The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-15

ing, to wit: .I35S,
can act to provide for t,i-montbly mail fir m
New Orleans to Vera Cruz via Tampico, and
back, in steam vesstls ,. .
ssntaiioes Of the United States Of America in Con-
gyess assembled, That the Postmaster General be
and he is hereby authorized and directed to enter
into 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 the United
States, three times q month from New Orleans, via
Tampico, to Vera Cruz and back, in steam vessels
of not lees than eight hundred TONS burden, of the
beat form Of construction adapted to the navigation
OF the southern waters the same to be ready in the
shortest possible time g..
5atae, PROPOSALS ..s.
Will be received at the Contract Office of the Post
Office Department, in the city of Washington. un.
til O'Clock p. m. of Monday, the Sd day of Janu-
airy next, Ito be decided by the 9th of the came
month"; for conveying the mails of the United
States, for five years from the fifteenth of Feb
Gifted: .
From New Orleans, La..) by Tampico, (Mexi
COZ to Vera Cruz, about 900 miles, and back, three
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, rimonthly, by a side vessel, in due con
nexio, will be considered in the event of its being
shown to be impracticable to enter that port with
the steamships of the line sr
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 backc
not to exceed one hundred twenty hours, Give
days,) and DICE ueysa, and between Acapulco and
San Francisco not to exceed eight days.
Proposals also invited for semi monthly trips,
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
ing eight days each way, and in due connexion
with the semi monthly trips Of the mail steamships
Of the present line between Acapulco and San
Francisco. W.
Proposals will also be considered for four trips
month from New Orleans, via Tampico, Vera
Cruz, AMI the city of MEXICO, to Acapulco and
back and for the extension of two Of tloec 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 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. ID" go
Under the act of March 3, 1851, the service be
tween San Francisco and Vera Cruz ia to be for
four years. But the Postmaster General reserves
the right Of continuing it ono year longer at same
terms. b. ~ be .o'. IN a"' ... ' '.'...i
In regard to. hat part of the service between
Vera Cruz and Acapulco, the bidder will be
quired to satisfy the Department before entering
into contract that he has full privilege and autho
rty to execute in the terms OF the contract the ser
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
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 paTtculaIity to
enable 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 a ship Of war.
And special notice lie hereby given that, agreea
bly, to the proyi ions OF the act OF Congress OF 50
section of the route (being acceptable in other re-
spects) will be preferred which shall stipulate to
deliver the steamship Or chips, to be provided for
carrying said mails tothe 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 foil vauo thereof at the time Of delivery,
to be ascertained by four appraisers, appointed,
by the owner or owners, with an umpire, in case
Of engagement, to be appointed by the President
of the United States. s ...,. -..s"'E $3.50
The laws on this subject are the 7th section of
the act Of March 3, l645, and the third section Of
the act of juno 81, l64S, to which bidders re-
ferred. ~ r.. rn''"'
The bidder may embrace in his offer a stipula-
ton to carry an agent Of the Post Once Depart
cretion. Such stipulation may induce preference
to be given in favor Of bid equal in other respects
over q bid hot containing it.
By the second section Of the act Of March 3, 1885,
,;-nI xkot, 60 of
the mali from the United States to foreign ports
shall be made with American citizens, and the
mail transported in American vessels by American
citizens. .''.'t'' y'' q. .'
] Articles of contract are 10 be executed by the
accepted bidder and by his surctics, by or before
the fifteenth day of February, 1858. Tho contract
is to provide, among other things that the pay OF
the trip is to be forfeited when the trip s not per-
formed, and not more than three times tho pay OF
the trip when the trip 10 not run, and no sufficient
excuse for the failure lie furnished, and due pro-
portion Of II when grade of service is rendered
inferior to that specified in the contract and that
fines may be imposed, unless the delinquency be
sai factorily explained in due time; for failing to
take FROM to deliver into, the post Office Mt the
port OF landing the mail belonging thereto, or any
part OF said mail; for suffering the mail or any
part Of it, 70 be wet, injured lost, or destroyed; for
IL in place or manner that exposes it
to depreciation, loss, injury; for refusing, after
demand made, to convey a mail by any additional
vessel, vehicle run by the contractor
on tho route, over and above the specified number
Of trips in tho contract and for not arriving ut the
time set; also, for transmitting intelligence, or
the means OF transmitting intelligence,
in advance of the mail. The Postmaster General
may annul the contract for repeated failures; for
the post Office laws; for disobcying the
Of tho Department; for refusing to
discharge a carrier when required by the Depart
mcnt; for assigning the contract without the con
sent Of tho Postmaster General or for setting up or
running an express as aforesaid. rsht. s.r 4
Y The Postmaster General may alter the contract,
and alter the schedule, no allowing pro rata in.
crease of compensation, within tho restrictions
imposed by law for any increased service required
but the contractor may, in such case, relinquish
the contract timely notice, if he prefer it to the
change. The Postmaster General may also dis
continue or curtail the service, he allowing one
months cxtra pay on the amount dispensed
with. .5tytt .l,,..asf. E ....h.q .,ass A. ID
4 The route, tho service, the yearly pay, the bid
der nasnc and residence, and the name Of each
member q tho arm, where a company offers, should
edistioctly stated in the proposals., I'm .r ,.,
o.. IL I..