Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-11
ees,sss 80
$4,000 90
e,e25,97l %
From this sum must be deducted the amount
payable to the British Post Office under
the Postal Convention of December, 184S,
as now estimated from statement Of the

FROM this sum must be deducted the amount
payable to the British Post Office under
the Postal Convention of December, 1848,
as now estimated from statement Of the
Auditor 10l, 1888 SO
The receipts from postage American and Foreign for
the last fiscal year less by 81 1874 AZ than for
the preceding fiscal year. being decrease Of about %
per cent II the estimated balances accruing to the Bril-
fish post office for each year excluded for the pur
pose Of showing the decrease of postages that
decrease will amount to 81 69654 about 224 per
cent.
This dimnution in hostages is attributable to the
reduction in the rates of postage made by the act Of
March ID, 1851 which reduction took effect at the
mencement Of the last fiscal year.
This dimnution of is somewhat greater than
was anticipated in this Department at the time it went
into effect and much greater than expected by the
sanguine advocate OF cheap postage, many Of whom
sought the establishment of still lower rates.
Although the act referred to has in its operation
during the last year fulfilled the predictions of its friends
by increasing the correspondence of the country in pro-
portion to Its reduction Of postage should nevertheless
question the expediency OF return to higher rates. All
experience warrants the expectation that the
nifty becomes accustomed to cheap postage written
respondence will increase From this cause, and from
the rapid growth Of the country in population and bust
ness the receipts of the Department must ultimately
coed its expenses and enable it to refund to the Treasury
the sums advanced In the time the appropriations
made from the Treasury in aid of the Post Office Estab
shment may be deemed safe and benefcent investments
for the advantage of the cho people, each one Of whom
If not engaged in business correspondence has deep in
terest in the diffusion of intelligence and the promotion Of
social intercourse.
By the 9Th section of theac of 3st August 1882 the
Postmaster General is authorised to provide and furnish
to all and other persons applying and paying
therefor leterenyeopes with postage stamps
impressed thereon to be used in prepayment postage
These envelopes are in Of preparation, and
will soon be for sale at the principal post Offices
As letters enclosed them may be legally sent by private
express or other private conveyance there win remain
color of for further violations of the laws in
that respect That the experiment Of cheap postage may
be fairly tried it is important that the of the
Department be protected against this abuse not only by
the vigilance of its agents. to whom the law has
trusted the power to search for and such letters but
also by public sentiment and by the active exertons Of
the intelligent and influential portion of the community
1t is by thus securing to this Department the receipts
which the law has assigned for its support that the period
be fastened when it will again be sustained by its
own proper revenues and the common Treasury of the
country relieved from further advances for its service
The expenditures of the Department during the last
fiscal follows: