Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-12-05

insuring proper discipline, destroy the
inequality in that respect between mill
tary and naval services, and relieve oui
officers from many Inconvenience and
notifications, which occur when our
vessels meet those of othernations-ours
being the only service in which such
grades do exist.
A report of the Post Master General,
which accompanies this communication.
will shew the present state of the Pos
Oifice Department, and its general ope-
rations for some years past.
There is established, by law, eighty
eight thousand miles of post roads, on
which the mail is now transported eigh.
ty-fiye thousand seven hundred miles
and contracts have been made for lis
transportation on all the established
routes, with one or two exceptions. -
There are five thousand two hundred
and forty post offices in the Union, and
as many post masters. The gross a
mount Of postage which accrued from
the first of July, one thousand eight hum
dred and twenty-five, to the first OF
July, one thousand eight hundred and
twenty-three, was one million one hun
dred and fourteen thousand three hun
bred and forty-fve dollars, twelve cents,
During the same period, the expendi-
lures Of the Post Office department a.
mounted TO one million one hundred
and sixty-nine thousand eight hundred
and eighty-fye dollars and ffiy-one
cents; and consisted Of the following
items: Compensation TO Postmasters,
three hundred and fify-three thousand
nine hundred and ninety-6ve dollars and
ninety-eight cents; Incidental expenses,
thirty thousand eight hundred and sixty
six dollars and thirty-seven cents, trans
portat!on Of the mail, seven hundred
aud eighty-four Thousand six hundred
dollars and eight cents; payments into
the treasury, four hundred and twenty
three dollars and eight cents. On the
first July last, there was due to the De-
partment, from Postmasters, one hum
dred and thirty-five thousand two hun
dred and forty-fye dollars and twenty
eight centsj from late possmasters and
contractors, two hundred and fifty-six
thousand seven hundred and iorty-nime
dollars and thirty-one cents, making a
total amount of balances due to the De-
partment, of three hundred and ninety
one thousand nine hundred and ninety
four dollars and ffty-nine cents, these
balances embrace all delinquencies of
postmasters and contractors, which have
taken place since the organization of
the Department. There was due BY the
Department, to contractors, on the first
of July last, twenty-six thousand five
hundred and forty-eight dollars and
sixty-soar cents.
The transportation of the mail, with
in Ave years past, has been greatly ex-
tended, and the expenditures of the de-
artmentproportionably increased. AL
though the postage, which has accrued
within the last three years, has fallen
short Of the expenditures two hundred
and sixty two thousand eight hum
dred and twenty-one dollars and forty
six cents, it appears that collections have
been made from the outstanding balan-
ces TO meet the principal part ofthe cur
rent demands. &
1t is estimated that not more than
two hundred and City thousand dollars
of the above balance can be collected,
and that considerable part OF this sum
can only be realised by resort to legal
process. Some improvement in the
receipts for postage is expected. A
prompt attention to the collection of
moneys received by postmasters, it is
believed will enable the department to
continue its operation without aid from
the Treasury, unless the expenditure
shah be increased by the establishment
of how mail routes.
4Agevision Of sonc parts of the pest
Office law may be necessary, and it is
submitted, neither it would not be pro-
per to provide for the appointment Of
postmasters, wi ere the compensation
exceeds a certain amount by noalina
ton to the Senate, as other officers of
the gen'l government are appointed.
Hnying communicated my siewsto
Congress, a. the commencement Of
last session, respecting the encourage
ment which ought 10 be given 10 our
manufactures & the principle on which
it should be founded, have ONLY to
add tina, those views remain unchang
ed, aud that the present state of tho' c
countries, with which we have the
most immediate poli.ical relations and
greatest commercial intercourse, tends
10 confirm them. Under this impress