The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-13
FOREIGN MAILS.

"An act to provide for tri-monthly mail from
New Orleans to Vera Cruz via Tampico, and
back, in steam vessels.
"Bs it enacted By the Senate and House Of Repre-
ssntatiues 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 q contract for q term of five years, and for
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 month from New Orleans, via
Tampico, 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 ..2 E..
H PROPOSALS n
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
States, for five years from the fifteenth of Feb
raary' 1885, in the manner and time herein spe-
From New Orleans, Ua.,) by Tampco, (Mexi-
COZ to Vera Cruz about 900 miles. and back three
times month, in steamships. Time allowed
from port to port to be three days; the schedule
b to cy he Of Ss GsneH
Proposals to carry in four days, each way, will
also be considered. b" EEI'. 3g'
Proposals to omit Tampico by mail line, and
nexon will be considered in the event of it's being
shown to be impracticable to enter that port with
the steamships of the line s,ra-, .a'.. . ! h..
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 vessels to San ancisco and backs
The time in passing from Vera Cruz to Acapulco
not to exceed one hundred twenty. hours, Gave
days,) and pice Uersa, and between Acapulco and
San Francisco not to exceed eight days. @
Proposals are also invited for semi monthly trips,
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 Tampico and Vera
Cruz to Acapulco and back, to run in not exceed
ing eight days each way, and in due connection
with the semi .monthIy trips of the mail steamships
of the present line between Acapulco and San
Francisco. ttg#.-t 0sr a- .Ws& |.H s}& D..
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 tive to
be run in connexion with the present Pacific mail
line, 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. ''-
! 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.. .. ..~. 3 .-.. ,
In regard to. hat part of the service between
Vera Cruz and Acapulco, the bidder will be re-
quired to satisfy the Department before entering
into contract that he has full privilege and autho
rity to in the terms of the contract the
vice herein called for without interference, and In
accordance with treaty stipnlations.
In regard 10 the steamship part of the service on
| the route between New Orleans and Vera Cruz,
the proposals should set forth the size, rate, and
description of the vessel. (Which must be of not
less than eight hundred tons borden, y 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
enable tho decision to be made the advice of the
proper officers Of the naval service, whether the
same 10 or is not convertible into ship of war.
| And special notice IL hereby given that, agreea.
bly, to the provisions Of the act Of Congress of Sd
March ls4s those proposals for the last described
speets) will be preferred which shall stipulate to
deliver the steamship or ships, to be provided for
carrying said mais to the United States, to their
proper officer, on demand made, for the purpose OF
being converted into vessel vessels Of war; the
| United States being bound, on their part, to pay
the fair full value thereof at the time of delivery
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
! of the United States. " .. ...|
The laws on this subject are the 7th section of
the act of March 3, Is45, and the third section of
the act of June 81, ls4s, to which bidders are re-
| ferred.
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 it, at his dis.
erection. Such stipulation may induce preference
to be given in favor Of bid equal in other respects
over bid not containing it.
By the second section of the act of March 3, ls45,
it 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. ~ ...ar ..,......... I'd. ..'..-. p.
Articles of contract are to be executed by the
accepted bidder and by his sureties, by or before
the fifteenth day of February, 1858. The contract
is to provide among other ihings. that the pay of
the trip 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
excuse for the failure is furnished, and due pro-
portion of it when grade of service is rendered
inferior to that specified in the contract; and that
fines may be imposed, unless the delinquency be
sat facorily explained in due time; for failing TO
take FROM to deliver into, the post 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 be wet injured, lost, or destroyed Tor
conveying II in place or manner that exposes it
to depreciation. loss, injury; for refusing, after
demand made, to convey mail by any additional
steamship, vessel, 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, Tor transmitting intelligence, or
furnishing the means Of transmitting intelligence,
in advance of the mail. The Postmaster General
may annul the contract for repeated failures; for
violating the post Office lave; for disobeyi the
instructions OF the Department; for refusing to
| discharge a carrier when required 10y the Depart
ment; for assigning the contract without the con
sent Of the Postmaster General or for setting up
running express as aforesaid HF ,
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 the contractor may, in such case, relinqush
tho contract timely notice, il he prefer il to the
change. The Postmaster General may also dis-
| continue or curtail the service, he allowing one
months extra pay on the amount dispensed
| with
/ The route, the service, the yearly pay, The bid
| dcr's name and residence and the name of each
member OF the firm, where company offers, should
I distinctly stated in the proposals.