The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-04

OH. Win ifuCu
communication which you did me the honor TO
make under date of 9th ultimo, and assure
you in advance Of my anxious desire not only
to correct the irregularities 10 which you refer,
in the transmission of the correspondence be-
tween the citizens of the two countries; but 10
adopt any regulations, consistent with my pow
ers, which may tend TO increase and give add
tonal facilities 10 such correspondence.
Ii is needless for me TO suggest TO you, sir,
who seem so well informed of the nature OF the
Congress has not authorized this Department 10
engage in the business of Transporting the
United States mail across the ocean.
The correspondence between citizens of this
country and those of the transatlantic powers
has, until recently, for the most part, been en-
sells. The establishment of the line of steam
ers between the United States and Liverpool.
and the more recent establishment OF a similar
line by your Government, has not only increas-
ed the speed, but the amount Of intercommunl-
cation and correspondence between the United
States and Europe, giving TO that correspon-
dence something of the character Of a regular
mail. Ii has consequently become a matter of
importance that the carriers should be protected
in the enjoyment of their rights, and at the
same time the letters and packages should have
all the security which the two countries can
give.
You express the desire o. the Began Post
Office, that all the CORES pondence from the
United States which shall be intended 10 be
forwarded by Belgian steamer, shall be ad-
dressed by the Postmaster of New York direct
ly to the Postmaster at Antwerp" &c.
In lieu of the mode suggested by you, one
equally as efficient, and better adapted 10 the
end designed, would be that Of an exchange OF
mail keys between the two countries, for the
offices at New York, Boston and Antwerp
destined for Belgium, and the adjacent powers,
would be mailed at New York and Boston for
Antwerp, with appropriate way-bills, the bags
locked, and delivered to the captain of the yes
sci. In this condition it would be delivered TO
the p Postmaster at Antwerp, who would then
open and distribute the contents according TO
the direction on each letter, charging and
collecting the postage fixed by the laws of
Belgium. The like course would be prac-
ticed in the mail from Antwerp to New
York and Boston, except that your Gov
eminent must require the postage to be pre-
paid. In this mode the correspondence be-
tween the TWO countries, and great portion of
Europe, will assume regularity and system.
suggest an exchange Of mail keys between the
two countries, to provide for contingency
which might happen, thereby requiring the use
of the mail locks of both countries.
Upon the other subject to which you have
called my attention, see more difficulty, and it
arises from the long practice in this country Of
sending via England letters destined for the
continent of Europe. am fully aware of the
difficulty which occurs upon the arrival in Lon
don or Liverpool of letters thus sent, and have
no doubt, when the Belgian steamers shall have
fully established themselves in the service, the
correspondence will necessarily seek that chan
mel as the most certain and direct 10 many of
the most important points of continental Eu-
rope.
1t is perfectly in the compe tency of the two
Governments of Belgium and England TO reg
uate this evil by an arrangement mutually ben .
eicial, assuming the fact to be that the commu-
nication between Liverpool and Antwerp is
frequent and direct. | may be pardoned, if |
suggest that an arrangement be made by your
government, with that of England, that the
British steamer shall take charge of letter bag
under lock, from New FORK and Bostoo, for
Antwerp. Upon the arrival Of this bag in Eng
land that it be forwarded TO Antwerp. The
Belgian steamers, on their passage to and from
this country, touch at Southampton. They
could in like manner take charge Of letter bag,
under lock, for that point.
In this way the mails between the United
States, England and Belgium would be iucreas-
ed. In other words those Governments would
have, without any additional expense double
line of mails.
II this arrangement should be made, it will
then become necessary that The post offices OF
England and the United States should exchange
mail keys at the appropriate points.
If the suggestions here made meet the appro-
baton OF Mr.. Bronze, they may be regarded as
the basis of The arrangement between this De
partment and that of Belgium
1t will give the undersigned great pleasure to
meet the views of the Inspector of the Belgian
Post Office upon the subjects and objects of his
commission, and to afford him every facility in
his power.
Accept, sir, the assurances, of my high re-
gard.
(Signed) c. A. WTCKLIFFE
An ex-member of Congress, or a member that
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