We've all heard the postman's creed, that came about in 1914 based upon the original words of the Greek Herodotus:
Quote:
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds.
While this is not a formal creed or oath, did you know that there were oaths that postal carriers were required to formally swear long prior to this?
I stumbled across the 1864 document below on eBay, initially of interest because it's an improper use, featuring a pair of R13c (2-cent Proprietary), but then it occurred to me that I had never seen this type of document before:
CERTIFICATE OF THE OATH OF MAIL CONTRACTORS, CARRIERS, &c., REQUIRED BY LAW.
The oath is for a postal carrier on route "9227" in Delaware County, Ohio. Text of document follows. Note the explicit instructions as to the payment of the tax at bottom.
Quote:
I, [NAME] being "employed in the care, custody, and conveyance of the mail" on route No. [NUMBER], from [LOCALE] to [LOCALE], State of [STATE], do swear that I wlll faithfully perform all the duties required of me, and abstain from everything forbidden by the laws in relation to the establishment of post offices and post roads within the United States; and that I will honestly and truly account for and pay over any moneys belonging to the said United States which may come into my possession or control; and I further solemly swear that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought, nor accepted, nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office whatever under any authority, or pretended authority, in hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded a voluntary support to any pretended government, authority, power, or constitution within the United States hostile or inimical thereto. And I do further swear that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that l will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
Sworn before the subscriber, [NAME] for the [JURISDICTION] of [NAME]. this [DAY] day of [MONTH], A. D. 186[#]; and I also certify that the person above named is above the age of sixteen years, to the best of my knowledge and belief.
[SIGNATURE]
The person who takes the oath should sign his name above the magistrate's certificate. This certificate must have affixed a 5-cent revenue stamp, which should be cancelled by the person using it writing on it his initials and the date, per act of Congress of July 1, 1862.
Posted 01/21/2025 11:28 am
Newly listed items on eBay by revenuecollector. 
US REVENUE SCOTT R51A 30C FOREIGN EXCHANGE IMPERF 1863 HANDSTAMP CANCEL
US REVENUE SCOTT R77C $130 FOREIGN EXCHANGE DUAL CANCELS WEEKS APART
US REVENUE SCOTT R68C $1 FOREIGN EXCHANGE HANDSTAMP CANCEL
US REVENUE SCOTT R92C $5 PROBATE OF WILL BLUE OVAL MERCHANT HANDSTAMP
US REVENUE SCOTT R22C 4C PROPRIETARY 1866 2LINE HANDSTAMP CANCEL
