
This engaging volume brings listeners inside the hidden world of nineteenth‑century postal crime, presenting a series of vivid, true‑to‑life sketches drawn from actual investigations. The author, a seasoned clerk of the District Court, recounts daring schemes—tampered bags, forged stamps, and clever diversions—while showing how the system’s detectives unraveled each plot. By blending factual detail with clear moral insight, the book offers both suspenseful storytelling and a practical warning to anyone handling the nation’s correspondence.
Beyond the thrills of each caper, the narrative underscores the relentless pursuit of justice and the severe penalties awaiting those who betray public trust. Readers hear how even the most cunning offenders are eventually caught, their elaborate deceptions exposed by diligent officials. In a tone that feels both instructional and human, the work serves as a timeless reminder that honesty safeguards not just the mail, but the very fabric of society.
Full title
Ten Years Among the Mail Bags Or, Notes from the Diary of a Special Agent of the Post-Office Department
Language
en
Duration
~13 hours (796K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Adrian Mastronardi, Christian Boissonnas, The Philatelic Digital Library Project at http://www.tpdlp.net and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2012-09-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1812–1864
Best known for a lively memoir of postal crime and investigation, this 19th-century writer turned years of government work into vivid storytelling. He also spent time in journalism, giving his nonfiction an eye for sharp detail and public controversy.
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by Thomas C. Jefferies
by Western Union Telegraph Company