The Arkansas advocate., 1831-08-31

y Y l from rain or bad weather. If on horse back 1t must be covered with as. oil cloth or bear skin. ia iia sa sttass stage, the letter mali must be in safe ard well covered boot under the driver or in the body of l the stage. Wben the newspaper mail Is large, and separated from the letter mail, 1t may De carried onthe backoftbe stage, provided 1t shall be we'll secured from rain; but in no case must it be cx- posed to the weather. Norisa a contrac- tor permitted on any occasion to leave oags of newspapers, or pamphlets, or any part of the mail, at any place on the road. His doing 50 will inevitably subject him to the forfeiture of his con tract. 1t is also required of postmas- ters m every instance, when contractor shall fail to comply with any of these re- quirements, to report tho case specifcal- 1 ly to the Department; and neglect to do so, will subject him to the imputa- ton and consequence of being a parti- eipator in the offence. Ii is the duty of every postmaster, 10 be in readiness fin person or by his assistanf at lis office, to receive the mail when it arrives, and despatch it with all possible expedition. 1t sometimes happens that carriers and drivers are unnecessarily detained, and sometimes aneighborhood is disappoint- ed in receiving intelligence, by post master failing to be at his post torcceive the mail. In all such cases, it is the duty of the contractor to report the facts to the Department. that the proper cor rectiye may be applied; and failure to do so, will subject him, also, to the penal ty of delinquency.
 There is cause 10 apprehend that the revenue of, tie Department suffers much, by abuse of the franldne priyi- lege. Your attention was called to this subject two years since, with good effect. But there is reason to fear in many in- stances, tine unromitted vigilance which the interest of the Department exacts, is not generally continued. Your spe- cial attention is called to the subiect.- Let no elevation of character. or of of ice, deter you from bringing to the tests illegal inyestigation,any person against Wfom evidence of this offence may be procured. 1tis of essential importance tothe Departments; and in no case when the fact can be established. must the of fender be permitted 10 escape with i'm punity. It IS scarcely necessary to say that a violation of the law, by postmas-. ters themselves, will in TO case be par. doHed. They arc reminded of the ob- legations of their oath of office.
 Every person having charge ofa boat or craft, is required by law, under a heavy penalty, 10 dcposite all letters conveyed by lis boat, in.the post office at the place of arrival; and all letters conveyed by steam boats, on waters where steaTnboats regularly ply, are subject to the same postages as those carried the same distancein the mail.--1 There IS ground for belief, that in some parts, this provision of the law is in a great measure eyaded. You are re- quired 10 use all diligence in striving 10 correct this evil. lift be permitted to exist, tbe Department will be deprived of much of its lawful revenue at places where steam boats touch. In every ill., stance, you can discover of the violation of this section of the law, [Sectinn l9. whether on the water or by land, you are to cause prosecution to be insti- tuted.
 The law prohibits mail carriers, or stage drivers, from carrying letters, seal ed or unsealcd, out of the mail; except such as are received at the distance oi one mile from the post office, and then the carriers are required to deliver them to be mailed, at the first post office at which they arrive. From reports re- gently made to this office, it appears that this part of the law, has, in many instances, been grossly violated. to the injury of the department. This is an I evil that cannot be tolerated. If done by carriers and drivers without the knowledge of their employers, the con tractors. in this respect, must be held responsible for inc conduct of their agents whom they employ. II is their duty to know them; and it is expected ] of each contractor that he will find the means of preventing frauds of this des- eription upon hisown route, or sustain, himself, the injury that may result An apprehension is entertained that some contractors, in other respects, well ; approved, have permitted these frauds to exist upon their lines. fso, the evil fl must be eilectually eradicated, whatev- , ! CT sacrifice of individual interestit may