In 1796 the rates for letters conveyed within England and Wales, Berwick, to and from Portugal, and to and from the British possessions in America, as established by the acts of 1711, 1765, and 1784, were repealed and the following substituted for a single letter:-- _Within England, Wales and Berwick._ _d._ Not exceeding 15 miles from place where letter is posted 3 From 15 to 30 miles, etc. 4 30 60 5 60 100 6 100 150 7 Over 150 miles, etc. 8 _Within Scotland._ In addition to rates in force 1 The old system of reckoning by stages was thus abolished, probably on account of the uncertainty as to the length of any particular stage and the variations and changes which were being constantly made. This change was made for England and Wales only, and the old system of reckoning by stages was still retained in Scotland. Letters from and to the colonies had formerly paid no postage over the regular shilling rate for a single letter and proportionately for other letters. Now they were to pay the full inland rate in addition. A single letter from the West Indies would now pay the shilling packet rate plus the rate from Falmouth to London, 1_s._ 8_d._ in all. The same rates and the same rule held for letters to and from Portugal. A single letter from Lisbon had formerly paid 1_s._ 6_d._ on delivery in London. It would now pay 1_s._ 8_d._ This act was not to affect letters to and from non-commissioned officers, privates, and seamen while in active service, who were allowed to send and receive letters for one penny each, payable in advance. The revenue arising from the new and the unrepealed rates was to be paid to the Receiver-General and be by him carried to the Consolidated Fund. The increase from the additional postage was estimated at £40,000 a year and was to be used to pay the interest on loans contracted the preceding year.[591] [591] 37 Geo. III, c. 18. When sailing packets were established between Weymouth and the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, the packet rates and the rates between the islands themselves were fixed at 2_d._ for a single letter. Permission was also given to establish postal routes in the islands, and to charge the same postage for the conveyance of letters as in England. The surplus was to go to the General Office and all postal laws then in force in England were to be deemed applicable to the two islands.[592] [592] 33 Geo. III, c. 60.