5 p.m. on Saturday, the
23rd January, 1904. One hundred and fifty bags were deposited at
Bristol. The New York direct mails for the North went on by the 7.40
p.m. (G.W.) and 7.55 p.m. (Mid.) trains ex Bristol Station. The direct
Plymouth and Bristol service is still being continued.

In an Instruction Book relating to "Ship Letter" Duty which was in use
in the Bristol Post Office so far back as 1833, there are many
interesting documents. The following is a list:--(1) Ship Letters,
Notice, G.P.O., July, 1833. (2) Notice to all Masters and Commanders of
Ships arriving from abroad; Signed, Francis Freeling, Secretary G.P.O.,
June, 1835. (3) Letter from Francis Freeling to G. Huddlestone, 9th
October, 1835, _re_ letters forwarded by the ship "Paragon" from the
Port of Bristol. (4) Letter from Ship Letter Office, London, to
Postmaster of Bristol _re_ Inland prepaid rate and Captain's gratuity
(18th Sept., 1843). (5) Correspondence from G. Huddlestone (26th July,
1838) _re_ Process of Receipt of Ship Letters, and making up of the
mails; also Process of Receipt and Distribution of Ship Letters Inward.
(6) Notice to the Public and Instructions to all Postmasters; signed
W.L. Maberly, Secretary G.P.O., 2nd September, 1840. (7) Receipt from
Postmaster of Bristol for 1 packet directed "O.H.M.S. Ship Mail; per
'Victory'" from Bristol to Cork (Sept. 17th, 1841). (8) Letter
containing Solicitor's opinion that Master of steam vessel cannot be
compelled to sign receipt Ship Letter; signed Jas. Campbell (4th
October, 1841). (9) Notice to Postmasters; signed W.L. Maberly,
Secretary G.P.O., June, 1845. (10) Circular of Instructions; signed
Rowland Hill, G.P.O., 4th October, 1845. (11) Notice to the Commanders
of Ships arriving from Foreign Ports; signed W.L. Maberly, Secretary
G.P.O., June, 1845. (12) Circular of Instructions; signed Rowland Hill,
Secretary G.P.O., July, 1855. (13) Circular of Instructions to
Postmasters at the Outports; signed Rowland Hill, Secretary G.P.O., 13th
August, 1855. (14) Circular of Instructions; signed Rowland Hill,
Secretary G.P.O., 29th January, 1857. (15) Reduction of the Ship Letter
Rate of Postage; signed Rowland Hill, Secretary G.P.O., 26th December,
1857. (16) Circular of Instructions; signed Rowland Hill, Secretary
G.P.O., January 14th, 1858. (17) Instructions; signed Rowland Hill,
Secretary G.P.O., 27th March, 1863. (18) _Re_ Letters to Portugal;
signed Geo. Dumeldenger, for Sub. Con., 7th March, 187