Anyone leaving an empty cart or
other obstruction on a public highway shall forfeit up to 20s. Any
cart, wagon, or carriage driven without a person on foot or on
horseback leading it shall forfeit up to 20s. Any driver of an
empty cart, wagon, or carriage who refuses or neglects to make way
for any coach or loaded cart, wagon, or carriage shall forfeit up
to 20. Any offender may be apprehended by anyone seeing his
offense without warrant, who shall then deliver him to a constable
or other peace officer.
By 1719, the mail service was well-regulated. Letter rates within
80 miles of London were 3d. per piece of paper, then 12d. per
ounce. Within 60 miles of New York City in America there were 4d.
per piece of paper, then 1s.4d. per ounce. Letters were still
carried by post horses. From London to New York, they were 1s. per
piece of paper for the first three pieces, then 4s. per ounce. In
1765, this rate was extended to all colonial ports.
In 1754, canals began to be constructed linking the main rivers.
Horses or men hauled the barges from the land. Now goods of many
inland towns cheapened and reached a national instead of just a
local market. In 1761 an almost illiterate man called James
Brindley cut the first real canal at Worsley for the Duke of
Bridgewater, who owned the coal deposits there. He kept the line
of the canal at one level to avoid having to make locks.
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