Daily American telegraph., 1852-01-23
lClrcuIar.1
WAsHISGToS CRY, De,

[Circular.l
WAsHINGTos CRY, Dec. 10, 1861.
SIR: BY the enclosed proceedings of meet
ing held in this city on the Sd instant, IL was
made the duty Of the undersigned as commit
tee to correspond with the several railroad COM
panies in the United States, and to report to an
tdJourned meeting, to be held in this city on the
nrst Tuesday in March next, to consider prop.
'sition to petition Congress for a change in the
Jaw regulating mail contracts 80 as TO enable the
ros' omce department 10 deliver to railroad COM
lanies United States five per cent coupon bonds.
ipon permanent contracts for Carrying the mail.
. an amount the interest upon which, nj fy. mar
tent, would be equal TO the payments 10 DO made
inder existing laws; and they therefore respect.
ully call the attention Of your company TO the
subject, and invite your CO operation They
greatly prefer that you should send delegates to
adjourned meeting; for the opinions expr, ssed
y a convention of practical men, representing
50 much wenlth, enterprise, and intelligence will
command, as they will deserve, the confidence and
aspect Of Congress, and thus promote the adop-
ion of such details as may DO agreed upon In
convention; but if it should not be CONVENIENT to
send delegates, we would ask your company TO
submit, through us, your wishes and opinions
'pon the main proposition, aud upon the details
connected Herewith.
1t is well known that many persons are opposed
o internal improvements by the general govern
nent-some denying tho power OF Congress to
make appropriations for that object others feur-
ng that the exercise of such power would lead
g combinations resulting in partial and unjust
legislation. 1t will be seen that the proposition
lnder consideration is free from these objections
1t asks no appropriation of money in aid of the
construction OF railroads. The contracts will be
estrcted to the service which the several rail-
road companies are in condition to execute when
he payments are made.
1t is true that the proposed modification of the
avs regulating mail contracts will give similar
payments pro rata, as new roads made and as
Id ones are extended, and will 50 far increase
he credit and resources of railroad companies
The same effect, although to a less extent, re-
suits from existing laws, and surely il cannot be
Urged as n valid objection to the proposed change
that it will aid in the extension of the railroad
notification will aid in extending the system. by
living greater value to railroad investments.
Under existing laws contracts are made for four
ears, and the payments are continued, if not in
reased ad infnitum. Under the proposed mod-
ication the contracts will be made, giving tue
United States the perpetual use Of railroads; aud
he rate Of compensation is reduced that, at
he end of thirty three years, the payments will
;ease and the department will forever thereafter
nave the use of such railroad free of all charge.
1t is objected that old routes may be super
eded by new ones, ind the present service so
diminished as to render it inexpedient to make
,ermaneht contracts at the rates proposed. 1t
las also been objected that railroads now in use
nay be discontinued, and that such railroad COM
,anies cannot protect the department from loss.
We answer these objections by assuming that the
ontracts will be made by board appointed for
hat purpose, and that contracts will be given
Unless that board be fully satisfied that mail SER
'ce adequate to the payments will be amply Sc
:ured to the United Sates.
We desire TO obtain the views Of your company
pom these and all other matters Of detail, aud
les ms will enable US to submit to the convention
nd to Congress a statement showing the com
arative increase or diminution, rs the case may
e, of the mail service performed by your com
auy-the past, aud probable future increase Of
he weight OF mails carried over the roue Of
our road. And in this connexiun We wish 10
earn what, il your opinion, will be the probable
Increased weight Of the mails, if newspapers and
periodicals. are sent free OF postage.
We wish you also 10 state what is the present
urrent price of your shares, what rate vf dvi-
end does your company now Ply, and what diyi-
end could you pay under u Contract such as We
propose.
The committee venture TO invite the co. opera
ion of the railroad convention to be held in New
orleans on the first Monday of January, aud that
he newspapers in the South and West will urge
,pon all those who are interested in raiiroau 8 or
n the extension Of the system a favorable con-
alteration of the measure proposed, and the ne
,essity of prompt and efficient co operation In
behalf of the committee,
DUFF GREEN, Chairman.
Proceedings or Meeting he'll in Washington CITY on the
sd Dec mber Is0l.
Alta meeting Of gentemeu s.semted vt the request Of
len Duff tireen, conf Ter ject FIR notify ny the
sue regulating the letting II mails TO railroad cor
orations-
Gen Norton Of Florida, chosen resident, and Albert
: tn, of Maine, secretary
The meeting addressed by cen Green In explanation
4 his pro oon; after whi h, desultory conversation
held by All the gentlemen present. and the following
,.solu'ion adopted:
E,sIr. a. That committee OF Eve he appointed with
uthorty correspond with the several raroad mpanes