62 STAT.] 80TH CONG. , 2D SESS.-CH. 645-JUNE 25, 1948 777 any post route, or from one place to another between which the mail is regularly carried, carries, otherwise than in the mail, any letters or packets, except such as relate to some part of the cargo of such con- veyance, or to the current business of the carrier, or to some article carried at the same time by the same conveyance, shall, except as other- wise provided by law, be fined not more than $50. § 1695. CARRIAGE OF MATTER OUT OF MAIL ON VESSE Whoever carries any letter or packet on board any vessel which carries the mail, otherwise than in such mail, shall, except as otherwise provided by law, be fined not more than $50 or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. § 1696. PRIVATE EXPRESS FOR LTTERS AND PACKTS (a) Whoever establishes any private express for the conveyance of letters or packets, or in any manner causes or provides for the convey- ance of the same by regular trips or at stated periods over any post route which is or may be established by law, or from any city, town, or place to any other city, town, or place, between which the mail is regularly carried, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. This section shall not prohibit any person from receiving and delivering to the nearest post office, postal car, or other authorized depository for mail matter any mail matter properly stamped. (b) Whoever transmits by private express or other unlawful means, or delivers to any agent thereof, or deposits at any appointed place, for the purpose of being so transmitted any letter or packet, shall be fined not more than $50. (c) This chapter shall not prohibit the conveyance or transmission of letters or packets by private hands without compensation, or by special messenger employed for the particular occasion only. When- ever more than twenty-five such letters or packets are conveyed or transmitted by such special messenger, the requirements of section 500 of Title 39, shall be observed as to each piece. § 1697. TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONS ACTING AS PRIVATE EXPRESS Whoever, having charge or control of any conveyance operating by land, air, or water, knowingly conveys or knowingly permits the con- veyance of any person acting or employed as a private express for the conveyance of letters or packets, and actually in possession of the same for the purpose of conveying them contrary to law, shall be fined not more than $150. § 1698. PROMPT DELIVERY OF MAIL FROM VESSEL Whoever, having charge or control of any vessel passing between ports or places in the United States, and arriving at any such port or place where there is a post office, fails to deliver to the postmaster or at the post office, within three hours after his arrival, if in the day- time, and if at night, within two hours after the next sunrise, all letters and packages brought by him or within his power or control and not relating to the cargo, addressed to or destined for such port or place, shall be fined not more than $150. For each letter or package so delivered he shall receive two cents unless the same is carried under contract. § 1699. CERTIFICATION OF DELIVERY FROM VESSEL No vessel arriving within a port or collection district of the United States shall be allowed to make entry or break bulk until all letters on board are delivered to the nearest post office, and the master or other person having charge or control thereof has signed and sworn to
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