As tensions grew between the colonies and England in 1775, the Continental Congress established the United States Postal Department and named Benjamin Franklin to be its first postmaster general. Franklin had served as the postmaster of Philadelphia and as Joint Postmaster General under England’s rule and brought considerable experience to his new position. During his tenure, Franklin standardized rates, surveyed routes, erected milestones along long-distance delivery routes, and slashed delivery time between major cities by half. The postal agency was headquartered in Philadelphia until the capitol was moved to Washington, D.C., in 1800.