maître (maîtresse) de poste (post master or post mistress)

The post masters role was to ensure the proper functioning of the "postal relay stations" or "equestrian mail". His or her duties were limited to providing horses and guides who were also called "postillons" (coachmen). The post masters clients were mainly well-to-do travelers and couriers responsible for carrying letters. The post man held an official license that gave him a monopoly on the provision of the fastest post horses. As the proprietor of a relay station, he received such a small income from the administration that is implementing his income by working first as a farmer, host, or at other occupations.

malle-poste (postal coach)

Until 1793, the transportation of the mail was carried out by vehicles called "brouettes" (a type of wagon). The "brouette", was entrusted to a coachman who carried the mail in a trunk that held bundles of mail classified according to the name of the post office at their destination. In 1793, new vehicles called "postal coaches" that were also able to carry passengers were introduced. Among the best known of all models of postal coaches were the briska and the berlin (a four-door coach), which were influenced by the English models from 1837 as well as the dispatch rider in 1838. Operating day and night, the coaches were the property of the postal administration and rarely carried passengers (from one to four).

mandat postal / mandat-poste (postal money order)

Upon payment of a tax, this certificate was issued by a post office in exchange for a specific sum of money, ordering that same amount be paid to another person.
Money order service was first offered in France in 1808. Intiially only available to the military, it was extended to the general public in 1817.

messager-piéton (foot messenger)

One such prefectoral sub-agent per district was appointed between 1796 and 1830, responsible for handling correspondence between mayors, sub-prefect, and prefects.