Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-01-02

ing Is hHoNn 10 nave occurred 10 impede @
modest the enterprise of our citizens en tina
element where it is SO S gnally Displayed
On learning this daring act of piracy, Com
modore Reed proceeded Immediately to TIN
spot, and receiving no satisfaction, either ii
the surrender of the murderers or the resto
ration of the plundered property, inflicted
severe and merited punishment on the bar
barions.
II will be seen by the report of the Score
tary of the Navy RESPECTING the disposition
of Our ships of war, that it has been deem.
ed Necessary TO station competent force on
the coast of Africa, TO prevent a raudulen
use Of our flag by foreigners.
Recent experience mas shewn that the pro
visions in our existing laws which relsie tc
the sale and transfer of American vessel.
while abroad, are extremely defective. Ad
vantage has been taken of these defects &c
give to vessels wholly belonging to foreign.
crs, and navigating the ocean, an up aren't
American ownership This character has
been so we'll simulated as ioadord them com
parative security in prosecuting the slave
trade, trailice emphatlcaly denounced in
our statues, regarded with adherence by
by our citizens, land of which the effectual sus-
pension is nowhere more sihcery desired
than in the United States. These circum-
acsgsfHake it proper TO recommend TO your
early attention careful revision Of these
laws, so that without impeding the freedom
and lacinies OF our Navigation, or impairing
an important brancc of our industry connect
ed with it, the integrity and honor of our
flag may be carefully preserved forma-
ton derived from our Counsel at Havana,
showing the ecessity of this, was commu-
Gated TO committee Of the Senate near the
close of the last session, but too late as it APP
peared, to ba acted upoa 1t will he brou ght
to your notice by the proper department,
with additional comm injections from other
sources
The latest accounts from the Exploring ex-
pedi,ion represent it as proceeding uccesslul-
ly in its objects, and promising results no less
useful to trade and navigation than to science,
+ The extent of post roads covered by mail
sservice the first of July last was about | 49,
r190 miles, and the rate of annual transport
tation upon them 81 Aft, S16 miles The
number of post Offices on that day was
twelve thousand seven hundred and eighty,
and on the thirtieth ultimo, thirteen thou
sand and twenty-eight.
The revenue of the Post Office Depart
ment for the year ending with the thrtieth
of June last was four million four hundred
ana seventy-six thousand six hundred and
thirty eight. dollafs--eXhibting an increase
over the preceding year of two hundred and
forty thousand i've hundred and sixty
dollars. The engagements and liabilities Of
the Department for the same period are foul
million six hundred and twenty four thou
sand one hundred and seventeen dollars
The excess of liabilities over the revenue
for the last two years have been met cut OF
the surplus which had previously accumu.
lated The cash on hand On the tlirtieth
ultimo, was about $20G, 70I 50, and the cur
rent income of the Department. varies very
little from the rate of current expenditures
Most of the serE :ce suspended last year has
been restored, and most of the new routes
established by the act of 9TH July, 1888
have been set in operation al III annual cost
of f;136 ,962. Notwithstanding the pecuni-
airy difficulties Of the country, the revenue
Of the Department appears 10 be increasing;
and unless it shall be seriously checked by
the recent. suspension of specie payment by
SO many Of the banks, it VIII be able not
only to maintain the present mail service
but in short time TO extend it.. 1t is grat-
flying to witness the pronptitudc and Gdeli-
ty with which the agents of this Depart
menu III general perform lheir pubic duties.
some diihculues nave arisen III relation 10 con-
tracts ior inc transportation oil the mails by rail
ioau ana steaihooat companies. IL appears that
the MAXIMUM oil compensation provided by Con-
gress Tor the transportation OF the mails upon e'
foads Is not suilcient TO ind"ce some OF Tie
companies 10 convey them at such hours a. are
required hr the accommodation Of the public.
u Is one o. The most important duties OF the
General Government to provide and maintain fcr
the use OF the people OF the Sfntes the best
pracucapie man cStaoiishmeht' 10 arrive at
tnat END II . inqispehsa9le tlat the Post ONCE
,op9fteht sllall DC enapled 70 control the hours
at which the mails shall be carried over railroads
az II now ooes over All oIhcr 10 as oh9uin Sc
rlous inconYenences arise from the inadequacy
OF the compensation now provided by law, or
from unreasonable demands by any OF the rail-