Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-11-01

whether or no this table is faithful transcripts oi
the law. Will any one say it is not 1t should,
however, be observed that this table is applicable
totransient newspapers &c. only which are sent
from one place TO another ithin the United States,
including Of course California and Oregon.
Here we might with entire confidence dismiss
the subject; but this charge Of iberality against
the Department induces us to 60 one step further.
Taking the present law as it stands, any one ia
mliar with it will perceive that the above rates ap
ply to all transient newspapers, &c., as well to
those sent to or received from foreign countries as
to those circulated within the United States, ex-
cepting the cases where the postages have been
or shall be adjusted at different rates by postal
treaty" or otherwise. But what is the factr
AT the time of its passage, we are informed'
there was but one treaty (that with the British
Government which offered any bar to the adoption
of all the rates named in this law. Under that
treaty the United States postage on single news
paper, regardless both of size and weight, is two
cents between the United States and Great Bri-
tain; and this sum has to be collected by our post
masters, whether the paper be sent from or receiv-
ed in the United States, because, in accordance
with treaty stipulation, there account taken Of
printed mater except what passes in transit through
Great Britain or the United States to some place
beyond. In like manner, the British Office collects
its own postage, which is also two cents on each
newspaper sent or received. Where the news
paper passes in transit through the United King
dom the postage to be collected here is four cents
two United States and two foreign, (not British.)
The British treaty affording the only exception,
therefore, how comes it that the high transient rates
Of the existing law not chargeable with refer
ence to all other foreign countries How is it that
with the exception Of the British North American
Provinces and the States on the southwest coast Of
the Pacific, the United States postage on single
newspaper is but f,0o oents while it costs ue fem
or fifteen cents. and SO on, according to weight, to
send one to California;
The answer is short aad plain. It is this: the
reduction to two cents has been made BY an order
of the Postmaster General, the authority for which
is contained in the following clause of the present
postage law, viz:
And the Postmaster Geosta by and with The sdvc .n
consent Of the President Of the United States shall be aud
he is hereby authorized to nduce enlarge from time 10
time. the rates Of postage upon all letters and other msabe
matter conveyed befueen The United States and any foreign
country for the purpose Of making better postal arrange
ments with other Governments counteracDg any adverse
affecting postal intercourse with foreign
kies" ,.. ., f5 asR- stt 8ege
Now is there any appearance Of illiberalty in
this! On the contrary, does il not present strong
evidence that the Department is ready TO render the
law as little burdensome and as acceptable in its
operations as possible
Witha few comparatively trifing exceptions, the
most important being in regard TO transient news