Thomas Bucknor General Accomptant. Benjamin Andrews Clerk and Accomptant of the moneys in the office. John Rea, son of Mr. } John Rea, between ye } Letter Marker or Stamper. Temple Gates } Mr Francis Thomson "Agent to ryde ye severall rodes and find out abuses, and take care of ye due carriage of ye mayles and of all postmasters' doeing their severall and respective dutyes." Of Porters or Letter Carriers, whose names need not be given here, there were 28. IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE. Thomas Harper } Jeremiah Copping } Clerks. Richard Bostock } John Mansfield Office-attendant. This return is exceedingly interesting on several grounds. It shows that in the autumn of 1661 the total effective force of the Post Office in London numbered 47 persons; it contains the first recorded mention, probably, of a surveyor,--"agent to ryde ye severall rodes,"--a numerous class of officers nowadays, who perform the same duties as then, taking into account the changes in the methods and work of the Post Office; and it also contains the first record of a stamper of letters being employed. As regards the stamping, this is also mentioned by Bishop, in an answer made to the Council of State respecting alleged abuses in the Post Office, under date 2nd August 1661, as follows:-- ... "that he only employs old officers because new ones cannot serve for want of experience"; and he shows the precautions he has taken to rectify abuses, "by setting up printed rules, taking securities of the letter-carriers, stamping the letters," etc.