Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-01-14
NUMBER XVII.

fraudulent use of our flag by foreigners.
Recent experience has shown that the |
provisions in our existing laws which re-
late to the sale and transfer of American
vessels while abroad, are extremely defec-
tive. Advantage has been taken of these
defects to give to vessels belonging to for
eigners, and navigating the ocean, an ap-
parent American ownership. The char
acter has been so well simulated as TO af
ford them comparative security in prose.
cutting the slave trade, a traffic emphat-
ically denounced in our statutes, regard
ed with abhofrence by our citizens, and
of which the efectual suppression is no.
where more sincerely desired than in the
u. States. These circumstances make 1t
proper to recommend to your early atten-
ton careful revision of these laws. so
that, without impeding the freedom and
| facilities Of our navigation, or impairing
an important branch of our industry con.
nected with it, the integrity and honor Of
our flag may be carefully preserved. In
formation derived from our Consul at Ha-
vana, showing that the necessity of this,
was communicated TO committee of the
Senate near the close of the last session,
but too late, as it appeared, to be acted
upon. 1t will be brought to your notice
by the proper department with additional
communications from other sources.
The latest accounts from the Exploring
Expedition represent it as proceeding sue
cessfully in its objects, and promising re-
suits no less useful 10 trade and navigation
than to science.
| The extent of post roads covered by
mail service on the first of July last, was
about l33, 999 miles, and the first rate Of
annual transportation on them about 34,-
496, 1868 miles.
he number of post offices on that day
was twelve thousand seven hundred and
eighty, and on the thirteenth ultimo, thir-
teen thousand and twenty eight.
The revenue of the Post Office Depart
ment for the year ending with the 30th of
June last, four million, four hundred and
seventy six thousand six hundred and thir-
| ty eight dollars; exhibiting an increase
over the precedingi year of two hundred
and forty one thousand five hundred and
sixty dollars. The engagements and la
bilities of the Department for the same Pc
Rod are four million six hundred and
twenty four thousand one hundred and
seventeen dollars.
| The excess eff liabilities over the reven-
ue for the last two years has been met out
of the surplus which had previously accu-
INFLATED. The cash on hand on the thir-
tieth ultimo of the Department varies very
little from the rate ofcurrcnt expenditures.
Most of the service suspended last year
has been restored, and most of the new
routes established by the act of 18th July,
1898, has been set in operation at an an.
, nual cost of $136,663, Notwithstanding
the pecuniary difficulties of the country
the revenue Uf tho Department appears te
be increasing; and unless it shall be seri
} ously checked by the recent suspension q
payment by so many of the banks, it vii
, be able not only 10 maintain the rresen
mail service, but in short time to extene
it. Ii is gratifying to witness the prompt
! itude and fidelity with which the agent.
J of this Department in general perform
J their public duties.
) Some difficulties have arisen in relation
10 contracts. for the transportation of tht
mails by rail road and steam boat compan
les. 1t appears that the maximum of com
! pensation provided bv Congress for the
transportation of the mails upon rail road:
, is not sufficient to induce some of the com.
} panies to convey them at such hours as
are required for the accommodation of the
public. 1t is one Of the most importan
duties of the General Government TO pro
t vide and maintain for the use of the people
) of the States the best practicable mail es
) Enlistment. To arrive at that end it
? indispensable that the Post Office Depart
ment shall be enabled to control the hour
] at which the mails shall be carried owe
, rail roads as it now does over all othe
a roads. Should serious Inconvenience
: arise from the inadequacv of the compen
!. sation now provides by law, or from un
$ reasonable demands by any Of the raj
2 road companies, the subject is of such gen
eral importance as to require the promp
2 attention Of Congress.
: In relation to steam boat lines, the mos
2 efficient remedy is obvious, and has beef
: suggested by the Post Master General
The War and Navy Departments alrea
e dy employ steamboats, in their service, an.
t although it is by no means desirable tina
4 the Government should undertake TIL
i transportation of passengers or freight, Al
a business, there can be no reasonable oh
r lection 10 running boats temporarily,when
ever it may be necessary to put down al
7 temptss at extortion, TO discontinue as sool
I as reasonable contracts can be obtained.
The suggestions Of the Postmaster Gen
eral relative TO the inadequacy of the lega
: allowance to witnesses IN cases of pros
e ecutions for mail depredations, meri
: your serious consideration. The safet,
g of the mails require that such prosecution
e shall be efficient, and justice to the cit
zen whose time is required to be giyel
q to the public, demands not only that hi
e expenses shall be paid, but that he shal
receive d reasonable compensation.
+ The Reports from the War, Navy AM
e Post Office Departments win accompan,
Z this communication, and. one from th
Treasury Department presented to Con
gress IN a few days.
For various details in respect 10 til
matters IN charge Of these department.
!, would refer you to those important docu
9 nents, satisfied that you will End in ther
!. many valuable suggestions, which win b
) found well deserving the attention of tt
2 Legislature.
s From a report made in December
8 last year by the Secretary of State, to Ii