The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-07

made lie most liberal concessions The terms OF the
treaty were highly favorable TO Great Britain but am
to say that my judgment. the liberal sp'rt
then manifested by the United States has not been re-
ciprocaed The treaty provided that the British govern
ment might send letters IN closed mails through ihe
United States (mosy by the way OF New YORK or Bos-
ton to their North American provinces, at twelve and
half cents the ounce, which was deemed equivalent 10
only the rate then paid by our own cuzens on
letters conveyed the same distance.
This provision was conceded, although the transit
rates on letters passing through England on heif way
from or to this country. were ieit temporary as wac
then supposedly to be determined by the British post
Office except that they not TO exceed the rates which
that office then charged should thereafter charge upon
letters from British colonies or possessions or foreign
countries passing through England in like manner, and
although il was known that the rates usually charged
(beng different in respect to letters addressed to different
averaged about thl!y cents me ounce,
the transit rates OF the two countries would be speedily
superseded by one more in accordance with the views
OF mutual benefit and accommodation entertained by this
government; and TO that end the following provision
was inserted in the 10th article OF the treaty:
But the contracting parties agree to invite France
into communication with them, without loss Of
time, in order effect such arrangements Tor the convey
of letters and and closed mails through
the Territories Of the United States, OF the United King
dom, and of France respectively be most condu
Give 10 the Interests OF the three countries
Negotiations between the three countries on this sub
ect proaced by the refusal OF great Britain TO as
sent arrangement deemed fair and reasonable
til France has at length consented 10 separate arrange
ment with Great Britain. reducing the transit rate let
ers passing through that country from and TO France
from thirty TO twenty-fOur cents the ounce.
The rate insisted upon as the basis OF an
rangement with this country, but deemed excessive
and has not been assented TO.
Our convention with Great Britain be annulled by
either OF the two governments after years notice TO
the Others and ii satisfactory transit rates be not
agreed TO, this government should seriously consider
whether the notice provided for in the treaty shall
be given.
Ii is well known that vessels from foreign ports con-
tnually bring into this country large numbers of letters
fIalIu nfrf
arrival required by law. In steamers running the
routes from New York and New Orleans 10 San Fran
cisco, including even the mail steamers under contract
with the United States, large number OF letters are con-
tnualy sent BY express companies. and the authority
vested in this department and its officers is insufficient to
prevent It, The evil is OF such magnitude, and bears
recommended that the laws applicable the
subject be carefully revised It's suggested that it be
made highly penal for express companies their agents,
other persons, to carry letters these routes outside
of the mails and that be made the especial duty OF all
officers OF the customs and all special agents Of the Post
Office Department, TO examine on board vessels on their
arrival all packages which they shall have good reason
believe contain letters and to seize the same, under
such restrictions and with such directions for their sub
seQuent disposal. as may DO deemed expedent. The
master other officer in charge Of such vessel should
also be required 10 make affidavit, before such vessel
shall be permitted TO break bulk or make entry in any
port OF the United States thai he has, to the best OF his
knowledge and belief delivered caused To be delivered
the post office at or nearest TO such port, all bags,
packages, parcels, containing letters that were on
board such ship at the time OF its arrival except such
letters exempted by law In view OF the present
low rates OF postage the great expense of maintaining
these lines OF steamers, the comparatively small amount
OF postage which will herafler from them and the
ease with which the present laws are evaded prompt and
decisive action is urgently recommended
The security Of mails requires that further provs
should be made to punish feons all persons who
shall sea obtain by false pretences, knowingly and
unlawiuly make. forge counterfeit, any key suited
any lock which has been shall be adopted by the Post
Office Department for pse and which shall then be in use.
pf nj fhpI ho bava
their possession any such mail key with the intent
lawfully improperly to use, sell, otherwise dispose
of the same who, being employed in the manufacture
OF mail locks or keys Tor the use OF the department,
whether contractors Otherwise, shall deliver any
finished unfinished mail key mail lock. the
terror parts thereof 10 any person not duly authorized,
under the hand OF the Postmaster General and the seal
the department. receive the same unless such person
be engaged in the manufacture thereof in the manner
authorized by the contract for such manufacture.
Most assuedy these locks and keys should be protect
ed by provisions as stringent and highly penal treas
ury notes any other public security. The stealing OF
mail locks should be punished felony for that
will readily occur
Great numbers OF mail bags out from this
city and the larger Offices returned and are i'm
properly appropriated They plainly marked ~. S.
Mail" that can be mistaken regard to their
purpose and ownership yet II is beloved that great
bers OF them have been improperly taken and kept for
private use BY The acts relating to the army. heavy
penalties have been imposed for purchasing the or
uniform clothing OF an enlisted soldier, and similar pen
ay should certainly be imposed upon those who unlaw
other property OF this department
The provision OF law hich authorizes pos,masers
10 sell newspapers not called for for the postage thereon
should be extended 10 all classes OF printed matter and il
should be made the duty OF all postmasers to sell all such
dead printed matter and account for the under such
regulations as the department may prescribe.
Plank roads, a0ordng the means OF a more rapid and
easy communication between important points on existing
mail routes common in different portions OF the coun
Try. IL frequently occurs that mai-ser can be
placed thereon because they not the line OF any
established post route IL is therefore suggested that
law be passed authorizing contracts for carrying the mail
on all plank roads, and declaring that plank roads on
which the department shall provide for carrying the mail
shall while the mail ~ carried thereon be deemed
public pos-roucs similar provision in relation to
mails was adopted in 1896.
The increasing abuses of the Thanking privilege render
desirable some further legislation in respect thereto The
Thanking az public documents Of matters which are no,
such the distributing OF franked envelopes 10 persons
not entitled TO the thanking privilege the ranking
:" official" letters which not such the use OF the
frank TO cover Innumerabe circulars for the benefit OF
others than the parties who frank bem and the frank ing
OF letters oil other persons, are presented OF the
existing abuses All these should, in my judgment, be
prohibited by severe penalties, and conviction for such
offence should deprive the offender OF his frankn
privilege II IS also proper that the attention of Congress
should be directed to the fact that the penalty of five hun
dfed dollars, imposed by the existing law found TO be
insufficient TO prevent the counteretng OF franks either
with or without the assent of the person whose frank is
counerfe cited
Authority should be gven 10 the department TO increase
the compensation OF its special agents in California and
oregon TO an amount more nearly corresponding with
the general high prices OF those sections These agents
acting at points remote from the central organization OF
the department, must necessarily be invested with
large discretion, and implicitly relied upon for the inio
nation on which the action OF the DEPARTMENT respect
70 those portions OF The country, must be based The