Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-12-15

r;ment lam Of opinion il can he secured upon most
If not all of the important roads reasonable terms
and with ample guarantees
Il is 10 part Of the business o! ths Department :
sneak of the Elects which such conTac's WIN '''
railruad companies would produce upon ra"fc ciso'
ho,b a, home and abroad The effects, whatever ihel
NAV BIZ for coot but incidental to The great onec
10 DO attained in reference 10 tie na'l service OF '
q. s.
Entertaining these opinions upon the SUBJECT pray
ynu to allow ;mc most respectfully TO press Them upon
your cons iderat!on
Public opinion seemed so strong in favor of reduc
ton of postage Upon letters that 1t could be rega'd'
in no other light, than demand upon lnose haV't
the power over THIS subject have felt It's ini!uence
hut have been unwilling 10 nc, uuaGvsedy in any re
CONNIE ndation might make upon The SUBJECT i. WI
be remembered, that England recently redcced he
rates Of postage The effect upon tie revenue, ane
upon the amount OF mail matter, was anxious i"
know For this and other objects connected win Inc
operations of this Department., awaited myself Oh Tx
services OF General Green, IN November last, WIZ
vas about TO Wis.,, England and France upon private
business and instructed hm 10 make certain Iavestga
lions and inquiries. The result, OF lis investigation:
my be seen BY reference 10 hrs report TO me- copy
which accompanies THIS
Tine dissIm,liarliy in the government OF the two
countries as well the difference IN the extent OF Ter
ritory induce 10 doubt whether The same system 81
NAL aud rates of postage could be safely adopted
in the United States.
One fact, however clearly developed by the rePor'
of General Green, that since the reduction OF postage
IN England, the number OF letters naileu bas gfe"y
increased furbcar 10 trouble you with any parncu-
lar suggestions upon tins subject because 1t has been
duty devolved upon me by resolution oil lie senate
to make tina, body specific report upon an alteration
of the rates of postage, which purpose TO 90 Al aS
early day practicable.
IL will be seen reference 10 part ct the report oil
Mr. Green that the French Government is anxious to
make treaty with the 5 f,r an interchange OF mat!
service by the agency o. packets and steamships oil Tue
Two countries
You will remember this subject brought to your
attention hy the Munster Of France during The last SEES
sion of Congress /, submitted by you 10 Congress
as worthy OF considerations and requiring SPECIFIC
legislation #, IN the opinion OF that bedy, such an
arrangement would prove advantageous TO The u. .
The Committee Foreign relations made report Ia
yorable TO The measure end tie House oil Representa-
lives adopted the following resolution:
THAT the presldrn, L. $ be requested to cause
10 be prepared and ported Ia tins House, by the 81
cte,aries Of State and OF The Navy al the commence
uent Of the next session Of Congress- plan Tor the
establishment, IN concert with the Cove rhment Of
France of line cf weekly steamers between the ports
of flavre and New York. together with estimates OF the
expense which may be required to carry Inc SAID pan
into effect.
Tha, portion OF Mir Green's report, and the accom-
panyine documents submitted under the belief that
i ay servceabe To pince before Congress The out
lines Of the plan contemplated by the french Hovern
ment.
In the mon, Of August last. caused To 10 es,abl sh
ed and put into op. ration City Despatch Post for The
city of New York, confined 10 the delivery, through lie
post ice oil tina, cty, of the correspondence within
its limits en- cra;;.ied to know that its operations
have proved highly satisfactory TO the community,
giving to the ci;zens prompt and cheap medium OF
conniunica;ion, the income Of which viii not only
MAINTAIN the expenses OF the establishment, hut IN The
course Of tine promises considerable addition TO the
revenue of the Department.
tb pn or NppyN orE is
subject 10 submitted order that lis details may be
more generally. known; and when understood, have
little dnu; that The other large cites ct the Union WI
call for similar establishment Its usefulness hns
been fully tested in New York. by the saving ola heavy
daily expense OF money and time I" the business com
munlty IN ,ieir city correspondence
The amount OF expenditure for The current fiscal
wear for the service al this Department, may be stated
By wav OF estimate, in round numbers al 1880 600.
THIS estimate uss not include the probable expense
or The nav routes established BY Congress at the las,
session. none OF which have YET been put IN operation
The probable cost of these routes per year wall be
$4,000, making the whole estimated expense oil
Sij20,000.
Any estimate or the income from postage during The
present wear must Of he altogether nectura
founded upon The amounts received Tor the year ending
June, sig.
The amount received the quarter ending goth Sep.
TENDER last less than The amount OF the correspond
ing quarter of 1871; and therefore conclude the IN
come of the Department for the current year will fall
considerably short Of ha, for the year ending 3Olh
June ]. H. however my intention TO pa; these routes
IN oocration bv the time specified ~ the act And az
there is no discretion vested in the Department. by the
act, If fad i,s MEATS vii! rot be otherwise equal TO
The additional expense, ii anil become my unpleasant
duty 10 curaii the upon routes already IN cx
is,ence equal the oil the peremptorily
ordered 10y Congress-
There are other matters Of detail requiring, in
rny Judgment, the legislation Of Congress, WHICH for.
bear 10 o5rndc upon ycnr attention, but Will seek The
opportunity submit 10 the Committees 10 whom tie
affairs Of this Department may be referred
have the honor To be. with great respect your Ex-
celencys obedient servant, ,,,.