In 1699 a tariff, under which the rates were regulated according to the distance and without reference to the mode of transmission, was established between certain offices in Prussia, and in 1712 this tariff was extended generally. The rate from Magdeburg to Stendal was 3 groschen per pound, to Leipzig 5 groschen per pound, and to Berlin 7 groschen per pound. In 1713 the summer and winter rates were abolished in Prussia. The rate for ordinary parcels from Berlin to Hamburg was 1 groschen per pound, from Berlin to Magdeburg 7 pf. per pound, from Berlin to Frankfort 4 pf. per pound, from Berlin to Leipzig 1 groschen per pound, etc. For provisions the rates were reduced by one-half, and for fancy goods the rates were doubled, a method of charge which gave rise to many practical difficulties. In Saxony, by an ordinance of the 27th July 1713, parcels were divided into four classes, as follows:-- 1. Packets of Documents (_Akten-Pakete_). The letter rate was applied to these in the following manner:-- 1-4 pound parcels were charged as 2-1/2 ounces 4-6 " " " " " 3 " 6-8 " " " " " 5 " 2. Money and fancy goods-- For the value of 1-3 miles 100 thaler current 2 groschen 4-6 " 100 " " 3 " 7-9 " 100 " " 4 " and so on up to 30 miles. (NOTE.--_Distances are given in German miles throughout._) 3. Commercial goods-- -------+----------------------------------------------------------- | Miles. +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- Weight.| 1-3| 4-6| 7-9|10-12|13-15|16-18|19-21|22-24|25-27|28-30 | | | | | | | | | | +-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- Pounds.| Gr. | Gr. | Gr. | Gr. | Gr. | Gr. | Gr. | Gr. | Gr. | Gr. 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 10 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 23 | 24 | 32 | 38 | 44 100 | 14 | 24 | 34 | 50 | 58 | 70 | 79 | 90 | 110 | 124 -------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- The weight was calculated for each pound up to 10 pounds, then for 15 pounds and 20. For parcels weighing more than 20 pounds the rate increased for each 10 pounds. 4. Valuable goods, e.g. gold, silver, cloth of gold, brocade, were charged double the rate for commercial goods. In 1741 a parcel rate was established in Brunswick and Lüneburg, based simply on weight and distance, without reference to the nature of the contents.[439]