The daily union., 1854-07-27
THE CALIFORNIA MAILS.--REPLY OF ME5SRs
RAMSEY AND CARMICK.

the New York papers in regard to contract for weekly
mail to California by the Ramsey route In that article,
for the purpose of elieng information, addressed
series of nterogatores to the parties who supposed
be dissatisfied with the conduct of the Postmaster Cen
era In doing So desired to obtain that would
exhibit the and be of service members of Congress
acting upon important public question Messrs Ram
sey and Carmck have addressed communication, in
which they respond to questions and to that extent
readily lay it before readers They proceed, how
ever PROFOUND series of questions TO which involve
matters of controversy of personal and private character
between those gentlemen and others who enormously
supposed have sort Of interest connexon in
iuenee with us which decline publish Our object
to defend faithful public officer against unjust assaults
and in doing this if find it necessary TO comment upon
the conduct of parties dissatisfied with that officer, will
not hesitate open our columns them for their defence
But beyond this cannot consent to go and because
Messs Ramsey and Carmck address to questions which
have connexion with the matters commented by
exclude them. We hesitate not to express anxiety
for weekly mail to California, and repeat the wish
that Congress may yet make provision for such i'm
provement Whether that object shall be accomplished by
the Ramsey route the Tehuantepec route any other
route in which individuals may feel an inter
concerned we not what route is adopted so it
secures weekly communication with Pacific pos
sessions in the shortest time and the best terms.
The gentleman alluded to by Messrs Ramsey and Car
mick as having had sort of agency in article
ignorant ofits preparation and of our intention to
make the publication as those gentlemen themselves We
advocate no another but when the Post
master General is unusty assailed ready and will
ln., ln ,,irp 10,
Messrs Ramsey and Carmch we shall be prompt repair
ing the wrong whenever it is discovered To give them
the full benefit of our columns vindcaon of their rights
give place much Of their letter relates to de-
fence of Judge Campbell following it with such comments
be necessary for the full understanding of
the matters in controversy
To the Editor of the Union:
Our attention has been called to editorial article of
the Union of this date headed The California Nails In
this our names frequently mentioned and certain ques-
tons are asked director the purpose doubt
enghtening the public with points
nected with Called upon your Witness
cheerfuy hasten to reply in order that you may spread
the same before your readers without delay You wish
to know
aFrst Whether the grant of certain transit privileges
through Mexico, from Vera Cruz to Acapulco which
claimed by Messrs Ramsey and Carmck, have not been
of the grant?'
To this inquiry answer that these transit privileges
have not been forfeited they subject to forfeiture
that the conditions have all been performed And further
more have received every encouragement assistance
and kindness from the government of Mexico up to the
latest dates in forwarding orr enterprise We also believe
from every received from the Mexican govern
men that they anxious for the success of under
taking
Question "second7 is replied to in the above answer
The information which you predicate the assertion awe
understand there have been extensions already of the
transit privileges is incorrect There former
tract on the same subject which aicaby aside as
it did not meet the wishes of either party
The third question is "Whether there is any applca
pending for waiver of the forfeiture of the grant by
the Mexican government? We answer that there is no
occasion for any such appcaon and has been
made pending We would here remark that the Mex-
government executive) orfeits grants
tracts because forres left to the action of the
of law does the executive annul contracts The
ceness of contracts too nvioate in that country for
the executive to interfere.
"Fourh. Whether there is any grant of transit
privileges through Mexico forming line Of communca-
ton to and from the Pacific binding and obligatory
the Mexican except to the Tehuantepec Com
pany which recognised and made valuable by the
Gadsden treaty.? Our reply to this inquiry is that we
have contract for transit mail privileges across Mexico
object the istmus of Tchuantepec where only ideal
line of communication at present exists As there
Tehuantepec companies cannot define the value of the
rights of either between these the Gaay grant
certainly the moro favorable for mail facilities the other
and recent grant requires touching at Vera Cruz
and Acapulco and sailing from these ports the sthmus
under tue Mexican flag, which would be productive of
much inconvenience,
"Fh Whether the Acapulco route is, is likely to be
put in any condition for the of wheel carriages, and
whether with all the newspaper and pamphleteer-tak,
there has ever been any mail matter conveyed that
route weighing ms much as twenty pounds?n To,
this the answer is that the whole route between Vera
Cruz and Acapulco is three hundred and eighty-four
miles by exact measurement, lately made under our
direction and supervision Twelve miles of this rail-
road in operation From thence to Orizaba and Puebla,
one hundred and forty nine miles there excellent
pike national road which cost several millions of dollars
and equal TO any turnpike road of the same extent
in the United States from thence the Muscala river
hundred and two miles the road in all respects good
and from the Muscaa river to Acapulco, only foryeght
miles of the distance require repairs suitable for wheel
riages which easily and rapidly be completed. The
Mexican mails carried daily between Vera Cruz
and Puebla weighing from three to six hundred pounds
and to Acapulco twice every week, weighing from to
two hundred pounds, The running time taken for the
whole distance is exactly FIVE days This is the oldest
maroute the American continent dating from the
year 1866 For two centuries it the only Spanish
route from to for the trade in merchandise &c,
between India and Spain AS you desire information on
the points answered. refer you to the GudeBook of
Mexico, by his cxcellency General Amonte Aamans His
tory of Mexico, Humooifs New Spain, and to many other