Mr Le Geyt's letter of acceptance
Charles Wiliam Le Geyt's
acceptance letter
Charles William Le Geyt was appointed Jersey's first postmaster in 1793 (or 1794, because accounts differ). This was his letter of thanks to the Secretary of State for War, with whom he fought at the Battle of Minden
To Evan Nepean, Esq Jersey, 19 February 1793
Sir
Last night at the same moment that I was acquainted with my appointment of Post Master of this Island, I entered upon it. Having had no previous notice of your intended goodness, I was agreeably surprised at the arrival of a mail at my house, accompanied by Mr Saverland, Surveyor of the General Post Office, who was pleased to show me - my name, written by you, with the addition of Post Master - Accept, my Dear Sir, my most grateful acknowledgements for this mark of yuour friendship and kindness to me. It was most fortunate for me that Mr Saverland came to this island, he having very obligingly assisted me in the distribution of the letters and in showing me how to make up the mail this evening; and has been pleased to give me the clearest instructions possible for my future going on.
It was also happy for me that he saw how greatly the Exchange is against me in all remittances to the General Post Office. The Par settled by Mr Pitt in the treaty of Commerce with France is 24 livres for a pound sterlg. I receive the postage here at that Par, and I remit it in bills at 25 livres - one livre in a pound sterlg against me; and if in silver, as I have done this evening, 17 shillings to the Postmaster at Weymouth, one penny in a shillg, receiving but 24 sous and I pay 26 sous per shillg. To these money transactions he was witness; I must therefore take the liberty to beg of you, once more to interest your self for me with the Postmasters General, that my salary may be made adequate to the above and to the great trouble I have here, and further to represent to their Lordships, that the Mail coming here is attended with more expense to me than those sent by the Mail Coaches to Country Towns, as I must be civil in entertaining, now and then, the captns of the Packetts with a dinner. etc. But all this I leave to your better Judgement - only that a word from you would influence their Lordships in my favour. I conclude in the greatest haste as the Mail is gone on board, but Mr Saverland has been pleased to promise me he'll take care you shall receive this. Accept once more my best thanks, and believe me to be with the greatest respect to yourelf and Lady. [1]
Notes and references
- ↑ This letter was printed in the 1934 Annual Bulletin of La Société Jersiaise and would seem to indicate that Jersey's official postal service to and from Weymouth commenced early in 1793, although the date usually given is 1794. It would appear that if Mr Le Geyt had no prior notice of his appointment, he was quick to recognise the financial realities of his position and write what sounded more like a letter of complaint than one of acceptance.
