The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-12

creasea An such manner A. imposed upon me the
sty ofsuspending the contracts. Nor 10 the eAtavs
CANT price demanded for mail transportation upon ia
roads the only manner in which these incorpcraons
affect the revenue of this Department. Inc iacies
secured BY this mode ofconveyance for sendng e'eIs
by private hands very seriously diminish the receps
Of Offices upon these routes. single ILLUSTRATION
VIII establish this assertion. :,
Boston 10 one Of the most important points OF ran
road concentration in the Union Its business pros
perity u proverbia and yet in that city the quarter
ending Sit March last shows, as compared WIN ING
corresponding quarter Of the year before, decrease
In postage receipts Of three thousand hundred ana
ninefyfpe d0iidrs--being double the amount OF dim
mutton 70 be found within the time in any other
post ofce 10 the nation with the single exception Oh
Philadelphia which Is another great terminus of rail-
road communication.
These facts presented in spirit of unkindness
towards those to whose management these incorpora-
tons entrusted, but that have considered II due
to whole people TO refer this subject, as one
which will ere long call for national and State egis-
laton, unless corrective be applied by public
opinion.
A considerable saving will be found in the cuitail-
ment Of service generally directed by my immediate
predecessor in limiting the transportation Of the mails
to six trips. week upon most of the routes through
out the nation. The embarrassed condition Of the
finances of the Department if i was TO remain unaid
ed by Government clearly indicated the propriety Of
some reduction Of service and the religious sense OF
the community will certainly approve the feeling that
selects the Sabbath as the day which that service
should not be performed. Yet it cannot be denied
that this order has borne heavily upon contractors and
in many instances causes great arrangement in the
transportation Of the mails
Whilst in some sections Of country this atera-
ton has not only received cheerful acquescence but
is warmly approved there has been great general com
plant of operation and daily appeals for the old ia
cilities are pressed upon the Department. Without
entering upon this subject at large it is sufficient for
my present purpose state that this order purports
to have been given to reduce the expenses of the De-
partment, and to aid in bringing them within its re-
ceips, return tn the former service, at this time
might well be considered declaration of my con-
dence in Its ability to sustain the expenditure neces-
sary for such restoration have therefore felt it inn
perative upon me to adhere TO this order Of curta
ment.
The building now being erected for the General
Post Office far advanced as TO give assurance that
it can be completed before the session of Congress in
December ms is much to be desired, not only fol
the convenience of the transaction of business, bui
that the public property may be kept in security
Such means within my power are continually
employed protect the present building from fire. but
in It's exposed condition the danger of destruction "a
the books and papers of the Office is source OF con-
| slant anxiety.
All which is respectfully submitted
FRANCIS GRANGER.
To the PRESIDENT of the United States.