The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-05

AT the request of the honorable chairman OF the House
place TO the following petition:
To the honorable the House Of Rspresen ativss Of the Uni
ted States of America Congress assembled:
The undersigned memoriast, citizen of the United
States, and resident of the city Of New York. respect
fully represents
That having. as early as the year 1917, been con
nected with the Post Office Department, first post.
master, and subsequently, a special agent and then
assistant postmaster al the city OF New York. and hav
for the last eleven years devoted his attention The
subject of cheap postage, and having critically
ned its operation and its benehceni effects upon the
social MORAL literary commercial and national interests
OF the people where has been adopted, he has become
perfectly satisfied that the Tree citizens OF republic
are entitled to, and under efficient and economical
AZ cheap postage The subjects OF Queen Victoria
That the undersigned, and tens OF thousands OF his lei
owcizens in every section OF the Union have for the
last eight years constantly pe!toned each Congress 10
reduce the OF postage letters TO "uniform rate
OF two cents prepaid !" that hitherto their petitions have
been dIsegarded, and it proposed TO adopt three
cen, rae instead OF the one asked Tor by your petition
ers
The undersigned is aware that this hesitation to adopt
the two cent rate arises from apprehension, which
has been expressed BY several members OF your honora
bic body, "tlat ii will not yield sufficient revenue 10
meet the expenses OF the Post Office Department !" that
the postal facilities OF the country, and especially the
sparfely settled portion OF II. will be diminished and
that the Post Office will be thrown the Treasury for
support thereby taxing those who do not write for the
benefit OF those who do"
Your menoalls', therefore, presents 10 your honora
BILE body behalf Of himself and associates the follow
ing proposition, that they will CONTRACT
l. 10 carry all The letters on the present post.roues, in
every part OF the United States, at uniform rate OF Two
cents for every half and fraction OF ounce
paid.
q. To deliver to their address. free Of any charge
but the postage, all letters sent by the mails IN every
Town and city containing ten thousand or more inhabt
ants and also absh therein places for the recep
ton of mail and other letters, and convey them 10 the
ms tham fha N hal IN mis- nj
town or city, at no higher rate than one cent on each let
ter, prepaid
g. TO transport newspapers magazines, periodicals.,
and any printed matter. including handbis, circulars
tracts and books at half the rates changed prepaid
4. To give greater facilities 10 trade and commerce,
and to the business community generally by guaranty
ing the safe delivery of money letters money and other
vauabes to any part OF the United States at reasonable
premium.
and House OF Representatives with twenty five hundred
stamps and convey the correspondence OF the
President xPresidens, and widows OF the Presidents
free Of any charge, as is now granted by Congress
g. The undersigned and his associates agree to pay for
contract 10 carry the mails and letters above men
toned, for the period OF ten years. one million oil dollars
that to say hundred thousand dollars TO be paid at
The close oil each successive year, the contract common
cling on the first day of January, 1889.
T. The undersigned and his associates, when this
tract made agree give ample and satisfactory security
for the uhnen, of ali the above conditions and the pay
ment OF one million Of dollars in the proposed
provided that Congress will guaranty to them the
privileges. immunies, and protection which
enjoyed by the Pos, Office Department
As letters to and from foreign countries charged
at rates which have been established by treaties with
other nations, and contracts have been made with
several lines OF carry the mails the under
signed. not wishing TO interfere with existing treaties
contracts. agrees in behalf Of himself and associates
while these continued TO collect the hostages such
letters asd papers and pay the to the order OF the
Treasurer OF the United States, upon being paid the
commissions allowed to pos,masters upon
American postage
The undersigned respectfully submits the preceding
proposals for the consider of your honorable body
assuring them that he is now prepared to comply with
them and that he il able TO demonstrate to any comme.
which may have this memorial in charge that his plan OF
managing the postal establishment OF the United States il
not only feasible, but will prove highly advantageous
both to The government and the people, combines
simplicity, economy, and efficiency.
BARNABAS BATES.
WASHINGTON, February, 1851