4 April 1799 Hunter & Hay Census Cover

4 April 1799

Entire posted from Guernsey to Madras on April 4th/5th, 1799. The post was forwarded in London by Messrs Perchard and Brock, who were the forwarding agents. Postage charged from Guernsey–Weymouth packet rate of 2d, Weymouth–London (128 miles) rate of 7d, total single letter rate amounting to 9d; for a double letter, totalling 1 Shilling 6d, with black London handstruck "AP 8 99" in a circle. It reached India on September 6th, 1799, with 154 transit days. Upon arrival at Madras, 7½ Fanams was the postage due, which was paid by Hunter & Hay, who were Tom Fiott's forwarding agents at Madras. As a result, Madras HG1 "P" (Post Paid Fort St. George) handstamp was applied in black colour instead of Madras HG4 "Post Not Paid", as the bearing postage was fully paid by Hunter & Hay, forwarding agents at Madras. The letter was redirected from Madras to Comballoor (Coimbatore), which was a rare destination in 1799, as there was no post office. The manuscript endorsement "forwarded by Hunter & Hay" has been signed on the back of this letter, which was rarely done on every letter.