Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-12-15
Circular Letter to the Special Agents
of the Post Office Department.

Posi- OFFICE DEPARTMENT, Nov 4, lS4l
Sir-To the duties assigned you by any for
mer instructions, as special and confidential
agent OF this Department, desire TO add that
of strictly observing the manner in which the
Post Offices are kept in the section and along
The lines of route you may be called to inspect
and travel.
The Post Master General expects that every
Post Office, whatever may be lis importance,
shall be attended 10 or supervised by The depu-
~ postmaster The practice which, regret
TO learn, has obtained in many portions Of the
United States, of one man holding the commits
sion of postmaster while another discharges It's
duties, must be stopped and when such cases
fall within your knowledge, desire that they
shall be made the subject of special report.
Great carelessness in the opening and keep
ing the mail in insecure places, and permitting
persons other than the postmaster or his own
assistants, 10 have access to the same when
opening or after it is opened, has been charged,
in general terms, upon many of the small ewns
and villages. This evil must be corrected, and
when you have evidence of the fact, il is ex-
pected you will make it known TO the Depart
men,, that the only efficient remedy may be
applied. | will not continue in office those
who will not themselves give their time and
attention 10 the discharge of its duties, or who
violate or suffer violations of the rules of the
Department in opening and distributing the
mail.
1t is also desirable that you observe the de-
partment Of all carriers and drivers of mails,
and report any misconduct arising from wiful
negligence or carelessness and inattention, TO
their employers and 10 The Department
Many complaints have been made against
the agents or travelling postmasers on railroad
routes you are expected 10 observe the con-
duct Of such as may fall within the range of
your supervision.
Information has been communicated TO this
Department that drivers and carriers Of the mail
on the more distant and more unimporlanl
routes, are in the habit Of carrying letters in
violation Of law, thereby lessening the income
of the Department. As this may be doue in
ignorance of the law, you viii inform and in
siruct the contractors 10 charge the carriers
and drivers not 10 violate The law in this partic-
ular The act Of lS25, section 20, directs that
all carriers shall deliver such letters, whether
sealed or unsealed, 10 the first Post Office at
which they arrive after receiving them, and the
postmaster is directed TO rate and charge the
| postage
If you become satisfied that any Post Office
is not of public utility, and not required for The
public accommodation, you will report that fact
and The reasons for the opinion.
Upon the active exertion and vigian super
vision of the special agents ofthis Department,
mainly depend the regularity, security and eff
cheney of mail transportation, and cannot too
strongly impress upon you the importance and
/ high Responsibility of your stations. 1t is TO
you The Postmaster General must look for ac-
curaie information upon all subjects pertaining
TO the outdoor operations of the Department
Give me your efficient aid, and do not despair
of making the Post Office Department eminent
| Iy useful and popular.
Very respectfully,
c. A. WICKLIFFE.