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Migration: United States Massachusetts

Retaliatory Rate Period June 1848 - 17 December 1848
In response to unwelcome competition from new US packet carriers, and at a low in postal relations between Britain and the
US, the British Post Office imposed a one shilling levy on US incoming letters carried on American contract steamships. In
retaliation, the US imposed the levy on British packet mail. Twenty five outward Cunard sailings to the US were affected
during the period.

Retaliatory Rate Period Letter

1/- paid
~ _,. ..... -
("""'SHI p1>~ 29~ due
~

New York Ship

Rated as an Unpaid Ship
Letter-29 cts

Lowell, Massachusetts, 7 July, 1848-15 days

Paid letter, embossed franking, from Paisley, Scotland. British packet Cunard Hibemia
8 July, 1848 Liverpool, 22 July, New York. Sent in first week ofretaliatory rate period.

The rate of29 cents due is a 24 cent retaliat01y fee equated to one shilling, plus 5 cents
US inland postage.

"Dr. Stewart died fast week. 1 send a paper to you on death ofyour Jather."

Reverse Liverpool and Paisley
datestamps

During the high point of emigration, late 1840s -1850s, the United States became the main destination for over 50% of immigrants.