The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-31

nmy published letter OF the 27lh instant respectfully
submitted 10 the consideration OF Congress and the pub
lic that mail steamers Of proper construction and
nage such might at any time be converted into
sells OF war. indeed valuable additions TO our naval
the double function of in
creasing the number and efficiency of ships, and
yng maritime reputation to those shores from which
alone the peace of our country might be disturbed.
The New York and Liverpool mail steamers of the
Collins line. which have outsailed all their British
petors have done TO increase the respect of Eng
land for our navy and our naval skill than any achieve
ment OF since the of 1912, and have doubt
helped 10 increase the desire the part OF Great Britain
TO remain with us on terms of amty and peace. They
have furnished employment to thousands of industrious
hands, established workshops and machine Shops and
by the consumption of large amounts of products OF the
forest and the mines (wood, Ton and coal) have slim
ulaied the internal industry OF the country.
While these gratifying results obtained the question
may arise whether, to quote old adage of Benjamin
franklin. The government does not pay dear for the
whistler It is my purpose to meet this question.
After the establishment Of British transatlantic mail
steamers the mail of the United States for Europe and
Europe for the Uoed States exclusively carried by
England and profitable this service 10 the British
government. that. Notwithstanding the large paid by
II to the Cunard line for carrying the mail il actually re-
allied profit that line Of FIVE millions OF dollars
This be proved to the Committee on Naval Affairs
The profits realized by the Cunard line and the British
government enabled both to double the service and they
would have than quadruped it, If no American
rival enterprise had started into existence Allowing
that American citizens pay half the postage between the
United States and Europe, and half the freghts hey
certainly pay three fouhs OF all the passage money!
should have contributed to build up British nava
steam forces commercial and maritime monopolis in
time OF peace, and a formidable defensive and az
gressive power in time Of war. We should have beer
l.. L..n
| Britain
Under these circumstances, the Collins line esab
lished, means Of counteractng the British monopoly
and increasing steam navy by vessels useful peace
and formidable in The result OF this enterprise IA
public utility is concerned, has surpassed the
gune expectations We are now earning considerable,
portion Of the postage and citizens share in the
passenger and freight trade between the United States and
Europe All this is clear saving of money which must
otherwise have gone TO England; but it is not only
saving regards the United Sates-it is also dimnu
ton Of the tribute ,naieh government and citizen
tooud haze been obliged TO pay 10 England, and dmin
ishes by that amount her prepondeance in the scale
power
| But, while large sums OF money thus annually
saved TO our country and TO the government the actual
disbursements OF the latter not materially increased
The hostages received from the Collins line by the Pos
Office Department. during the first four months OF the
TAT 80 short OF meeting the first four months
pensaion OF that line and this under the constant en-
deavor of the British General Post Once TO favor their
own line OF steamers, and to hostages its own
ships And If the service OF the Collins line were to be
increased, recommended by the Postmaster General
and Secretary OF the Navy, to be able to alternate
with the British steamers, government could insist
on full reciprocity and haH the postage all mail
matter between the United States and Europe. which
would only the ,chok compensation asked for By
the Collins lac, but aoiuay eaue 10 he De-
partmenf from thai source BY increasing the compen.
saiion OF that lne WILL OF course, render proportionay
greater service; but the earnings OF the Post Office De-
pament in the shape Of postage. will be fur grester in
proportion than the additionally allowed, and event
saly enable the government 10 reimburse Itself for The
sphoie o~aoy with interest and profit
This believe, is OF the strongest Arguments thai
can be submitted to the consideration OF Congress in
favor OF the Collins line; but il by means exhausts
the reasons that may be respectfully urged that honor
able body for acccdng TO the recommendations OF the
executive departments, May not be allowed to pre-
sent some Of these in subsequent communication
ATLANTIC