The Post Office in the Eighteenth Century. A study in administration

Notes:

Scholarly work. Focuses on the 18th century - 'In the absence of detailed treatment there has ... been a tendency to underestimate the importance of the office and to exaggerate its failings at this time. The object of the present study is to examine more closely both the office and its relations with the government, and to place its work and achievements in broader and clearer perspective'. Reviews the activities of the Post Office through the career of Anthony Todd, Secretary of the Post Office, 1762-65, 1768-98. Structured in three parts: 1] 'Structure of the Post Office' - 'The administrative inheritance' / 'The Postmasters General' / 'The staff'; 2] 'The Post Office and the government' - 'Revenue' / 'Propaganda' / 'Intelligence'; 3] 'Anthony Todd' - 'Youth and promotion' / 'The danger of disturbances' / 'Trust and confidence' / 'Defence in depth' / 'Left on the field'. A focus is on the work of 'the Private Office'; 'the Secret Office'; and the 'Deciphering Branch'