form aforesaid from the tenth day of August next ensuing the date hereof during such time as We or the Postmaster Gen^{l}, for the time being shall think fit under such Conditions payments and Instructions to be faithfully observ'd perform'd and done by the said Rich^{d}. Bigg and Richard Dixon their Deputys and Servants as they shall from time to time receive from the Gen^{l}. Post Office in London in writing Subscribed by Us our Deputy or Deputys in the Post Office, in Witness whereof We the said S^{r}. Robert Cotton and Sir Thomas Frankland have hereunto sett our hands & Caused the Seal of the said Office in such Cases used to be affixed this fourth day of August 1705. R.C. T.F. No. 3. To y^{e} Rt. Honble y^{e} Lords Com^{rs}. of his Majestys Treary. May it please your L.sps-- A Proposall having some time since been made to your Lordsps That a Cross Post might be settled between Bristol & Shrewsbury, you were pleased to refer y^{e} same to Us to Consider of it & Report Our opinions thereupon w^{ch} Wee did accordingly and acquainted yo^{r} Lordsps Wee did hope Wee should find some persons who would at their Owne Cost and Charges undertake to Settle a Cross Post, upon such terms as his Majesty would not be a loser and the people receive the benefit they proposed. The Establishing such a Cross Roade would undoubtedly be of great Use to Trade & Convenience to y^{e} People and appeares to be very much desired by the several Countrys thro' w^{ch} it wou'd pass; but as at present it might become loss to y^{e} Revenue Wee think it Our Duety to lay y^{e} whole state of the Case before Yo^{r} Lorsps to receive yo^{r} further Directions and have hereunto annexed a scheme both of the Charge & loss that may accrew to the Office thereby.