The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-10-27
FOREIGN MAILS.

ing, 10 wit:
" An act to provide for a tri- monthly mail FRI IN
New Orleans to Vera Cruz via Tampico, and
back, In steam vessels. ,....
"Be il enacted By the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatipes Of the United States Of America in Con-
grsss assembled, That the Postmaster General be
and he is hereby authorized and directed to enter
into contract for term of five years, and for n
sum not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars
a 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 the United
States, three times month from New Orleans, via
Tanpico, 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 in 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. m. of Monday, the Sd day of Janu-
airy next, TO 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.
cited; 'o - 49, '0
From New Orleans, lLs.) by Tampco, (Mexi-
COY to Vera Cruz, about 900 miles, and back three
times a month, in steamships. Time allowed
from port to port to be three days; the scheduie
(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 side vessel, in due con.
nexon, will be considered in the event OF its being
shown to be impractcable 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 Francisco and backo
The time in passing from Vera Cruz to Acapulco
not to exceed one hundred twenty hours, Give
days,) and uics Sersa. and between Acapulco and
San Francisco not to exceed eight days.
PROPOSALS are also invited for semi. monthly trpe.
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 Tampco and Vera
Cruz to Acapulco and back, to run in not exceed.
ing eight days each way, and in due connection
with the seni-monthly trips of the mail steamships
of the present line between Acapulco and San
Francisco. .y g.. y & .,.. -, g., ~. .... e. ..
Proposals 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 to give to California a weekly mail The
time between New Orleans and San Francisco not
to exceed seventeen days. In every instance each
of the three sections of the line between New Or
leans and San Francisco should be bid for sepa-
rately. ...t .e' ',' 1.r,
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. -. ...-... o."
In regard to hat part of the service between
Vera Cruz and Acapulco, the bidder will be re-.
quired to safety the Department before entering
into contract that he has full privilege and autho
ry TO execute in the terms OF the contract the ser
vice herein called for without interference and in
accordance with treaty stipulations
In regard to the steamship part fthe service on
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 descrip
ton of the vessel with sufficient particularly to
enabe tho decision to be made on the advice Of the
proper officers Of the naval service, whether the
same is or lie not convertible into ship of war.
And special notice is hereby given that, agreea-
bly, to the prov of the act Of Congress Of Sd
March, l845, those proposals. for the last described
section of the route (beng acceptable in other re-
spects) will be preferred which shall stipulatc to
carrying said malls to the United States or to their
proper officer, on 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 ascertained by four appraisers, appointed,
two by the President of the United States, and two
by the owner or owners, with an umpire, in case
Of disagreement, to be appointed by the President
The laws on this subject are the 7th section Of
the act of March 3, lS45, and tho third section Of
the act of June 81, ls4s, to which bidders are re-
ferred. .... ,......a. -.
The bidder may embrace in his offer stipula-
ton TO carry an agent of the Post Office Depart
ment with the mails or he may omit 1t, at his dis
erection. Such stipulation may induce preference
to be given in favor Of bid equal in other respects
over a bid not containing il. ... ..
By the second section Of the act of March 3, ls45,
is required that contracts for the conveyance OF
the mail from the United States to foreign ports
shall be made with American citizens, and the
mail transported in American vessels by American
citizens. ~ -...a H.. 49,. VI. 49,, i.
Articles of contract are TO be executed by the
accepted bidder and by his sureties, by or before
the fifteenth day of February, 1883. The contract
the rp Is to be forfeited when the trip is not per-
formed, and not more than three times the pay Of
the trip when the trip is not run, and no sufficient
for the failure 10 furnished, and doe pro-
inferior to that specified in the contract; and that
fines may be imposed, unless the delinquency be
sati factoriy explained in due time; for falling to
take from, to deliver into, the poet office at the
port Of landing the mail belonging thereto, or any
part of said mail; for suffering the mail, or any
part of it, to wet, injured, lost destroyed; for
conveying it in place or manner that exposes II
to depreciation, loss, or injury; for refusing after
steamship, vessel or vehicle by the contractor
on the route, over and above the specified number
of trips in the contract and Tor not arriving at the
time set; also, for transmitting inteillgence, or
furnishing the means Of transmitting Intelligence,
in advance Of the mail. The Postmaster General
may annuI the contract for repeated failures; for
violating the post Office laws; for disobeying the
Instructions OF the Department; for refusing TO
discharge carrier when required BY the Depart
mentJ Tor assigning the contract without the con
sent Of the Postmaster General or for setting up or
running an express as aforesaid. a..f f..'. Il
The Postmaster General may alter the contract,
and alter the schedule, he allowing pro rata in.
crease Of compensation, within the restrictions
imposed by law for any increased service required;
but tho contractor may, in such case, reiinquish
the contract, timely notice, If he prefer i TO the
change. The Postmaster General may also dis.
continue or curtail the service, be allowing one
months extra pay on the amount dispensed
with. - ..-. ..r.. ..... ...ay-
The route, the service, the yearly pay, the lid
der's name and residence, and the name Of each
member of the firm, where company offers, should
be distinctly stated in the proposals. ~ -'"