Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-08-13

fence. It is the duty of every postmaster to be in readiness Git person by his assistan) at his office to receive tlp mail when it arrives and despatch it with all possible expedition. It sometimes happens that carriers and drvels are unnecessarily detained and sometimfs a neighborhood is disappointed in not by postmaster failing to be at his postto receve the mail. In all such cases, it is the dutypf the contractor to report the facts to the Department, that the proper corrective may be applied; and iailnre to do so will subject him also 10 the penalty of delinquency.
 There is cause to apprehend that the revenue of the Department suffers much by abuses of the frank ing privilege. Your attention was called to this sub ject two years since, with good effect. But there is reason to fear that in many instances the unremitted vigilance wfich the interest of the Department ex- acts is not generally continued, Your special atten- ton is called to the sub ject. Let elevation of character, oroi office deter you from bringing to the test of legal Investigation any person against whom evidence oftnis offence may be procured It is ofe sentia importance to the Department; and in no case, when the fact can be established, must the offender be permitted to escape with impunity. It is scarcely necessary to say, that violation of the law by postnasiers themselves, will in no case be pardoned. They arc reminded of the obligations of their oath ofoflice.
 Every peson'huving charge of boat or craft, is required by law, under heavy penalty, to deposit all letters conveyed by his boat in the post office at elcn place n drrVnl ana all letters conveyed Dv resurnhoa',on where seamboots regularly ply, are subject to the postage those carried the distance in the mail There is ground for belief, that in parts this provsien ofthe law is in great measure evaded. Ton are required to all dili- gence in striving to correct this evil. fit be per mtted to exist the Departmental be deprived of much of its lawful revenue at places where steam boats touch. In every instance ypu can discover of the violation of this section of tho law, (sect 19) whether on the water or by land, you to cause n prosecution to be instituted.
 The law prohibits mail carriers, Or stage drivers, from carrying letters, sealed unsealed out of the mail; except such as received al the distance of mile from post office, and then the carriers required to deliver them to be mailed in the first post office at which they arrive. From reports recently made to this Office, it appears tmt part of the law has, in many instances, been grossly violated, to the injury of the Department. This is an evil that cannot be tolerated fdone by fine carriers and drivers without the knowledge oftherempoyers the contractors in this respect must be held responsible for the conduct of the agents whom they employ. It is their duty to know hem and t is expected of each contractor that he will find the means of pre- venting frauds ofthis description upon his 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 If so the evil must be eflecually eradcated whatever sacrifice of ind. vidua interest it may involve. No contractor will hereafter be continued in the service of the Depart ment, who shall permit ths practice. However highly he may be estimated in other respects, he vii be deprived ofhis contract. Postmasters are requir edn all cases to inform the Department, when these abuses come to their knowledge.
 It is highly satisfactory to feel assured that, by the great majority of you, gentlemen, all the evils here noticed are decidedly dscountenaced and the stron; est confidence is therefore reposed in your readiness the Department so essential to its future prosperity
 W. T. BARRY.