Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-03-19

TO a call By this committee for information
ON that subject. gives the following expia-
natory statement, which we quote at large,
as II will the better enable the Senate 10
apply the evidence to which we shall af.
forwards refer. Having answered an in
quiry as TO another route, the Postmaster
| General says:
" In answer to your further call for a
statement OF the bids and contract from
Hagerstown TO M'Connelsburg,' | have
the honor TO state that said route mo
i.23D was advertised 20 run three times a
week in four horse post coaches, distance
twenty six miles. The proposals received
| for this route were as follows. viz:
/" Fose and Wash, $500. or $3.50 In two
horse stages.
John Blake, $3.50, on horseback.
al. Huddleston, 5000.
James Recsido. $40 or 80 improved.
{" Lindsay &IShaffer 500 or 600 daily.
Thomas II, Boyd, $3.50.
Joseph Boyd, 800, or 500 daily.
1.-The proposal Of James Recside at 40
dollars was accepted. The following is
copy OF his proposals, which is not In
the handwriting OF Mr.. Reside:
No ,23l. from iIagerstown to Moon.
nellsburg. via Welsh Run aud MERGERS.
burg, as advertised. for the yearly compen-
sation Of forty dollars; or will carry the
same so as 10 connect the mail al each
place with the great eastern and westesn
mails. daily. in four horse post coaches,
for the yearly compensation Of ninety nine
dollars"
Mr., Reside alleged 10 the Postmaster
General that there was mistake in the
sums mentioned by him 10 his bid; that
the word daily was intended TO apply alike
TO both tho propositions; that is, to run
daily, according to tho schedule advertis-
ed. for 400 dollars year; or 10 make
such changes in the schedule, and give
such increased expedition as would per
feet the connexions, for 800 dollars, be-
ing one dollar less than $4,000; that he
had made out the sum in figures with
pencil, and given 10 person 10 copy. who
must have mistaken his marks; that the
small sum of 40 dollars would show the
first 10 be an error aud besides the small
sum. the repetition OF 80 dollars, il being
written twice together, will show the Sc
cond 10 be an error; thai the words !" for
IN dollars were copied for what he intend
ded TO be 400 dollars and the words
"niaeiy.nine dollars ninety nine dottars.'
from what he intended 10 be 800 dollars.
II being deemed expedient, on considera
ton oil application 10 the department TO
that effect, TO have the route run daily,
being a connecting route between two ini'
porlant daily routes, he was directed YER
bally. 10 run the route daily, and told that
the error, and the amount OF the compen.
sation for the whole service. would become
the subject Of future consideration.
subsequently, aud soon after be com
menced the service, the following state
ment was reported 10 me by the chici
clerk of the department. then in charge Of
the office of mail contracts. who made II
from tho verbal statement of Mr.. Reside.
then present at the department
(" No .s3i, from Hagersiown, Md. TO
NJ Connelsburg. Pa, twenty six miles,
three times week, four horse post each
es--James Reside, at forty dollars Mr..
Reside says the bid was put In 10y mas
take. as will appear from the small sum.
He intended TO have made it 81 400, and
TO run daily and SO markcdit with his pen
Gil but the clerk who copied II for him.
mistook his pencil mark. supposing The
was belonging TO bis dollar sign, and the u
at the right hand he overlooked. or con
sudered II merely point
1.-The f3simaster General gave q
verbal order TO run daily, and rese, Sc "a
consideration The correction Of ~ ~.
He has run from the beginning - ihc year
daily. Shall he be allowed 10 correct the
error, and receive 81 400? Ills distance
is increased ten miles. No other bad.
"On this | endorsed granted and d
contract. as appears by the files, was made
out accordingly.
"In the above statement there is an err
ror. there we're several other bids, and
| the error must have arisen from the CIR
cumstance that three other bids which
were accepted 10 Mr.. Reside, was ON the
same paper; TO neither oil which was there
any other bid than his II must have been
| under the impression that this was one OF
them. when il was noted no other bid
The contract Was made with James
| Reside. 10 carry The mail from Hagers.
town. Md. by Welsh run, Pa. and Mef
cersburg, TO Nc Connelsto sn, daily, IN four
horse post coaches, (and II appears by
statements on Gle, that it Is carried by
Greencastle. increasing the distance five
miles each day) at si,400 per annum,
from LIST January 1882, TO 3lst Decem-
Der, 1886.
10 reply 10 your further inquiry. / have
TO state that there has been no extra al.
low ance upon this contract; but there has
\ been a reduction OF the annual compeDsa-
ton upon II 10 the sum Of 100 dollars, and
a reduction Of the service TO tii-weekly,
| ordered in Noyember 1898 ITO have tf
feet from LIST January, iS34.) and report
ed 10 the Senate in the list Of curtsil.
ments OF mail facilities, Sd March, 1884
This reduction was made. not upon any
examinatio into the circumstances OF the
original letting and contract, (such exam
ina.ion was not made, or known 10 be re'