England. 

Plymouth and Portsmouth Roads.  
Samuel Northcot, Postmaster at Plymouth.  
Andrew Raddon, Postmaster at Exon.  
Francis pike, postmaster at Crewkern.  
Robert Ring, postmaster at Salisbury.  
Nathaniel Hole, postmaster at Hartlerow.   

Bristol and Southwales Roads.  
John Lewin, postmaster at Bristol.  
Onesiphorus Tapp, postmaster at Marlebrough.  
John Donn, postmaster at Gloucester.  
David Bayley, postmaster at Swansey.   

Chester Road.  
Robert Girdler, postmaster at Birmigham,  
Robert King, postmaster at Coleshill.  
Richard Farmar, postmaster at Tossiter.  
George Parker, postmaster at Chester.  
George Gleave, postmaster at Namptwitch.   

Northern Roads.  
Ralph Salkeld, postmaster at Berwick.  
Thomas Errington, Postmaster at Newcastle,  
Robert Morley, postmaster at Tadcaster.  
William Collins, postmaster at Stamford.     

THe council having Read the Petition of the postmasters of the several Roads of England, and other Papers presented, and taken into Consideration how Requisite it is for the better carrying on, and management of the Affairs of the commonwealth, and especially necessary in the present state of Things, That the inland Post should be in a settled Condition and a posture of Readiness to Expedite it, and give Dispatch unto the mails of Letters and other Missives of public Concernment the Nature of which, doth frequently Require the Speediest Conveyance that is possible; and finding the due settling and executing of this Office to be of such Consequence and Concernment to the Service of the commonwealth, as doth Require the special Care and inspection of the State thereunto, and a fit Person in whom they can Confide, for the Execution thereof they have thought fit to Recommend and intrust the management of it unto you: These are therefore to Authorize and Require you, To Receive and take upon you the Charge and Care thereof, and to Transact and Execute the same according to such Orders as have been formerly made by the council on that behalf: And for the better Enabling of you to effect and perform the same according to the Trust reposed in you, all Officers, both Civil and Military, are hereby Required to be Aiding and Assisting unto you, or such postmasters or Agents as shall be employed under you in the said Post-Office upon all Occasion, wherein the Execution of the same may be the better furthered and expedited.  
Given at the council of State at Whitehall, this Thirtieth day of March, 1653.  
To Edmund Prideaux Esquire, attorney General for the commonwealth.  
Signed in the Name and by Order of the council of State appointed by Authority of Parliament. Dennis Bond, President. Ex. John Thurloe Clerk of the council.