The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-12-04

establish Post Offices and Post Roads, did not leave or In.
tend to leave, the power to be exercised enei 'ne
States or the People.
hevsry nature OF the power granted-the obj Ct b
be attained BY lis sxerciss-would indicate ceari, 4,
the language equivocal that II must be exclusiv~
The duties required 70 Be performed cannot well be per
pprvaies the whole sphere OF Post Office operations.
IL will not do tor Congress 10 await the decsi OF the
IN reg fried settled only by JUDICIAL decision,
but the legislation OF the country and scqaiesced IN b,
er Of punishment and restraint sufficient maintain thu
supremacy vi the laws OF the land aud suited 10 the
sen ndrion Of sfis. should at oce be- vested III the
cannot concur in the opinion have heard often
expressed that the only remedy Tor tits evil 70 re-
ducion OF postage There is no rate OF reduction
which prudent legislation can, a. this time. mike
that will prevent successful competition in the
carrying letters, by individuals Post Roads II
take the system whole, Government has convey
ed and Will convey letters cheap be done by
the nsodas,v %a are mt, 70 0c"py
can tran port letters cheaper these routes than the
No ru's Il revenue upon imported merchandise how.
ever low will prevent smuggling II the penal sanctions
OF the law against It be repealed
wnout iurther Legislation by Congress upon tins SUP.
Jec Is idle to expect the Department osustsin itself at
any rate OF posdg~ The faluIe 10 pass ssme act amen
daory OF the existing laws the last quad uPed
and efficient legislation this subject demanded BY
every consideration OF public policy.
Inc nature OF the and amount OF costs OF poT
tons OF the steamboat mail service particularly between
New Orleans sn Mobile and Charleston ard Wilmington
have fully impressed my mn that it would be sound
poicy both III q national economical point OF view
for the Government to authorize the construction Of
seamooa.s suited to this service be employed as mail
steamers la time Of peace and constructed that they
could IN time OF war be converted into portion OF the
marine defence OF our bsys and harbors.
The policy OF employing such vessels in the mail service
of other has been adopted May be the
part OF wisdom to profit by their e5ample7
Under existing laws the Postmaster General Is not
authorized to contract for porting the mail the
high Seas or beyond the limits ohe United States The
necessity and pubic utility Of regular mail between this
parent to all; and such mail would have been put in
operation BY me long SINCE If the power 10 do so existed
rates Of postage fixed by law.
This policy will be more obvious, il take into con-
sderaon the amount Of postage paid for letters which
now pass to and from the United States in foreign
vessels The number Of letters which are trans
tween Boston and Liverpool is about so 600 per
month, charged with postage Of $4,000. equal to
upon merican citizens and American commerce Would
It not be better that tn should be paid American
citizens thereby encouraging and sustaining American
enterprise and the American commercial MARINE than the
marine OF any foreign power.
Such power at this time peculiarly desirable should
the enterprise now in contemplation Of establishing
line Of American steamers between the United States and
Liverpool and Havre be contaminated.
Congress- at the last session passed resolution author
izng the Postmaster General to enter into regulations
with certain governments for the interchange Of mail
ys
proprated which would enable to send agent to
Europe to make the necessary Investigations and pre-
iimnary arrangements to into effect the intention
Of Congress. the only mode which seemed practicable
likely to accomplish the pu poses indicated to avail
myself OF thekind Offices of OF resident minis
tiers abroad To two of them Mr.. Everett, in London
and Mr. King, in Paris addressed communications and
submitted certain propositions with request they would
submit them in that mode most acceptable to themselves
to the Post ONCE departments Of the two governments
copies Of which accompany this report.
From Mr. King have received communication.
informing me that he had submitted the pc to the Post
Office Department OF France and he had to he.
ieve that this mode like it, would be acceded to
by that Government.
more simple arrangement could be made If the Post
master General vested with power execute and
issue sampsto be used foreign letters and authorized
to exchange stamps purchase them from foreign Go
vernments IT, during the session OF Congress- shall be
informed of the favorable result of the proposition sub
mtted shal submit to you to be communicated to that
body further communication with the plan in detail
suggesting such legislation may be deemed
to carry 1t into effect.
Respectfully, your obedient servsnt,
c. A. WICKLlFFE.