When we think of sending mail today, it’s a simple process: write a letter, affix a stamp, and drop it in the nearest postbox. But in the late 18th century, long before the introduction of the iconic Royal Mail stamp we recognise today, the process of sending and receiving letters was far more complicated and often expensive. In an era of growing empires, developing trade routes, and political upheaval, reliable communication was crucial—but it wasn’t easy.
Let’s take a journey back in time to see how mail was handled in this period, long before the convenience of a standard postal system.
The Packet Ship Network: Crossing the Seas with Letters
One of the most important elements of 18th-century mail delivery, particularly for long distances, was the use of packet ships. These vessels were specialised for transporting mail, passengers, and sometimes goods across oceans. Operating on fixed schedules, packet ships ensured that mail could travel between major ports in Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean, as well as to other colonial territories.
A letter sent from London to, say, New York or the West Indies, might take weeks or even months to arrive, depending on the weather and the state of the seas. Packet ships were faster and more reliable than merchant vessels because they prioritised communication over cargo, and they played a critical role in maintaining diplomatic and commercial ties between far-flung British colonies and their mother country.
But the journey by sea was only part of the process. Once a letter reached its destination port, there was still a long way to go before it reached its intended recipient.
Carriage by Land: Postal Coaches and Foot Messengers
Over land, letters were transported by a network of post boys or mounted couriers and later, by postal coaches. In many regions, this was a dangerous and challenging job. The couriers had to navigate poor road conditions, bad weather, and even highwaymen who saw the transport of valuable correspondence as an opportunity for theft.
Postal coaches became more common as roads improved. Introduced toward the end of the 18th century, these horse-drawn carriages carried both passengers and mail between towns, stopping at coaching inns along the way to change horses and allow for rest. The introduction of postal coaches helped speed up mail delivery, but it was still a far cry from today’s modern efficiency.
The Cost of Communication: Who Paid for the Mail?
One of the major differences between mail in the 18th century and today was who paid for the service. Unlike today, where the sender buys a stamp, the recipient of the letter was responsible for paying postage upon delivery. The cost of sending a letter depended on several factors, including the distance it travelled and the number of sheets of paper used.
This system created problems. If a letter arrived but the recipient couldn’t afford the postage, the letter might be refused, or in some cases, simply never delivered. This led to the development of ingenious ways to circumvent the system, such as sending a letter written in code on the outside of the folded paper, allowing the recipient to read the message without having to open—or pay for—the letter.
Postal Regulations: A Complex System of Rates and Services
Postal systems in the 18th century were often regulated by governments, with varying rates and services. In Britain, for instance, the General Post Office (GPO) was established much earlier in 1660, but by the 18th century, it was beginning to expand its services. Rates for sending letters were calculated by both distance and weight, and postal clerks used standardised charts to calculate charges.
Although governments were keen to facilitate the flow of information, particularly for political and commercial reasons, the high cost of sending letters meant that mail services were still primarily used by the wealthy, businesspeople, and government officials.
Challenges and Innovations: The Growth of a Global Postal Network
The late 18th century was a period of expansion in many ways, and the postal system was no exception. The British Empire, in particular, required a reliable means of communication across its far-reaching colonies. The use of mail coaches and packet ships facilitated this, but there were still many challenges. Mail could be delayed by wars, such as the American Revolution or the Napoleonic Wars, and by natural obstacles, like storms at sea.
One of the key innovations during this period was the use of postmarks. Post offices would stamp a letter with the date and location of its origin, allowing officials and recipients to track when and where it had been sent from. These postmarks were the precursors to the postage stamps that would later become essential to mail systems worldwide.
Looking Forward: The Introduction of the Postage Stamp
It wasn’t until 1840 that the postage stamp, as we know it today, was introduced in Britain with the Penny Black, marking the birth of the modern postal system. This innovation revolutionised mail delivery, as it placed the responsibility for paying postage on the sender, simplified the rate structure, and made communication more accessible to the general public.
But in the late 18th century, sending a letter was still a time-consuming and often expensive affair. Whether by land or sea, through postal coaches or packet ships, the journey of a letter was an adventure in itself, crossing treacherous seas, dangerous highways, and political boundaries. Yet, even in this complex pre-stamp era, the need for communication helped drive innovation and create the foundations of the global postal systems we rely on today.
Conclusion
The handling of mail in the late 18th century was a far cry from the streamlined systems we use today. From packet ships braving the Atlantic to postal coaches rattling across rutted roads, every letter had a long and often perilous journey. Although expensive and unreliable by modern standards, the postal networks of this era laid the groundwork for the innovations that would soon follow, transforming global communication and shaping the world as we know it.
By the time the first postage stamp was introduced in the 19th century, the groundwork for a truly international postal service had already been laid, thanks to the courage and creativity of those who handled the mail in the 18th century.
NB:
Back in 2018 when I was researching how mail moved to and from the West Indies, I went to the Royal Philatelic Society, where I met the lovely Alan Huggins, MBE (see photo), who gave his time to ensure I had the right material to research. If you ever want to learn more about the early days of our British Royal Mail, do go and visit. It's fascinating. Thank you Alan.