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stated to reside, accompanied by interrogatories to be propounded to such witnesses, which said commission, when executed, shall be returned, together with the examinations to be taken in virtue thereof, by mail, free of postage, to the office of the said commissioner.

. And be it further enacted, That, in all adjudications for the said commissioner upon the claims above-mentioned, whether such judgment be in favour of, or adverse to, the claim of the applicant, the same shall be entered by his clerk in a book to be provided for that purpose: And when such judgment shall be in favour of such claim, shall entitle the claimant, or his legal representative, upon the production of a copy of such judgment, duly certified by the clerk of said commissioner, to payment of the amount thereof at the treasury of the United States.

. And be it further enacted, That no claim authorized by this act shall be allowed or paid, unless the same shall be exhibited within two years from the passing hereof.

March 25, 1816.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That so much of the act, entitled “,” as lays a duty on household furniture, and on watches kept for use, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, and in succeeding years, shall be, and the same is hereby repealed.

March 25, 1816.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, from and after the first day of May next, the following rates of postage be charged upon all letters and packets, (excepting such as are now excepted by law,) conveyed by the posts of the United States, viz:

For every letter composed of a single sheet of paper, conveyed not exceeding thirty miles, six cents; over thirty and not exceeding eighty, ten cents; over eighty and not exceeding one hundred and fifty, twelve and a half cents; over one hundred and fifty and not exceeding four hundred, eighteen and a half cents; over four hundred miles, twenty-five cents; and for every double letter, or letter composed of two pieces of paper, double those rates; and for every triple letter, or one composed of three pieces of paper, triple those rates; and for every packet composed of four or more pieces of paper, or one or more articles, and weighing ane ounce avoirdupois, quadruple those rates: and in that proportion for all greater weights: Provided, That no packet of letter conveyed by the water mails shall be charged with more than quadruple postage, unless the same shall contain more than four distinct letters.

No postmaster shall be obliged to receive, to be conveyed by the mail, any packet which shall weigh more than three pounds; and the postage marked on any letter or packet, and charged in the post bill which may accompany the same, shall be conclusive evidence, in favour of the postmaster who delivers the same, of the lawful postage thereon, unless such