The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-19

For some time to come the mail transportation will
De nearly stationary The post Offices will greatly
increase; The revenue will rapidly advance as
soon as the general embarrassments are al an end
That OF the last quarter was at least nine per cent
over the corresponding quarter Of last year but the
same relative proportions re,not to be expected in
the coming quarters.
The number of dead letters returned 10 the De-
parimen for the last two quarters has been ascer-
tained as accurately practicable For the quarter
ending Both June last they $4,000 and for
inc quarter ending 3Oh September last over 225 900.
The average may be put down al 900 900 annually.
AZ ia cents each, their estimate average postage,
me loss 70 the Department on these letters
year
Estimating the letters delivered out at the same
average rate, IL will appear that the whole number
OF letters delivered from The post Offices OF the United
States during the last year was % $50 992 For free
letters and dead letters may be added at least $780,
ooo more. The number Of newspapers, pamphlets,
DC paying postage, conveyed by mail annually, is
estimated at about rs, 100000 The dead and free
newspapers may be about 100000
The convenience of the public business and
the security Of the books and papers, require
that ire-proof building be provided for this De-
partment
is necessary that the clerks provided for in the
appropriations of the last annual teSsion be made
permanent.
The great increase Of the number of post Offices
and in the magnitude of accounts from the old Offices
together with the multiplication of contractors rem
der II absolutely necessary TO augment the force of
the Auditors Office.
take great pleasure in saying that more faithful
devoted and efficient public officers than my three as
sstans cannot be found and that the clerks general
ly partake of their spirit.
Some idea may be formed of the amount of bust
ness done in this Department from the fact that the
communications of all sorts received in the different
offices, excluding the Auditors Office amount TO
daily average of about $50 for the working days.
equal to 269 $50 year; the communications sent to
about 40 daily, equal to l47IlO year; and the
cases actually decided by the Postmaster General to
4S daily, equal to 1904 year.
The magnitude of the work done by the Auditor
and his clerks may be estimated from the fact that
they examine and adjust the four quarterly accounts
Of each postmaster, making near 1900 accounts a
year, and the accounts of each contractor quarterly
or oflener, making about 1000 year; keeping the
of books required i'm this service closing each
year the accounts Of about 1900 x-postmasers and
carrying on the heavy correspondence growing out
of these extensive duties.
Herewith is an interesting statement of the First
Assistant, relative to mail transportation.
have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
AMOS KENDALL.
To THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT
October Is, 1887.
SlR: In compliance with resolution Of the House
Of representatives adopted on the LIST instant and
received by on the 5th, have the honor to sub.
init the following report:
lst The resolution asks for "the balances now on
hand, SO far ascertained 10 the credit of the De-
partment"
The Department has in bank, exclusive Of outsand-
ing warrants, $444, 629 Al
In the hands of postmaslers, reported 334,5sO 80