Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-12-10

tHOH ~ OirSOu, - uc " CouutCt VIII tue
mail 10 Chagres across the Isthumus; and for five
steamers to be employed in like manner 10 Liverpool
These steamers will be the property OF the contractors
but TO be built under the superintendent of naval
commissioner, in the employ Of the navy department,
and TO be constructed 10 render them convertible
at the least possible expense, into war steamers of
the first class.
prescribed number of naval officers as well as
post Office agent is 10 be on board Of them, and
thory Is reserved to the navy department at all times
to exercise control said steam ships, and to have
the right to take them for the exclusive aud
vice of the United States by making proper compen-
satiOn To the contractors Therefore, whilst these
steam ships will be employed in transporting the mails
of the United States coastwise upon annual COM
pensaton to be paid to the owners they will be ready
upon emergency TO be converted into steamers,
and the right reserved take them for public use,
will add greatly to the efficiency and strength Of this
description of our naval force.
To the steamers thus authorized and under instruc-
tons made by the Secretary of the Navy, should be
added five other steamers authorized under contract,
made in pursuance of law by the Post Master General
making an addition, in the whole, of eighteen
steamers, subject to be taken for public USE As far
Their for the transmission of mails foreign
countries must be authorized by Congress, the num-
Der may be enlarged indefinitely.
The enlightened policy by which rapid commune
cation with different points Of the globe, by means Of
American built steamers would find ample compen-
sation In the increase of commerce, and In max
ing our country and its resources favOrably known
abroad. But the national advantage is still greater
of having naval officers made familiar with steam
navigation, and Of having the privilege of taking the
ships already equipped for immedlae service at
moments warming, and would be cheaply purchased
BY the compensation to be paid for the transportation
of the mail In them, and above the postage
ceived.
A Just national pride, no less than our commercial
int tho
toned, augmenting the number of this description of
vessels. They be built in our country cheaper
than In any other country in the world.
! | refer to tie accompanying reports of the Post
Master General for detailed and satisfactory account
of the condition and operations of that department
for the past year.
1t is gratifying to find that in so short time after
the reduction of the of postage, Notwithstanding
the increase of mail SERVICE the revenue received for
the year will be sufficient to pay all expenses and
further aid will be required for that purpose.
The first Of the American steamers authorized by
the act of the Sd of March, 1915, completed and
entered upon the service the LIST of June last, and
is now on her third voyage TO Bremen and other in
termediate ports The other vessels authorized I'M
der the provisions of that act in of con-
struction, and will be put upon the line as soon as
completed Contracts have been made for the trans
portation of the mail In steamers from Charleston to
Havana.
a TeclPfOCdl uDu satisfactorily pustdl arrangement
has been made by the Postmaster General, with the
authorities of Bremen and difficulty is apprehend-
ed in making similar arrangement with other pow
ers with which may have communication by mail,
except Great Britain.
On the arrival of the American steamer, bound to
Bremen, at Southampton, in the month of June last,
the British Post Office directing the collection of dis
eliminating postage all letters and other maiabe
matter to Great Britain, which went in the British
Post Office, on their way to France other parts of
Europe. The effect of the order of the British Post
Office, is TO subject all letters and other matter to
double postage, one postage having been previously
paid on them in the United States while letters trans
ported on British steamers are subject to pay but
single postage This measure was adopted for the
avowed object of protecting the British line of mail
steamers now running between Boston and Liverpool,
and, If continued, must speedily put end to all
transportation of all letters and other matter by Anne
rcan steamers, and give the British steamers mo-
nopoly of the business. just and fair reel procity
all that we DESIRE and this we must insist. By
our laws, no such discrimination Is made against
British steamers bringing letters into ports; but
all letters arriving in the United States subjected
to the same rates of postage which are brought IN
British and American vessels.
refer you to the report of the Postmaster-General
for full statement of the facts in the case and of the
steps taken by him to correct this inequality. He has
exerted all the powers conferred on him by the exist
ing laws
The Minister of the UnitedStates in London has
brought the subject to the attention of the British go
vernment and is now engaged in negotiation for the
purpose of adjusting reciprocal postage arrangements
which shall be equally Just to both countries. Should
he fail III concluding such arrangements, and should
Great Britain insist enforcing the unequal and I'M
Just she has adopted, it will become neces
sary TO confer additional power GU the Postmaster
General IN order to enable him to meet the emergen
cy, and to put our own steamers on an equal ooiIng
with British steamers engaged in transporting the
mail between the two countries.
In view OF the existing state OF our country, L
trust 1t may not be inappropriate to call to mind The
words of wisdom and admonition of the first and most
Ilusrlous OF predecessors in his arew ell address
to his countrymen. This greatest and best of men
who served his country long, and loved it so muc
foresaw with serious concern the danger to our Uni
on in characterizDg parties by geographical dstlnc-
tions, Northern, Southern, Atlantic and Western,
whence designing may endeavor 10 excite belief
that there is real difference of local interests and
views and warned his countrymen against it.
So deep and solemn his convictions OF the Importance
Of the UnOn and Of preserving the harmony OF he different
parts that he declared his countrymen in that address, it
is of infinite that you should properly estimate the
immense value OF your national union to your collective and
individual happiness that you should cherish CORDIAL ha-
bitua and mmovable attachment to it, accuStOmng your
selves to think and speak Of il as the palladium oil your po-
ca safety and prosperity watching for its preservation
with jealous anxiety, dcoUnenancing whatever may su
gest suspicion that it in event be abandoned,
and Indignantly own the first dawnng of every attempt
ALLEVIATE any portion Of county from the rest, or 10
eneebe the sacred ties which link together the various
parts.
After lapse of half century these admonitions fall
upon with all the force of truth Ii is difficult To- esii
mate the immense value of glorious Union of confed
Grated States TO which much Indebted Tor our
growth population and wealth. and for all that constr
utes us great and happy nation UnmPorlan are all