US Presidency
1853

In the administration of the Post-Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1853, the gross expenditure was $ 7,982,756, and the gross receipts during the same period $ 5,942,734, showing that the current revenue failed to meet the current expenses of the Department by the sum of $ 2,042,032. The causes which, under the present postal system and laws, led inevitably to this result are fully explained by the report of the Postmaster-General, one great cause being the enormous rates the Department has been compelled to pay for mail service rendered by railroad companies. The exhibit in the report of the Postmaster-General of the income and expenditures by mail steamers will be found peculiarly interesting and of a character to demand the immediate action of Congress.