The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-12-24

first class.
A prescribed number Of naval officers,
as swell as post Office agent, is 10 be on
board of them, and authority is reserved
to the navy department, at all times to
exercise control over said steam ships,
and TO have the right to take them for the
exclusive use and service of the United
States by making proper compensation to
the contractors. Therefore, whilst these
steam ships will be employed in transpor.
ting the mails Of the United States coast
wise upon an annual compensation to be
paid the owners, they W ill be ready upon
an emergency TO be converted into war
steamers, and tue right reserved to take
them for public use, will add greatly to
the efficiency aud strength of this descrip-
tion of our naval force.
To the Steamers thus authorized and
under contracts made by the Secretary of
the Navy, should be added FIVE other
Steamers authorized under contracts
made in pursuance Of law, by the Post
Master General, making an addition in
the whole, Of Is war steamers subject to
be taken for the public use. AS further
contract for the transportation to the for
eign countries must be authorized by
Congress, the number may be enlarged
Indefinitely.
The enlightened policy by which RAJ
pid communication with distant part of
steamers would find an ample compe tition
in the increase of our commerce, aud in
making our country and its resources
more favorably knwon abroad. But the
national advance is still greater of having
our naval Officers made familiar with
steam navigation, and of having the privi-
lege ftaking the ships already equipped
for immediate service at moments warn
ing, and would be cheaply purchased by
the compensation to be paid for the trans,
porlation Of the mail in them over and
above the postage received.
just national pride no less than our
commercial interest, would seem to favor
the policy above mentioned, augmentin Z
the number of this description Of vessels.
They car be built in our country cheaper
than in any other country in the world.
] refer you to the accompanying report
of the Post master General for detailed
and satisfactory account Of the condition
aud operation of that department for the
last year. 1t is gratifying to frd that in
so short a time after the reduction of the
rates Of postage, and notw outstanding the
increase of mail service, the revenue re
ceived for the year will be sufficient TO pay
all expenses, and no further aid will be
required for that purpose.
The first of the American steamers au
thorized by the act of the 3d March, 1915
was repaired and en- cred upon the ser
vice on first day of June last, and is nov
on her first voyage TO Bremen and other
intermediate ports. The other vessel
authorized under the provisions Of tha
act, are in course of construction, ant
will be put upon the line as soon as com
pleted. Contracts have been made for
the transportation of the mails, in stea m
ers, from Charleston to Savannah.
A recipr ocal and satisfactory posts ar
rangement has been made by the Postmas
ter General with ,he authorities of Bre
men, and no dflicnty is apprehended il
making a similar arrangement VI ith othe
powers, with which we may have com
munication by mail Steamers, exc cop p
Great Britain. On the arrival of th
American Steamer at South Hampton II
the months of July last, the British Pos
Office enacted the collection of this dis
eliminating postages on all letters ant
other mailable matter to Great Britain
or which went into British Post Offices OF
their way TO France or other parts of En'
rope The effect fthis order Of the Bri
tish Post Oficeis to subject all letters ant
other mailable matter to double postsg
-one postage having been previously pait
on them in the United States. while let
ters transported on British Steamers are
subject TO pay but single postage.
This measure was adopted for he avow'
ed object of protecting the British line. o.
mail steamers, now running between B IS,
ton and Liverpool. and il continued, mus,
speedily put an end to the transportation
of all letters and other matter by Ameri
can steamers, and give British steamers q
monopoly of the business. A just and fail
reciprocity is all we desire, and on this
we must insist. BY our laws, no such dis
crimination is made against Rrttisl
steamers, bringing letters into our ports
but all letters arriving in the United
States, are subject to the same rates Of
postage, whether brought in British OF
American vessels. Irefer you to the re-
port Of the Post Master G General, for a full