Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-07-15
TPuBLIc-No. SOL

AN ACT TO amend the provide the transportation Of
the mail between the United States and foreign countries
and Tor other purposes.
Be enacted 6y The S,afe and House Of Representatives
Of te United States If Ameisa Congress GsseaJId That
the Postmaster General under the direction Of the President
of the United States, be and he hereby authorized and
powered to charge uJn and collect rom all letters and other
mailabe matter carried from any port of the United
States in any foreign packet ship other vessel the
rate or rates Of charge for American postage which the Gov
eminent to which such foreign packet other vessel belongs
imposes upon letters and other maabe conveyed
from such foreign country III American packets other
ses the postage of such Government and any
revoke the Aud shall be the duly Of all
house officers and other United States agents designated
appointed for that purpose, 10 enforce carry into effect the
foregoing provision, and aid assist in the collection Of
such postage And to that end shall be lawful for such
officers and agents, suspicion of fraud, open and
anime the presence Of two respectable persons
being citizens of the United States any package packages
supposed contain aiabe matter found on board such
packets other vessels elsewhere, and prevent If
cessay such packets other vessels from enteng break
ing bulk making clearance until all such letters or
naable matter duly delivered into the United States post
Office
sEc 2. And be 1t further enaced, That all letter. or
other maiabo matter conveyed to from any port Of the
United SAes by any foreign packet ship, except such
called letters relating TO said ship vessel any part of
the cargo thereof may be directed the owners
consgnee consgnee Of said ship other vessel shall be
subject postage charge Aforesaid whether addressed
any person The United States elsewhere Provded
is done by the packet other ship Of foreign country
imposing postage letters maabe conveyed
from such country, by packet other ship Of the United
States carried in foreign packet ships other vessels except
such unsealed letters relating to the ship vessel any
part Of the cargo thereof may be directed the
owners conssnee consignees, aforesaid and such
letters other maabe matter hereby required be
delivered into the United States post office by the
commanders of all such packets other vessels when
arriving, and TO be taken from United States post Office
when Departing and the postage paid thereon Justly chsigea-
kla ,rf hts and rofao IL
conveying said letters the United States any
letters intended be conveyed in any ship vessel Of such
foreign country, any portion thereof the party offending
shall conviction forfeit and pay not exceeding five thou
sand dollars for each offence.
Ssc. 3. And be Il further enacted, That in the
person persons, the directors Of any incorporated
pany who have entered into any contract or who NAV
hereafter into any with the Postmaster Gen.
ers for conveying the mail Of the United States any for
cign country in pursuance of the entitled " An
provide for the transportation Of the mail between the United
States and foreign countries and for other PURPOSES, ap
proved the third day Of March, eighteen hundred and forty
five, or otany other act in which said there is
stipulation 90 the part Of such contractor, giving to the
United states the right purchase, appraised value,
the steamship ships required by such be
ploycd IN conveying the mall shall decline sell and deliver
TO the United States such ship ships, shall refuse to
and appoint appraisers value the same agreeay
the provisions Of said act, the having appraised
and valued, shall refuse to convey and deliver said ship
ships 70 tne United States, on the payment, tender Of
ship ships may have been appraised and valued such
person Or persons, offending, shall forfeit sum not
exceeding one hundred thousand dollars be recovered in
eny proper action Tor the Of the treasury Of the United
Sises and IN Of refusal inability pay the same,
shall be liable TO be imprisoned exceeding year,
the discretion Of the court rendering judgment for such
penalty.
src and be further enacted, That, to secure the
regular transmission Of the mail and from foreign countries
the Postmaster General be and he hereby authorized and
required 70 impose nes contractors for any unreasonable
unnecessary delay In the departure OF such mails, in
the performance Of the trip ProUidd That the fine for any
one default shall not exceed half Of the price
paid for the trip.
SEc g. And be Il further enacted, That il shall not be
lawful for any contractor for transporting the mail to any
foreign country 70 assign transfer bis contracss and all
such assignments transfers shall be null and void Pro-
vded, That assignments and transfers, which have been
re'ay Of the Navy, before the passage Of this act shall not
be affected BY this section.
Approved, June ~, ls4s.