The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-09

pamphlets Each party is TO collect for itself suitable
inland rates. If more convenient, may retain our
present rates and scale OF increase for printed NATTER or
adopt any other not higher the average than the
IN the articles The and scale of increase named in
the treaty those adopted by Great Britain in all its
postal conventions. The rate for the first two is
very moderate; the scale of increase is high would
have consented TO adopt lower one but II was alleged
that in practice would have crowded the mails bey ond
measure, with what perhaps more properly should go
through the custom, houses of the two countries
] offered 10 permit the printed circulars OF merchants
printed matter. The British post office objected but eur
American advertisements, If printed newspapers
will pay only newspaper postage
Freedom of transit for letters and newspapers was of
the utmost importance. held that we should have the
right to bring transit letters in packets to
British port and depose them free of British charge in
the British post Office there to be treated as letters orgi
mating in England. The Post Office Department insisted
charging three halfpence besides But the Chancel
lor of the Excheque viewed the matter pecselyas did
and we very easily came to an agreement the point
expressed in article XII BY that article letter sent
through England pays IN America 81 cents in advance,
instead OF 81. OF these, is the American inland
rate, and Ii cents the packet raeAmercan or British as
1t may be- For that payment in advance, all of which
goes into our treasury the packet is ours the letter
delivered into the British post Office to be the
rates paid by the British themselves any part of the
world to which The British postal system extends and
onversely.
small difficulty did indeed arise but as the Chance
lor and had but one mind on what was right, easily
surmounted IT,
By article VIII you will perceive that we have right
to send letters and newspapers in the usual channels
in closed mails through the United Kingdom, well to
France as to other foreign countries difficulty occur
red IN the settling OF the rates to be paid for letters TO
France passing through England By the SD article of
the British and French Postal Convention. (of which
have sent home copy) the French pay letters the
British government one uniform rate of 40 pence per
ounce, British net weight for transit through the United
Kingdom and sea conveyance to and from countries be-
You'd sea- There is one and the rate for letters
whether from Brazil or Van Diemans Land from Boston
or Calcutta But by present treaty with England this
rate becomes too high letters between France and the
United States: passing through the United Kingdom The
Chancellor of the Exchequer is therefore willing on his
part to reduce the rates to be paid such letters and APP
ply the principle of the l2th article of this treatNo
France.
For this the concurrence of France is necessary But
of France will not refuse to accept what comes
to her mainly single reduction of her rate of postage
AT the same tms ourselves have motive to intro
duce France into this part of the negotiation, for far
Great Britain concerned she has interest
with us. Farther, we may have mail steamers TO
Havre, bringing letters for Great Britain and these must
be provided for II seems therefore, that we have moth
ing to lose by conserving to perfect this part of
rangement by parte arrangement between the three
countries.
The question comes up to how shall be placed
the interim We send letters under 10 Liv
erpoo to be there mailed and forwarded 10 France at
rate of only three half pence the half ounce, beyond
what would be payable il France were not excepted from
the 18th article. Letters would in many cases go
less cost than under the British treaty with France
On parcel OF half ounce the New York rate would be
five CENTS two pence half penny the rate pence,
the British inland rate penny halpenny, which
France, while by the English treaty with France letter
OF a half ounce, which equally pays in New York five
cents two pence half penny pays delivery in France
for conveyance and transit the of 25 pence so
that, by the way the cost of letter of half
from the United States through England France, will
be II pence; and the Other will be % and half
pence OF course, England has strong interest as
we to remove this ncOnvenient inequality
Thus | think it no disadvantage 10 to leave the
France; the Chancellor having most explicitly and re.
peatedy stated that his wish to arrange with France,
to charge letters in transit to France what Liver
pool merchant pays letter France originating in
Liverpool and conversely, without the further exacton
OF the three half pence British established
by article II Of this convention.
The preceding paragraphs of my despatch relating to
the transit OF letters and newspapers through the
United Kingdom, to and from France have been sent by
me to the Chancellor OF the Eschequer who concus in
the exact accuracy of my statement.
hope for the appreciation of the President on the re-
suit Of this very aborous negotiation, which could not
and even now would hardly have been terminated but
for the enlightened goodwill of the First Lord of the
Treasury and the hearty operation of the Chancellor
of the EXchequer and Viscount Palmerston.
~ ., GEoRGE BANCROFT.
Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN, Secretary of State.
p S. By article Nv, you will perceive that have re-
served for country the liberty letters half
ounce in weight TO employ the scale of progression
operation in its territory. But, at the same time,
cannot but recommend the adoption of the English scale
OF progression 1t would raise the scarcely
letter in hundred at the time it would to the
Post Office great deal of labor on every letter trans.
mted The of the cheap postage system depends
simplifying the manual processes and diminishing la
Dor. Where the rates high, it proper weigh each
letter. and to have scale OF progression by the half
ounce where rates uniform and low. the scale of
progression should be by the ounce, that the Post Office
clerks may, without often using the scales, de-
eide what rate attaches to each letter. G b.
mo. lo7 AMERICAN LEGATION,
London, Dec H. 1913.
SIR: Having yesterday arranged definitely with the
Chancellor of the Exchequer the terms of postal
venton, urged him to the immediate resembling OF the
post Office order No. Q, of June, S47 Offering In return
the old rates they existed with before our reala
tory law. The Chancellor took the subject under consd
eaton and at interview to-day he adopted the prop
osition. question of form | said note from
him to me, and reply on my part for Mr.. Johnson,
would be sufficient At once he addressed me the note
and returned the reply, of which you find copies
nexed. Pray communicate Immediately with Mr.. John
son, that our post office may adopt, torthw the neces
sary steps Tor fulfilling the engagement into which have
entered on its behalf Let me congratulate Mr. Johnson
on the happy result of his irmness The difficulties
Chancellor il who, almost simultaneously with my
SELF suggested (blt not 10 mel the basis which tins
troublesome business could be properly settled and
due to him to say that his conduct The close OF this nego
tiaon has been such to have been expected of
statesman, careful OF the interests OF his country
and, at the time. disposed to do justice to
remain sincerely yours cro,cp y ,cno,,
Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN
Secretary of State.
[Encosures
l: Copy of note from Sir Charles Wood TO Mr.. Ban
croft, December H.
Copv of note from Mr. Ranrrof, 10 Sir Cb,rla