the parties concerned, and at the expiration of the next three months, shall send such of the letters as then remain on hand as dead letters, to the General Post-Office, where the same shall be opened and mspected; and ii any valuable papers or mat- ters of consequence shall be found therein, it shall be the duty of the Postmaster-General, through his deputies, when he shall have ascertained the residence of the writer or writers thereof, through his deputies to return them; or, if after a descriptive l.i,st thereof has been published in one of the news- papers published at ihe place most convenient to the supposed residence of the owner, if within '£e.xas, the person or persons to whom such letter or letters may have been directed and intended, shall make application therefor, it shall be the duty of the Postmaster-General or any of his deputies, upon being satisfied that the applicant is the proper owner, to deliver them to such person or persons upon the postage and expense of publication being paid; and in either case to require from persons so receiving letters, to receipt to the Postmaster- General therefor-specifying in such receipt, that it is for such letter or letters as may have been advertised and de- scribed; and if neither the writer or individual to whom the letter is addressed, shall not make demand in their own proper person or lawCnl agent, within two years after the advertise- ment thereof, 11s aforesaid, the said contents shall be applied to the use of Texas, until the same shall be reclaimed by. the proprietor thereof; and the manner of such application to be specially stated by the Postmaster-General to the Executive Office. S:i-:o. 21. Be it further ordained and decreed, That all newspapers conveyed in the mail shall be under cover, open at one end, and charged with a postage of one cent each, for any distance not more than fifty miles, and one and a half cent each for any greater distance; and that the Post- master-General and his deputies shall require those who re- ceive newspapers by post, to pay the postage quarterly, in advance. If any person employed in any departm~nt of the General Post-Office, shall improperly cletam, delay, hinder, embezzle or destrov any newspaper, or shall permit Any other person· to. do the like, or · shall open or permit any other person to open any mail or packet of newspapers not directed to the
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