The New York herald., 1845-08-07

| The FRANKING PRIvuEGE-Understan SAYS
the Washington Cnion that numerous applications
have been made to the Post Office Department for the
official Interpretation of the clauses in the Post office
law bearing upon the franking privileges Of Senators
py OF the following letter from the Second Assistant
Postmaster General which at elucdates the whole
subject -
Posr OrrrcE DEpARrnENr,
Appointment Office July -, lsi5 !
SiRYours Of the 18th instant to the Postmaster &c.
neral has referred to this office with directions
| answer the several inquiries therein made
The law recognises no distinction between Senator
and Representative in Congress- In relation to the
frankng privilege The meeting Of the Senate on the
4h Of March last is not construed TO session Of
Congress- and coners no right except to fix the senate
rial term during which any may transmit free OF
postage any documents printed by order either house
Congress- per gulation 539r Yourself and the
Senators standing over are authorised to "fank
written letters from yourselves" without ntermisson
until sixty days after the expiration of your respective
terms OF oice as per regulation 5l0 This privilege
does not enure to the Senator's who first took their seats
at the extra session in March last until within sixty days
OF the next session of Congress- they standing in this
elect "A Hspesen'au'e
senators ana representatives "may letters not
exceeding two ounces in weight free Of postage during
the recess of Congress- OF course this coners no pr
vege a tne present tme-a recess being construed to
two Congresses.
All other privileges which, you will perceive are
spechcally enumerated in the last clause of
o39 OF the printed instructions confined
session OF Congress including thirty dayr before and
have the honor to be- very respectfully, &c,
Hon. John Fairfield.
NoTE-The following are the regulations referred to
as being contained in the printed instructions of the
master General, and in the hands of the several
pestmasters:-
"5S9 The Vice President of the United States the
members OF Congress- the delegates from Territories
the secretary OF the Senate and Clerk of the House
Representatives, may transmit free Of postage doc
uments printed By order of either house Of Congress-
rms without restriction to the session; but the p
vlege expires with the official term. They may send
and receive free of postage, any letter, newspaper
packet not exceeding two in weight during the
session of Congress- and for period of rty days
fore the commencement and thirty days after the termi
nation, of each session.
$40. The Vice President and the members of Con.
gress, and delegates OF Territories may frank written
letters from themselves during the whole year.
authorised by act of March ls33 from sixty days
the meeting Of the next Congress.
OFFlClAL.-1o ALL WHOM MAY CONCERN
Satisfactory evlde-ce having been exhibited to me
that Theodore des Arts has been appointed Consul of
Hamburg for the port Of New York.
do hereby recognise him such and declare him
free toeXercise and enjoy such functions powers, and
privileges as are allow to the Consuls of the most m
vored nations in the United States.
In testimony whereof have caused these letters to
be made patent and the seal Of United States to be
hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand at the city of Washington the
4th day OF August A ID. Is Is, and of the indepen.
LIS dence of the United States of America the 10Th
JAMES X. Polk.
By the President:
J. y Mason, Acting Secretary of State.