Franking Privilege (Free Mail)
The Confederate Acts of 23 February 1861, 13 May 1861 and 23 May 1864 prescribed the officials who could send mail free. The designated officials were:
Postmaster General and Chief Clerk
Chiefs of the Appointment, Contract and Finance Bureaus
Auditor of the Treasury for the Post Office Department
Agent for the Trans-Mississippi Agency
Auditor of the Trans-Mississippi Department
Postmasters
This privilege was for official business only. Mail was to be endorsed “Official Business” over the signature of the authorized official, on the back of the letter or package. In practice such franked mail was normally endorsed on the front.
Prepayment Exemptions
The Confederate Acts of 23 February 1861, 29 July1861 and 31 August 1861 prescribed how this mail was handled.
This type of mail could be sent by the sender without postage, but the postage was to be collected from the recipient.
Congressional Mail
Effective 29 July 1861 Congressman could send mail without prepayment of postage provided they endorsed it with their signature. Postage was to be collected from the recipient.
Soldiers Mail
Effective 29 July 1861 soldiers could send mail free without prepayment of postage, provided they endorsed such mail with their name and unit. Postage was to be collected from the recipient.
