The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-21
FOREIGN MAILS.

\ N OBEDlENCE to the act OF congress, approx
i cd August 80, 1852, which is in the words follow
ing, to wit:
" An act to provide for tri-moutbly mail fr IN
New Orleans to Vera Cruz via Tampico and
hack, in steam vessels.
"Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
ssrsfatipcs of the United States Of dmerca IN Con-
gress assembled, That the Postmaster General be
and he ia hereby authorized and direc ted 10 enter
into a contract for term Of five years, and for a
sum not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars
year, with such person or persons as may offer
sufficient and satisfactory security, after due pub
lie notice, for the transportation Of the mails OF the
United States, upon the best terms for tae United
States, three times a month from New Orleans, via
Tampico, to Vera Cruz and back, in steam vessels
of not less than eight hundred tons burden, of the
best form OF construction adapted to the navigation
of the southern waters the same to be ready ip the
shortest possible time
PROPOSALS
Will be received at the Contract Office of the Post
Office Department, in the city Of Washington, I'M
til O'Clock p. IN. of Monday, the Sd day of Janu-
airy next, Ito be decided by the 9th of the same
month"; for conveying the mails Of the United
States, for five years from the fifteenth of Feb
cified
From New Orleans, (La,,) by Tampico, (Mexi-
co., to Vera Cruz, about 900 miles and back. three
times month, in steamships. Time allowed
from port to port to be three days; the schedule
(subject to approval of the Postmaster GENERALLY
to be proposed by the bidder.
Proposals to carry in four days, each way, will
also be considered.
Proposals to omit Tampico by mail line, and
supply, tri-monthly, by a eide vessel in due con-
nexon will be considered, in the event of its being
shown to be mpracticable to enter that port with
the steamships Of the line
Proposals will also be considered for the extern.
sion Of two of the above trips from Vera Cruz to
Acapulco, by suitable and safe land conveyance,
thence by steam vessels to San Fra ncisco and backs
The time in passing from Vera Cruz to Acapulco
not to exceed one hundred twenty hours, Give
days) and uice ueTsd, and between Acapulco and
San Francisco not to exceed eight days
Proposals also invited for semi monthly trips,
to be performed each way in not exceeding seven
teen days, from New Orleans, via Tampico, Vera
Cruz, and Acapulco, to San Francisco and back, in
steamships. &C., as above. Also, for two additional
trips from New Orleans via Tampico and Vera
Cruz to Acapulco and back, to run in not exceed
ing eight days each way, and in due connection
with the semi monhly trips Of the mail steamships
Francisco.
Proposal, will also be considered for four trips
month from New Orleans, via Tampico, Vera
Cruz, and the city Of Mexico to Acapulco and
back and for the extension OF two OF those trips
to San Francisco by steamships; the other two to
be run in connection with the present Pacific mail
line 30 10 give to California weekly mail. The
time between New Orleans and San Francisco not
to exceed rc~sntoon 6ays. In cre-y instance oach
OF the three sections of the line between New Or
leans aud San Francisco should be bid for sepa-
ratcly.
Under the act of March 3. 1851, the service be
tween San Francisco and Vera Cruz is to be for
four years. But the Postmaster General reserves
the right of continuing it one year longer at same
terms.
In regard to hat part of the service between
Vera Cruz and Acapulco, the bidder will be re-
quired to satisfy the Department before enterin G
into contract that he has full privilege and autho-
ry to execute in the terms of the contract the Scr
vice herein called for without interference and in
accordance with treaty stpulations.
In regard to the steamship part of the service on
| the route between New Orleans and Vera Cruz,
the proposals should set forth the size, rate, and
description Of the vessel. (Which must be of not
less than eight hundred tons burden,) and in re-
gard to the service between San Francisco and
Acapulco the proposals should set forth descrp-
ton of the vessel with sufficient particularly to
enable the decision to be made on the advice of the
proper officers of the naval service, whether the
same ia or ia not convertible into ship OF war.
And special notice is hereby given that, agreea
bly, to the provisions of the act of Congress of 3D.
March, lS45, those proposals for the last described
section of the route (being acceptable in other re-
spects) will be preferred which shall stipulate to
deliver the steamship or ships, TO be provided for
carrying said mails to the United States, to their
proper officer, demand made, for the purpose OF
being converted into vessel or vessels Of war; the
United States being bound, on their part, to pay
the fair full value thereof at the time of delivery
| to be ascer tanned by four appraisers, appointed
two by the President of the United States, and two
| by the owner owners, with umpire, in case
of disagreement, to be appointed by the President
| of the United States.
| The laws on this subject are the 7th section OF
the act of March 3, 1885, and the third section Of
the act of June 81 lS4S, to which bidders are re-
| fcrred
| ton to carry agent OF the Post Office Depart
mcnt with the mails, or he may omit it, at his dis
| cretien. Such stipulation may induce preference
TO be given in favor of bid equal in other respects
ntntt,
BY the second section of the act of March 3, 1915
it ia required that contracts for the conveyance OF
| the mail from the United States to fore gn ports
shall be made with American citizens, and the
| mail transported in American vessels by American
citizens.
Articles of contract are to be executed by the
accepted bidder and by his suretes, by or before
the fifteenth day of February, 1853. The contract
is to provide, among other things, that the pay Of
the trip is to be forfeited whom the trip is not per
| formed, and not more than three times the pay Of
the trip when the trip ia not run. and no suffcen
excuse for the failure is furnished, and due pro-
portion of it when grade of service is rendered
inferior to that specified in the contract; and thai
| fines may be imposed, unless the delinquency be
sat actorily explained in due time; for failing &c
take from, to deliver into, the post office the
port OF landing the mail belonging thereto, or any
part of said mail; for suffering the mail or any
part of it, to be wet, injured lost, destroyed; for
conveying it in place or manner that exposes il
to depreciation, loss, injury; for refusing after
steamship, vessel vehicle run by the contractor
on the route, over and above the specified number
Of trips in the contract, and Tor not arriving the
| time set; alec, for transmitting intelligence OF
furnishing the means Of transmitting intelligence
| in advance of the mail. The Postmaster Genera
may annul the contract for repeated failures; for
violating the post office laws; for dsobeying the
instr uctons OF the Department.; for refusing &c
discharge a carrier when required by the Depart
mcnt; for assigning the contract without the con
sent of the Postmaster General for setting up or
| running an express as aforesaid.
The Postmaster General may alter the contract
and alter the schedule, ho allowing pro rata in
crease of compensation, within the restrictions
imposed by law for any increased service required
but the contractor may in such cnse, rclinquish
the contract, timely notice, if he prefer il the
change The Postmaster General may also dis.
continue or curtal the service, he allowing one
months extra pay on the amount dispensed
with.
| The route, the service, the yearly pay, the bid
ders name and residence, and the name OF each
member of the firm, where company offers, should
be distinctly stated in the proposals.