The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-11
- 6,353,409
ll,Os2.76s
5,454 1882
s,56S,707
$5O5,sI5
l,275,52O
$644,s92
$4,000
& l,7Sl,335
1891

By the third section of the act approved August
81, 1852, making appropriations for the service OF
this Department, it ia provided that the salarles
of all route agents be increased to 81 900 per
annum.
The effect of this provision is TO give the same
compensation to each one OF these agents, without
reference to the amount of service rendered by
them respectively, and it takes from the Postmas-
ter General the power OF adjusting their pay
cording to tn labor and responsibility of the
service perform dby them. Itoperates unequally,
and with the esent amount of railroad service
has increased tn cost of transporting the mails
more than $50 co. | respectfully recommend
the repeal of this provision, and that the Postmas
ter General be authorized to graduate these sala-
res according to the service performed.
The contractor on the route from Salt Lake City
to Sacramento, in California, never having per-
formed official service on that route, this Depart
ment has entered into an arrangement with an
other cont ractor, who binds himself not only to
perform the service ms originally required but also
TO establish and maintain fortified post, or sta
ton, at Carsons Valley, which will. 1t is expected,
increase the security OF the mails, and afford pro
lection to the numerous emigTant trains on their
Journey TO California.
Since the last annual report from this Depart
ment the Collins line of steamers has continued its
service between New York and Liverpool, accord
ing to an arrangement then existing by which
weekly trips in American steamers were secured
between the two countries.
The chips OF this line have preserved their early
reputation for unrivaiied speed and seawortbncss.
Their departures have been punctual and they
have performed their voyages with great regularity.
Tee company has kept spare chip in port ready
to replace any one which might be temporarily
disabled or withdrawn for repairs, and has, in
other respects, manifested disposition perform
the service in a creditable manner.
By the act Of August 81, 1852, this Department
authorized to make an arrangement with the
Ocean Steam Navigation Company for one add.
tonal trip the Havre line, and additional trip
the Bremen line, until the expiration OF their
isting contract, and also in its discretion to nego-
tats for the change OF the Havrc line from Hayre
Antwerp. Owing, as is stated by the propretors of
these lines, to the inadequaey OF the remuneration
received for their present service, they are unwil.
ling to extend it either by increasing the number
Of their trips or AIDING to the length of their
voyages. They complain that while the Collins
line receives 900 a trip, the Havre line
ceives only $l2. 500, and the Bremen line only
d 1900 for service, in the latter case more ardu
Gus in it's nature and over longer route. They
ask that such remuneration may be given them as
will justify their increasing the number Of their
ships, and thus enable them not only to meet the
requirements Of the service, by changing the
terminus Of their route from Havro to Antwerp,
but also to perform such additional trips may be
desired
show that, in addition to their having performed
their mail service efficiently could be expect
ed with the limited means allowed them, the ex
ports from Germany to this country have increased
since they commenced running from 5000, 00U
to $4,000, 900, that the number of emigrt nts
is increasing, and the gross cum which they at
present bring to this country amounts to $l5,0oO-
900 annually.
II for this object, for the purpose Of extend
ing our intercourse and increasing our mercantile
relations with Germany, that this line was estab-
lsaed. The results have equalied the expectatio
of its friends, and il now remains for Congress to
decide whether the necessary aid shall be extended
and the object realized or whether we sbail aban-
don to the English the profits Of our increasing
trade with the advantages that flow from il.
Semi. monthly ocean service, last reported
fro m this Departn was continued between New
York and California and Oregon until Jolly last,
when, under authority Of a provision contained in
the Naval Appropriation act OF March 3, 1851, the
running Of The mail steamers on the New York,
Havana, New Orleans, and Chagres lines, was re-
arranged ns TO afford a more direct despatch OF
the mails to and from the Pacific.
Thisservice IL now divided into three distinct
lnes, viz: From New York md New 0rlcans to
Aspinwall, both direct and from New York by
Havana to New Orleans. This change is made
with the assent Of the Secretary Of the Navy on
the applica ton Of The contractors, and with the
| understanding that the Government is not respon
sible for any additional expense involved in II.
The former arrangement may be restorcd at
| the desire of either party on one months notice.
| The convention between this Department and
| the Post Office Department Of PRUSSIA, which, at
the date Of the last annual report of the Postmas-
ter General, remained une xecuted, has since been
concluded, and went into operation in October
| last. This convention provides for a closed mail
| TO be d, spatched in each direction between the
United States and Prussia, regular twice week