Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1849-01-20
PALMERSTON,
GEORGE BANCROFT.
LETTER FROM Dir. BANCROFT.
Correspondence.

AMERICAN LEGATION,
London, December 10, 1913.
Hon. JAMES BUCHANAN,
Secretary of State.
Sir send this day by the Europa for ratifica-
ton, a Postal Convention between the United States
and the United Kingdom which has Just been sign
ed by myself, and in the absence of the Postmaster
General, by Lord Palmerston alone.
In negotiating this treaty, have aimed at a just
and fair reciprocity; the reduction Of the rates
the abrogation OF all discriminating charges, what
evcr respect for the existing laws regulating inland
postage, and due regard for facilitating the daily
OF manual business in the Post Offices OF both
countries.
This Convention, in its progress, has encountered
much opposition in some quarters here. trust it
NAV meet general appreciation at home.
The British Postmaster General reluctantly con-
scented TO accept the varying inland rates levied
by the laws of the United States within their terri
tory, and to conccde the English rates fixed by law
The principle thus settled. Its application was
difficult; for it gave for example, on letter from
Boston, and conversely rate if sent directly from
port 10 port; another rate if sent by New Y ork TO
Liverpool, and still another if sent by New York
and Southampton To keep just accounts under so
varying rates, would have been difficult. agreed,
therefore, make average Of the inland rates in
each country. (Excepting always our mails for Cal
forna. and to our remote territories, by land or sea-
which specially provided for in Article XlI,)
and to adopt uniformly those average rates. In Eng
land, the inland rate letter, if paid in advance,
is penny; if not paid in advance, most foreign
letters are not it is two pence Three alf-pence,
For America, an inland letter. if received at Post
Office, for delivery, and not for transmission, pays
two cents If transmitted it pays varying rate of
FIVE and ten cents. The average, therefore, is five
and wo-thirds of a ccnt-less than six cents. Our
Postmaster General, moreover, well as commit
tees i'll both houses of Congress, recommend uni
form rate, not exceeding five cents. That rate,
therefore taken the uniform American inland
rate. But consented TO this only condition that
the rate should be reduced. This was agreed
to, that by Articles III and III, there is one
uniform rate of twenty -four cents every letter OF
half ounce or less from any part OF the United
States within our established post routes, whether
/ from New York New Orleans, or the remotest
village Post office in the far West 10 any part OF the
United Kingdom. This is less rate than the pre-
sent one between London and Paris. IL Is what the
British packet rate alone formerly was his treaty
effects such reduction in the combined rates that
our American inland rate OF five cents each way, IS
obtained out of the former British packet rate
| After this important concession OF reduced sea
rate, which operates exclusively TO our benefit until
we get at least equal number Of mail packets with
England did not think should be justified in re-
fsing TO take the Canada mails territory
AT the uniform inland rate established by Article ii.
1t seemed TO be wise, to treat our Canadian neigh
bors literally: special act of Congress the sub
icct of mails in transit to Canada avors such poll
cy The concession of rate Of eight pence
coupled with my assent TO this fifth Article; and
moreover, believe, that Congress, before this Con
vention goes fully into ope ration, will have reduced
cents. Besides, the old agreement gave to the Eng