The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-11
Major Hobbies Speech at Bremen.


We find in paper published in Bremen, Germany, a
gratifying notice of the postal arrangements with this
country, and sketch OF the speech delivered by Major
obbie at dinner given by the burgomasters, senator's.
and aldermen of Bremen the occasion of the arrival
of the u s. steamer Washington, We subioin trans
ation
We need not say that heartily respond 10 the sentl-
mens contained in the editorial of the Weser Gazette,
which precedes it. is very clear that the English are
| unfortunately DESTROYS of monopolirmg-as they have
exclusively enjoyed for the last eight yearsthe carrying
of all mail matter between the United States and Europe,
or the Post Office Department would not have transmitted
order TO Southampton to charge IL pence each half
ounce letter sent ashore from seam-vesse She
our letters with heavy tax for entrance merely as
she charges for conveyance from Boston to Liverpool
OF this berality we have to complain, partic-
uarlv when we see the British government guided in
some instances by generous sentiments in making postal
arrangements with the continental States of Europe
This is revival of the policy, with respect to naviga
on pactsed by England before succeeded in achiev
Ing our independence, and which forced her by re-
taliaton to abandon McCulloch says:
cater the North American colonies had succeeded in
establishing their independence they about framing
code of navigation laws the model of those ofhis
try. Among other regulations OF restrictive character, it
enacted that all foreign vessels trading the United
States should pay half dollar, which afterwards
raised dollar per duty beyond what was paid by
ships and further that goods imported in foreign
vessels should pay duty Of ten per and above
what paid on the description OF goods imported
in American vessels. This avowedy directed against
the vigaon laws of Great Britain
This retaliation had the desired effect; and vessels
with their cargoes after placed upon the same
footing as related to the direct carrying in British ports,
her own A reciprocity was thus commenced in naviga
ton which has continued ever since.
To protect ourselves we to old weapon
and we can use effectively in the present than
in the former instance is the opinion OF distinguished
statesmen that we should all letters brought by Brit
sh steamers uness the order referred to be speedily
scinded "A cents in addition the postage exact
ed This is believed be necessary for the success Of
our mercantile steamers which are beginning TO ply be-
tween our ports and the ports of central Europe The
object OF the line to Bremen was to extend our
commercial relations with Germany. That object should
not be thwarted If forced to discriminate IN
favor of our flag shall carry all letters and other COM
muncatons, the exclusion OF the British, from the
continent, and large proportion from England We
have everything gain-nothing to loseby resorting
to this step,
the Weser zetung
New CHANNELS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, speed,
and freedom in the medium of intercourse is the great
password of those efforts which, in the material prosper
ty of nations, furnish the most powerful lever and the
safest security for the rapid progress OF civilization
Amongst the means of intercourse the institution OF
postal arrang demands prominent attention; and II
made so to those three principal requirements
they must produce the most active interchange OF IDEAS
and of merchandise, and bestow upon the human race
the greatest benefits Principally is this the case when
two distant parts of the world CATER having suffered the
restrictions of opposing monopoles now desire reclp
roca and direct intercourse decisive step has already
been taken towards the emancipation Of the German
American postal intercourse. Major Hobble, one OF
the principal officers of the American Post Offce
Department came to Germany last summer for this
particular and important object; and he found at Bre
men most welcome reception, and ready support
for this far-sghted project OF the Washington cab
net The basis Of agreement was therefore here set
tied upon by which the Bremen post office undertakes
TO distribute the mails for the whole of the northern an
eastern Europe and after the completion OF the railroad
lines with Trieste for all the points along the Mederra
Sea to Constannope, and to Alexandria and even
The result and advantages of this important plan or
the accomplishment of which other remaining German
States were be consulted and to which several have
already partly consented, and which will, without doubt
be fully regulated at the next impending postal conyen
ton) Would be, for example: German settler In Wis-
| consin Iowa. or some other remote State OF America,
would be enabled to place his letter. paid or unpaid into
the post office Of his village OF his neghborhood and
be perfectly satisfied that the Post Once Department VIII
expedite the with despatch and safety to his friends
in the remotes part OF Siesa, or OF the Black Forest
This intercourse for both countries of so vast an i'm
porance will be withdrawn from the inteposition of
Great Britain, upon which country that intercourse has
been heretofore dependent.
Upon the importance of this closer and more simple
postal arrangement between the countries, without
the mediation of England, Major Hobbie, at festive
cason, made known his ideas in an address which is
well worth communicating.
After responding the speeches and sentiments given
in honor oil the President of the United States, and the
head of the American post office, and acknowledging the
attentions and courteses that had been shown he said
4 IT. al for tpf thu
arrival of the Washington, and the establishment of the
line of steamships which was to unite both countries IN
closer relations of business and intercourse Though
stimulated by this the sentiments expressed,
he was satisfied had their root in deeper ieeings-ln a
sincere interest in the welfare of nation with which
such large portions of German people were uniting their
own desnies-in the affeconate regard which the anl
ties of race and the ties of kindred could not fail to da "
towards the American shoresani in those moral and
intellectual sympahes, in the cause of human progress
and Improvement which the rapid developments IN the
! New World must awaken He satisfied that what
had been said from the heart; and the heart recip
rocated it.
Having spoken of the steamer line from New York to
Bremen he presumed it would not be undressing to
glance at its history. 1t would afford him the pleasing
opportunity of presenting to the company that 1t
would CRAFTY them TO hear He referred to the passage
of the act OF the American Congress, authorizing the
Postmaster General to establish steamship mail line TO
any European port portsthe proceedings OF the Post
Office Department under that awihe early prediction
of Colonel Johnson for Bremen the European terml
nus of the linehis final selection OF 1.-THE concurrence
of the highest executive authoriy-tne SUBMISSION OF
the Postmaster Generals decision to the review OF Con-
gress-and the ratification of it by that body We see,
he said, by whose decision the line was established
But who first suggested this line that functonaIy Col