The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-22
Postal Arrange .nsn q.

IN winch tne American PuDHC taxes much lnteiesI
shows how literally and Justly the flour Genera
Post Office in regard to the postal arrangements be-
tween the two countries is viewed by portion OF the
British press. We must aid hope that this spirit
will operate the British government and will contrib
ute to remove all difficulties on this subject SO interest
ing to both countries:
The United States journals received by last mail contain
report by Mr.. Hobbie, the First Assistant Postmaster
General who lately visited Europe commissioned make
arrangements for facilitating the conveyance and delivery
by mall Of letters between the New and the Old World 1t
is an extremely clear and busnessli like document Il
ains distinct exposition Of that knotty and raveed at
fair, the postal system of Germany, and of the French
post office arrangements; also of what has been eff
ected, may yet be hoped to be effected towards esab
fishing satisfactory cooperation between the post offices
of these countries and America. But the important
part of the report this country is concerned is
Mr. Hobbies of the negotiations with Lords
Treasury arising Of the post office order OF 9Th
June.
Before proceeding explain Mr. Hobbies views of this
ORDER may be unadvisable show that he is far from
entertaining hostile disPara2ng opinions of this country
institutions. This will appear from what he says of
post office organization We have seldom more
frank cordial acknowledgment of foreign excellence
is contained in the following passage of Mr. Hobbies re-
port
"Your instructions made it part of my duty examine
into the operation OF other office systems abroad,
ascertain what improvements might be transferred
own When London, especially upon my first VISIT and
when my time could NOT be made available upon the bust
that called me there, employed it chiefly in making
| those examinations Every facility was granted me tor
purpose For this feel greatly indebted the courtesy
of Col Mabery, the able secretary Of the British Post Office
and in making Acknowledgements for the kindness shown
giving information, Icannot refrain from naming another
little known from his official position but OF distinguished
reputation the successful protector of the penny postage
reiorm-Rowand Hill. Their mode of mailing, bagging,
iorwarng and deiveringthelr forms OF post bills, and
accounts and mode of rendering them and
their of contracting for mail conveyance,
tirey different from ours. They have-what never be
onged TO establishments registration OF letters Ia fee
being paid for that purpose0 the better prove and trace
Them through the mails and money order office, 10
upersde remitances of small through the mails by
providing for the receipts of depos,es postoce
and the payment OF the amount another upon commits
allowed for that purpose the operations of which, for
Tie last year, extended to the aggregate amount OF
ETA l6 4j3 sterling have space the close OF this
report TO enter upon description OF the peculiar features
OF the British post administration. the superiority of
which renders 1t TO refer to Others dis
the pracucabiY and exPedency of ENGRAVING them
upon system These will be reserved subject of
| a second report"
Well, this candid and goodnaured appreciation of Brit
ish merit narraes his and Mr. Bancros negotiations with
the British treasury, in effect follows The first American
arrived Southampton the 10Th of June
last On the 9th of that month order was issued by the
English Post Office posing the British packet postage of
sterling for each letter Of half ounce, and I'd Tor each
newspaper brought in the United States mails by the Wash
| tngton "Ths," says Mr.. Hobbe, "was chargeable as
well upon those destined for France those delivered
the United Kingdom and the postmaster in Southampton
vas required forward to London all mabags left by
he Washington without being opened The effect oil this
order was to subject all the letters and newspapers
oube POSTAGE and those addressed to France addition
delay by being taken OF the direct course to their
,Iaces of destination" The order required pre-
payment of the full packet rates OF the English Post
Office all letters and newspapers sent to the Uni
| ed States by the Washington. representation was
| Immediately made by Mr.. Bancroft. Subsequently
,oal convention proposed by the British government
nut could not be agreed because it was
.essary for Mr. Hobbe to return TO America On the ma
ure and of those negotiations, which still pending
l ho ,lioitl eyufoc houc
,een by the British minister's in their reply to
Mr. Bancros first communication, 'that this postage
imposed discriminating one, to protect the Cnnard
ean-shp mail nethat is, to induce the employment OF
hat line for the transportation OF letters, in preference
the American mail line, by enhancing the cost OF con
| eyanco by the latter.
We mus, confess that this conduct, and this avowa
he part of government eminently uncourteous
md uaendy, considering that the United States govern
nent enqu he'd their ship postage in respect of the
british and Canadian mails brought by the Cunard steam
RS 10 Boston, and transmitted thence St Johns and in
Il, other cases abaled il where the letter
be delivered elsewhere than the port Of arrival Il
vas ungracous say the least repay this friendly
.esson of the American government by which
| lad the effect of making the mails sent to Great
Britain by the Washington on its second trip nineteen
Der cent less than they were on the first trip and
| he postage forty-one per less. 1t impotc,
! or it was be expected that the American gov
,rnment would tamey submit to their ocean mail.
driven from the by protected English line
Retaliation" says Mr. Hobbie us Unavoidable III we
evy the same contribution the British mails which
hey exact from ours shall place the international mail
ervce equal footng and obtain of the maiLse
OF the British redress equal least the
FACTIONS forced from our own" That this is not mere
futynen, will doubt who has ondence
With Canadaat least the unsatisfactory state of the ii,
communicate with that colony, since the order Of the 9th
# June known in America to indicate that
iaton has begun And it is not only with America that
We shall have engage retaliaory struggle; FRANCE,
| Hobbies is az in
ured as the United by tho post office order of 9th
| rune and will be equally prompt to resent it,
Apart however, altogether from apprehensions of retaia
ION the policy of the order of the 9th OF June is seraby
hort sighted and impruden Ministers expect that
nher will allow establish monopoly Of ocean
nail transport. We lay with competition
wn and convenience, it is pretty certain that the
public will be benefited by such composition, Without
enying that mail transport, affected by char
tered companies is great advantage there be
10 doubt that the object might be effected efficiently
md less price There has been sse parliamentary
oqueting and obbing in the procuring parliamentary
rans aid of certain mpanes for carrying the
nails and these grants have enabled of the compa
put down the rivalry of private enterprise If pri
individuals could send their letters and newspapers
ither by an American English line, privileged
companies would be compelled seek the greater share OF
he by increased exertions be speedy puncua
md faithful in delivery, instead of treating the public with
supercous haufenr OF parties relying par
amenary grant. II is for interest, that the Amer
liners should continue mako Southampton their port
call between New York and Bremen, instead of select
ing harbor the other side Of the channel