Chalmers, James, 1782-1853; Hill, Rowland, Sir, 1795-1879; Postage stamps
Dundee is now a large and wealthy community, returning two members to
Parliament; few centres of business have benefited more conspicuously
from the legislation of the past forty years, including as the
foundation of all mercantile intercourse that great postal reform which
James Chalmers saved from failure and made practicable. Two generations
have already recognised and given every credit to the services of their
townsman--what further notice Dundee may yet take of this matter of
national and historical interest originated in the locality, the "value
and importance" of which has elsewhere been inadequately described,
remains to be seen.
OPINIONS FROM THE PRESS.
Having already published most of these in detail, to save space and
repetition it will be sufficient here to give a list or little more, of
the numerous Journals which have given me more or less support.
Those to which I am more particularly indebted are:--In Scotland--
The "Dundee Advertiser," a consistent support during a past lengthened
period, including powerful leading articles and notices.
The "Montrose Standard," several cordial and able articles of the
highest value, while the same is to be gratefully noticed of the other
Forfarshire papers.
The "Brechin Advertiser," the "Forfar Herald," the "Arbroath Guide," the
"Montrose Review."
The "North British Daily Mail," of Glasgow, in a leading article headed
"A Neglected Inventor," after stating the case, goes on to say: "It is
not creditable to the generosity of the Government of this country that
an important invention of this kind, which has conferred such a great
boon upon the public, should have remained so long unacknowledged and
unrewarded." This article has been extensively reproduced.
The "Glasgow News" and the "Christian Leader," of Glasgow, cordial
articles.
The "Paisley Herald," the same on several occasions.
The "Aberdeen Free Press," a warm and able support.
The "Blairgowrie Advertiser" has taken much interest and pains to
support me; also the "Perthshire Constitutional," the "Fifeshire
Journal," the "North British Advertiser," to all of which my best thanks
are due.
In the Metropolis and neighbourhood, considering how short a period has
elapsed since the opinion has been almost unanimously expressed that the
reformed Penny Postage scheme was the "sole and undisputed invention of
Sir Rowland Hill," to whom has also been erroneously attributed the
invention and proposal as well as the ultimate adoption of the adhesive
stamp, fair progress has already been made in obtaining a recognition of
Mr. Chalmers' services. That greater progress has not been made may be
attributed to the powerful influences which have been at work to stifle
the whole subject, including an attempt on the part of Mr. Pearson Hill
to stop the publication of pamphlets.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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