Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-14
EXPRESS MAILS.
FOR THE ryouIpr

fOh THE ENQUIRER.
.Messrs. Richie & Gooch.
The structures In your paper of the Sd inst. ON
express mails, are made in that free and liberal
spirit OF discussion, which demands from all the
most favourable consideration
A full investigation of this subject, cannot be
objected to by the head of the Post Office Depart
lnent, and am sure that he will always be gratif-
ed, at having any OF his measures examined in
that independent and respectful manner, which cha
racterise your remarks 1t is proper to view the
: new enterprise" not as measure ddOpted by
the Department, but as thought of, more widely to
diftuse the 6eaeheial operations OF the mail The
arrangement Will not be made, should it be found
Objectionable on account of the expense or not
calculated to answer the desired object. This plan
seems to be viewed by some, as an attempt 10 put
down all speculation So visionary scheme has
never been entertained by the Postmaster General.
II the express mail should be established, and il
should be found to discourage private dispatches,
winch nave so frequently been sent for PURPOSES Of
speculation it will be fair to attribute the motive
oil the Postmaster General, rather to elevate the
character OF his Department, by advancing the
pubic interest, than to put down few success
Iu spectators 1t IS, perhaps, not generally known
that mail contractors on their routes have ALWAYS
Afforded the means of rapid transportation TO pri-
sa'e dispatches The horses placed on the routes
4of the public service, are used to send on ex-
presses In advance Of the mail. This is a source
OF considerable profit contractors on some rom
and always presents 10 them, and all in their
employ strong iaducement to use exertions in
compatible with the public interest Instances are
known, where means have been used, to induce
drivers oil the mail stage to delay its arrival at an
important point, that better opportunity might be
afforded Tor speculation. Ole case has lately been
investigated by the Department, where the con-
tractor engaged to forward, By the regular driver
Oh the mail stage, private despatch, in anticipa-
uon oil The mail. This was done, TO the injury OF
the public, as 1t caused a failure Of the mail The
contract was forfeited, and the highest pecuniary
penalty inflicted. But this poorly compensates for
the loss the public may have sustained Its be-
eVea mat Tor years past, every private messenger
VINO mas passed through the country in advance of
she mail, Tor speculation, has been conveyed by
contractors, and that without the facilities thus at
lordedi the regular mail would seldom be outstrip
ped. Under such circumstances, and the facts
"hich nave lately occurred, il is submitted to the
candour OF every one, whether the Postmaster &C.
neral uld not owe It TO the country and to himself,
70 place his Department on higher ground Would
ne nave acted the part of faithful servant, with
on. using some effort to arrest this evil? He must
hHleeo DC destitute of every thing deserving the
name OF energy, and alike regardless of the public
welfare and has own reputation, to see, without
extreme modification, the operations of the mail
rendered almost useless, on the most important oc
eS'Vhs, through the instrumentality OF the agents
OF the Department. Mail contractors have mo,
been prohibited from sffording these facilities; they
are ilaDle TO no penalty If the mail be delivered At
me hours hxed by their contracts. The public in
tfesl can be better guarded in future contracts but
a remedy IS required for the present Withdraw
tue iaciiines furnished by mail contractors and we
sn"iI near 0uL little of private expresses. They
may DC sent between Philadelphia and New York
""''s NOISES are easily obtained the route, but