A letter[18] from Sir Edmund Andros to John Allyn, dated November 23, 1687, speaks of a contemplated post from Boston to the farthest settlements of Connecticut, John Perry to go between Hartford, Fairfield and Stamford once a month in the winter, and every three weeks during the summer, as Allyn suggests in his answer. A letter from Samuel Sewall[19] to Samuel Mather, at Windsor, Connecticut, as early as March 6, 1685/6[20], mentions John Perry as bearer and a postage of 3d. That this project was carried out is evident from the complaint brought before the council of New York[21] by John Perry, that on his way to Boston he was laid hold on by warrant from the usurper Leysler, brought to New York and his letters opened, the apparent object being to destroy commerce and trade. [18] _Connecticut Records_, Vol. III., pp. 392, 393, 398. [19] _Letter Book of Sam. Sewall_, Vol. I., p. 25. [20] The discrepancy in dates leads to the supposition that John Perry served as bearer before his actual appointment. [21] _Colonial Documents of N. Y._, Vol. III., p. 682. June 11th, 1689, the Massachusetts general court[22] appointed Richard Wilkins, postmaster, to receive all letters and deliver them out at 1d. each. [22] _Mass. Provincial Records._ In 1691/2, a new era opened for the colonial post office. On February 7th, of that year, William and Mary, by letters patent, granted[23] to “Thomas Neale, Esq., his executors, administrators and assignes, full power and authority to erect, settle and establish within the chief parts of their majesties’ colonies and plantations in America, an office or offices for the receiving and dispatching letters and pacquets, and to receive, send and deliver the same under such rates and sums of money as the planters shall agree to give, and to hold and enjoy the same for the terme of twenty-one years.” [23] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d series, Vol VII., pp. 50-51. To govern and manage the general post office,[24] Neale appointed (April 4th, 1692) Andrew Hamilton, an Edinburgh merchant, who in 1685 had emigrated to New Jersey, and become special agent of the proprietors. [24] _Mass. Historical Collections_, 3d series, Vol. VII., p. 51, also Palfrey’s _History of New England_. On the deposition of Andros in 1689, Hamilton embarked for England to consult with the proprietors; on the voyage was taken prisoner by the French, but soon released, and in 1692 was made governor of New Jersey. Hamilton’s application to the colonial legislatures[25] to “ascertain and establish such rates and terms as should tend to quicker maintenance of mutual correspondence among all neighboring colonies and plantations and that trade and commerce might be better preserved,” met with a favorable response from the colonial governments. [25] Palfrey, IV., p. 329.