The New York herald., 1845-12-07

capitalists have manifested willingness engage in
the service the principal lines for the nett proceeds OF
the finances Of the department have deemed the mang
OF these contracts Of SO much importance that xed the
period for making them when Congress VIII be IN ses-
sion, that may be guided by such further directions
may think proper to give. when viii have iuilview
OF the case after the proposals are nado
The electro magnetic telegraph invented by Professor
Morse and put operation between the cities Of Wash
ington and Baltimore, uncsr appropriations made by
Congress, placed under the superntendence Of the
Postmaster General by clause in OF the approI
tion othe Sd Marca last II had been in Inc pre-
vous year under the direction OF the Secretary of the
Treasury but had been conducted with reference
to the testing OF its capabilities, and such experiments
as tended to perfect and improve its operations Ha
wing been transferred to the Post Office Depar .men
at once adopted regulations to bring il into constant
service as means of transmitting Intelligence acces.
sibe to all and prescribed the OF postage The
copy of the order, which accompanies this report,
marked No II, will show the regulations ond the rates
OF postage adopted One half Of the rates o. stage
suggested by Professor Morse was adopted by me under
the hope that it would greatly increa its revenues Il
went INTO operation ON the l Of April having expended
$3.50 l5 before the charge postage commenced fr m
the LIST OF April to the ls OF October the eApendi-
amounted So pa % making the whole expen.
d,ture SS9s Ia whilst the revenu the six months
amounted 10 the sum o. SAB ~
In ms ng tie expenditures Of his line the salary
of Professor Morse per aps ought to be added Il
was Ak by the regu aons of the treasury and conti
nued ia ,smates upon whi h the las sppropIiat
founded apd his time hiss IA devoted 10 the general
interests and mpr vements Of the tel graph and a
ton OF II ent in Eur pc, where in his judgment, it
could be more occ ssiuly cone than here.
deem il my duty 10 bring 10 your notice the fact that
the subject OF eleg aphc communications in its fullest
extent. made available by 'of this extra.
ordinary invention, is forcing itself upon the at
tention Of the public. The proprietors OF the patent
right securing the exclusive right Of the telegraph
have, since the last gress, takeu the most
tive measures 10 establish lines OF communication
between the principal cities Of the Union. Their
success will introduce of communicating intel
gence amply sufficient for great variety Of purposes
and greatly superior in despatch to those Of public
mails and must secure to itssIf much Of tho busness
pfaht ftsxh
to that extent diminish the Of the department
becomes, then, question OF great Importance, how
faI the government Will allow individuals TO divide with
II the business Of transmitting inelgencean mPol ant
duty conhjed to il by the constitution necessarily and
properly exclusive Or Will it purchase the teiegra h,
and conduct its operations for the benefit OF the pub
lie Experience teaches that il individual enter prise is
allowed perform such portions the business oil
government it may find for its Vantage the govern
meDt will soon be left to perform Improbable portions
OF only and must be driven to sbandon it entirely
carry It on at eavy tax upon the public treasury In
the hands OF individuals associations the Telegraph
become the most potent instrument the world knew
10 erect sudden and large speculaonsto rob the many
few. If permitted BY the government 70 be thus
held, the public can bave sccuuiy that 1t viii
not be welded for their injury rather than their
benefit. The op-ratono OF the telegraph between
this city and Baltimore has not satisfied me that m
der any rate OF posages that be adopted, its
nues can be made 70 equal its expenditures. Its
Importance TO the public does not consist any proba
BILE income that can ever be derived from it. But
agent vastly superior 70 other devised by the
genius OF man for the diffusion Of intelligence which
may be done with almost the rapidy OF lightning 10
transactions, TO individuals having the control of il,
or TO the government in time of could not he est
mated. The use OF an instrument poW eru for good
OF for evil cannot It'll safety the people, be left III
the hands OF private individuals uncontrolled by law
Very respectfully,
our obedient servant,