Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-12-15

/ The effect of the order Of the British
Post Office is to subject all letters and other
matter transported by American Steamers
TO double postage, our postage having been
previously paid on them to the United
States, while letters transported on British
Steamers are subject to pay but single post
age. This measure was adopted with the
oyowed object of protecting the British
Line OF Mail steamers, now running be-
tween Boston and Liverpool, and if permit.
| ted to continue, must speedily put an end
to the transportation Of all letters and other
matter by American steamers-and give
to British steamers monopoly of the busi-
ness. 49,
A Just and a fair reciprocity is oil that
we desire and on this we must insist. By
our laws no such discrimination is made
against British steamers, bringing letters
into our ports. But oil letters arriving in
the United Stares are subject to the same
rates of postag whether brought in Brit
ish or American vessels. | refer you to
the Report Of the Post Master General for
q full statement Of the case, and of the steps
taken by him to correct the Unequal ity.
He has exerted all the power conferred
upon him by the laws. .......z.
The minister of the United States has
brought the subject to the attention of the
British government, and is now engaged
in negotiations for the purpose of adjusting
reciprocal postal arrangements which shall
be equally just in both countries.
Should he fail in concluding such ar
rangements, and should Great Britain in
sist on enforcing the unequal and unjust
- ,lo se
necessary to confer additional power on
the Post Master General in order to enable
him to meet the emergency, and put our
own steamers on an equal footing with the
British steamers engaged in Transporting
the mail between the two countries, | re-
commend that such powers be conferred.
In view ofth existing state Of our coun-
try trust it may not be inappropriate, in
closing this communication. to call to mind
the words of wisdom and Of admonition of
the first and most ilustrious of my prede-
cessors, in his farewell address to his coun-
trymen.
That greatest and best of men, who
served his country SO long, and loved it SO
much, foresaw with serious concern the
danger to our Union of characterizing par
ties by geographical Determinations
Northern and Southern, Atlantic and Wes.
tern, whence designing men may endeayor
to excite belief that there is real differ
ence Of local interests and views-and
warned his countrymen against it.
So deep and solemn was his conviction
Of the Importance Of the Union, and Of pre-
serving harmony between its members,
that he declared to his countrymen in that
address-sIt is of infinite moment that you
should properly estimate the value Of your
National Union-to your collective and in
dividual happiness, that you should cherish
cordial, habitual and immoveable attach
ment to it, accustoming yourselves to think
& speak'of it as the Palladium of your polit-
ical safety and prosperity-watehing for its
with jealous anxiety, discoun-
whatever may suggest even a
suspicion that it can in any event be aban-
doned-and Indignantly frowning upon the
first dawning of any attempt to ALLEVIATE |
any portion Of our country from the rest,
or to enleeble the sacred ties which now
link together the various parts" -.~
After the elapse Of half century, these
admonitions of Washington fall upon us
with all the force of truth 1t is difficult
to estimate the immense value OF our union
of confederated States to which we are so
much indebted for our growth in population
and wealth, and for all that constitutes US
a great and happy nation. Unimportant
are all our differences of opinion, on mi
ner questions of public policy, compared
with its preservation, and how scrupulous-
ly should we avoid agitating topics which
may lend to distract and divide us into con-
tending parties-seperated by geographic.
cal lines, whereby it may be weakened or
endangered:
Invoking the blessings of the Almighty
Ruler Of the Universe upon your delibera-
tions, it will be my highest duty, no less
than my sincere pleasure, to cooperate
with you in all the measures which may
tend to promote the honor and enduring
welfare Of our common country,
JAMES K. POLK.
WAS H1NGToN CITY, Dec. 8, 1e47.