The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-10-28

New Orleans to Vera Cruz via Tamplco, and
back in steam vessels.
"Bs IL enacted by The Ssnaie and House of Repre-
senfafipes of The United STATES Of America in Con-
gross assembled, That the Postmaster General be
and he is hereby authorized and directed to enter
into a 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 aud satisfactory security, after due pub
lie notice, for the transportation of the mails of the
United States, upon the best terms for the United
Tampico to Vert Cruz and back, in steam vessels
of not less 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"-
PROPOSALS
Will be received at the Contract Office of the Post
Office Department, in the city Of Washington,
til O'Clock p. m. OF Monday, the Sd day Of Janu
airy next, TO be decided by the 9th Of the same
month"; for conveying the mails of the United
States, for FIVE years from the fifteenth of Feb.
cited: ",'T -
From New Orleans, Na,) by Tampico, (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
(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, tri- monthly, by side vessel, in due
nexion, will be considered in the event of its being
shown to be impracticable to enter that port with
the steamships of the line
Proposals will also be considered for the extern.
sion Of two of the above trips from Vera Cruz 10
thence by steam vessels to San Fra ncisco and backe
The time in passing from Vera Cruz to Acapulco
not to exceed one hundred twenty hours, Give
days,) and uice rersn, and between Acapulco and
San Francisco not to exceed eight days.
Proposals are leo invited for semi monthly tripe,
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., above. Also, for two additional
trips from New Orleans via Tampico and Vera
Cruz to Acapulco and back, to run in not exceed
ing eigh, 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 So
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 two to
be run in connection with the present Pacific mail
line, as to give to California weekly mail. The
time betw cen 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. g. t-.
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. -
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 auho.
rity to execute in the terms OF the contract the
vice herein called for without interference, and in
accordance with treaty stipulations.
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
description Of the vessel. (Which must be of not
less than eight hundred tons burden, and in re-
gard to the service between San Francisco and
puco, the proposals should set forth descrip-
ton of the vessel with sufficient paricularit to
enable tho decision to be made OH the advice OF the
proper officers of the naval service, whether the
same is or is not convertible into ship Of war.
And special notice is hereby given that, agreea.
bly, to the provisions Of the act Of Congress of Sd
March, lS45 those proposals for the last described
section of the route (being acceptable in other re-
spects) will be; preferred which shall stipuate to
deliver the steamship ships, to be provided for
carrying said mails to the United States or to their
proper officer, on demand made, for the purpose Of
being converted into vessel vessels of wars the
United States being bound, on their part, to pay
the fair full value thereof at the time Of delivery
to be ascertained by four appraisers, appointed,
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. ' . .a.
The laws on this subject are the 7th section Of
the act of March 3, 1S45 and the third section Of
ferred. ..,. s..- ....... '
The bidder may embrace in his offer stpua-
ton to carry an agent OF the Post Office Depart
ment with the mails, or he may omit it, at his die
cretion. 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, 1885,
it is required that contracts for the of
the mail from the United States to foreign ports
shall be made with American citizens, and the
mail transported in American vcsscls by American
citizens. as b, .. >4, ....... .,..... =.
accepted bidder and by his surctes, by or before
the fifteenth day Of February, 1853. The contract
is to provide, among other things, that the pay OF
the trip 10 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 10 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
sa factosily explained in due time; for failing to
take FROM or to deliver into the post office at the
port Of Handing the mail belonging thereto or any
part of said mail; for suffering the mail, or any
part of IT, to be wet, injured lost, destroyed for
conveying 1t in place or manner that exposes II
to depreciation, lose, or injury for refusing, after
demand made, to convey mail by any additonai
steamship vessel, or vehicle run by the contractor
on the route, over and above the specified number
uf trips in the contract and tor not arriving at the
time set; ALEC, for transmitting Intelligence, or
furnishing the means Of transmitting intelligence,
NAV annul the contract for repeated failures; for
violating the post Office laws; for disobeying the
instructions OF the Department; for refusing to
discharge carrier when required ~ the Depart
ment; for assigning the contract without the con
sent Of the Postmaster General, or for setting up
running an express as aforesaid. So. a.
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, rclnquish
the contract on timely notice, II he prefer II TO the
change. The Postmaster General may also die
continue or curtail the service, he allowing one
months extra pay on the amount dispensed
with. - ." ' -".'. .."a. q -
The route, the service, the yearly pay, the bid
der's name and residence, and the name Of each
member Of the frm where a company offers, should
be distinctly stated in the proposals. ..a. y