Post Office Act of 1790

Thomas Jefferson, American, 1743 - 1826 · Jauary 4, 1790

This document records “an act for the temporary establishment of the post-office” passed by the Senate and House of Representatives in the second session, begun on January 4, 1790. Between 1789 and 1792, Congress passed such temporary measures on three occasions. The Post Office Act of 1792 finally outlined and instituted postal operations as run by the federal government. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution states: “The Congress shall have the Power . . . to Establish Post Offices and post Roads.”