The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-09

transit rates of postage mails passing through the
United Kingdom to and from the Continent Of Europe
and the United States, respectively and embrace the
earliest moment Of carrying out this intention
net alone with France that improved facilities of
tra especially would with the United States be
benefited by more liberal policy in this respect on the
part of the British government would the latter
fer by the adoption of such policy. Experince has
shown that an exorbtant postage tar Is sure means Of
prohibiting to great extent correspondence by mail
and consequently restricting the to the
government from that source besides withhodnu from
the people the accommodation which, in this age so
remarkable for activity ahd enterprise in all important
Aside fromhe fact that under the Postal Convention
of 18th December, 1885, with Great Britain the United
rates transit charge Is but IN cents an eunce on let
and the British North American Rrovnces through the
United States and that under said treaty letters to
from the Kingdom, transmitted to and from the re-
hottest parts of the United States Oregon and California
excepte at five cents the single rate where cit
zens are charged 10 cents we have now the additional
mails should be reduced, viz that by the law Of the
late session Of Congress- it has been construed the
postage all letters between the United Kingdom and
Oregon or California is and after the 1st July next
be reduced from SO to 20 cents the single rate and the
United Statos charge under the old law for the British
closed mails which conveyed direct from England
via Panama to San Francisco viii be reduced from
10 centa to so cents per being the
per cent on the present price These certany ara co
siaerations which should not be overlooked.
Furthermore, if the british Post Office shall be per-
to and from San Francisco via New York. the basis
two rates to the ounce with the addition of 25 per cent
between New York and San Francisco to come down
from 40 to 10 cents the price of such closed mail will
large degree be lowered from one dollar he present
cent Whether not will be deemed advisable to grant
this latter privilege of closed mail at the reduced rate
suggested remains to be considered OF course there is
nothing In the treaty spulaons requrng Of u.s. since
California Is of the United States and foreign coun
tries and British Colonies Possessions the only
places to and from which the treaty provides that
British Office may send closed mails in transit through
the United States.
beg leave to refer to another consideration which
should In my judgment have much weight in inducing
the British government to take favorable action in the
matter. By the German-Austrian Postal Convention
which went into operation the st July 1885, it was
that the rates of postage throughout Austria
Prussia and indeed in most If not all the States of Ger
many have been greatly reduced and it is represented
that the high transit postage through England Is the
y obstacle in the way of rendering the Convention avail
able to all parties concerned in the large correspondence
and business transactions between the United States and
these countries.
Articles of agreement between this department and
the Post Office Of Prussia have been prepared providing
for the reciprocal receipt and delivery of letters and
packets in closed mails between the United States and
Prussia to be conveyed through England but their final
hs osel for , in the
ment would finally yield to the reasonable demands OF
the contracting parties for reduction Of their transient
postage and thus facilitate the communication much
desired on either side.
In view of these considerations and of the fact also
that the United States rates OF postage letters and
newspapers by American ships to the continent of Eu
rope to be considerably reduced after 1st Juy-no
TO mention other facts and circumstances bearing upon
this matter 1t is still believed that the British govern
ment win the propriety of permitting the transit
mails through England at rates much below those now
established for such correspondence.
Mr.. Lawrence has the subject before him. and trust
he win pursue it with Characteristic energy until the
end in view shall be accomplished.
have the honor to be- sir very respectfully your
obedent servant, N. X. HALL. p NJ General.
Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER, Secretary Of State