Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-10

offices and post roads dld mol ledfCi VI ii,n"
leave the power 10 lie exercised cIlhef ~ 'hc
Staes or The racple. -,
The yery nature OF the power graned--,he
objects 10 he attained by lis e1erclse-Woulu IL
dictate clearly il the language were egui'ccal
,ha, i, mus be exclusive. The duties required
10 be performed cannot we'll lie performed by any
other power Ihan that which, pyo nae rtce, per-
wade, tie " hoie sphere Of post office operations
Il viii rci 90 icr Congress 10 await he dec!'
sion of The Supreme Cour upon this question:
a question which has been regarded IS settled,
NO! onl; by judicial decisions. IN! The Legislation
of The county, and acquicsced in by the States
and he people for near half century. A power
OF punishmca; and restraint sufficient 10 main
tain the supremacy of the laws of The land, and
suited 10 the present condition oil affairs, should
at once he ve>cd in the Judiciary department
cannot concur in the opinion haVc hcalu
often expressed, ,a .hc only remedy Tor ihif e'ii
is reduction OF postage. There is 10 rate OF
reduction which prudent legislation can, al this
time. make. that will prevent successful competl-
lion in the business, Of carrying letter. hy intiTi-
lual. over posi- roads. II we lake the system as
:. whole he Government has Conveyed, and will
convey, letters as cheap rs i! can be done By in
dividIals Bat if private mails are permitted ~
occupy he mos productive routes, II Is conceded
tina; individuals can transport letters cheaper on
these routes lhan The Department.
No rate OF re:enrc upon imported merchan-
disc, however low, will prevent smuggling, il the
penal sanctions Of the law against II be repealed.
Without further legislation BY Congress upon
this subject, il Is idle 10 expect the Department To
sustain itself al any rate OF postage The failure
II pass some ACT amendaiory OF the existing laws,
d; the last session, quadruped The number of prl-
va,e mails then in operation. Prompt and eri-
10, II fnT I,1
every consideration Of public policy.
The nature NJ H. service and amount oi costs
Of portions of the steamboat mail service par,-
cnarir between New Orleans AMI Mobile, and
Charleston ara Wilmington, have fully impress
ed r.y mini ina; il would he sound policy, both
liz a national and economical point ofview, for
The Government 10 authorize TIE construction Of
Steamboats, suited 10 ri!s service, 10 be employed
a. mail steamers III nme OF peace, and so con-
strucied that ,hev cond, in time Of war. he con-
vercd int portion o! the marine defence OF our
bays ana harbor~.
Til. policy q employing such vessels in tie
mail service Of oier Governments has been
adopted. May i n. be the part of wisdom 10
prof; BY their eXarldel
Under EXISTING :av. tie Postmaster General
is ~, authorized - c,a,r1ci Tor Transporting tie
mai! I'll the high seas or beyond the limits oi the
United S.aies. The necessity and public utility
Of : regular mail between his country and Gu
In, ana Other foreign porls. must be apparent TO
all; and uch mail Wdld have been pu: in opera
ion b. me long sine, if the power 10 do so cX
istej. respectfully suggest the power 20 cen
trac, for he transportation cl mails 10 foreign
rors be authorizes, aid The rates Of postage fixed
by law.
This policy will hc more ob:ious, il We take
;rto considrra,ionihe amount CT postage paid Tor
letters which now pas, 10 and from the L. States
IN foreign rcsseis Tie number o! letters which
are transported in the Cunar! line Of steamers
alone, between Boston ana Liverpool, Is ABOUT
C0.c0O per month. ch;r.ed with : postage ol
$4,000 equal 20 ::leopj per annGm, The great
er part Of Which !; * H!on American citi-
2ens and American commerce. Would il not
he better tia: L +. S.'!G Alo;'d lie paid 10 imeri-
can ci.izcis. thereby cnc,uracin. and sustaining
American enterprise aadthe American CONNER
cial marac, than tae maine OF any foreign
power
Srch power II his inc i'reouliar!y desra-
be, shoold the enterprise now in contemplation,
al establishing I line Q. American steamers be-
tween the /. states and Liverpool and Have be
consummaied.
Compress attic lasi session, passed resolution
authorizing The Po>,masi,r-Gencr 10 enter iaio
rcenation> with certain governments for Tie
Interchange Of mail mdier and III. pre- payment
Of pos!ace On letters e and lrola The respective
countries. Not having the ncars appropriated
which would enable ~ 10 send an agent 10 En-
rope 10 make thr necessary Investigations and
preliminary arrangements 10 carry into effect the
Intention Of Con.res, he only mole which
seemed practicable or likely 10 accomplish the
purposes indicated WIS 10 avail myself of The
kind offices OF some Of orr resident ministers
abroad To ,wo Of tcm-Sir. Everett in Lon
don. and Mr.. King il Paris-l addressed CON-
nnnicaiions and submitted certain propositions,
with reques, that thy woud submit them, in
that mode most acceeatle 10 themselves, 10 the
Pos, Office Departments ofthc two Governments,
copies of which accompany this report.
From Mr. King lave received commune
cation informing me hnt he had submitted The
pop! 10 tic EoSt Otiip Department of France,
ana he had reason 10 relieve that this or some
mode like j; would BE- a:celed 10 By that Govern
!acnt.
i more simple arrangement could be made,
if the Postmaster GencEl was vested with pow
er 20 execute and issue stamps To he used on
foreign letters. and auforizcd TO exchange stamps
or purchase them lror foreign Governments
II. daring the session d Congress, shall be in
formed ot The iavorapc result OF the PROPOSE
ton submitted, shall ShGlii 10 you @ 5c con
municalci 10 that bod. further communica-
ton with the plan in dsa suggesting such l..
gslation as may be canned necessary 10 carry
il into effect.
Respectfully, your oteiienl servant,
G. y. WICkLlFFE.
Tolhe PRrsInrSr otthe United States