The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-24

black mail in this way and not one cent has
beer paid into the national treasury.
AT first the Secretary could not believe that sn
Gle dollar had been thus collected Indeed he could
| not believe they had passed by the United states
District Attorney in bringing their mock suits one
of these agents was just green enough 70 give re-
ceipt but he was not 80 green as to pay the money
! into the treasury. I exhibited the receipt to the
Secretary. He took a copy, and called the agent W
al account at once.
If there are any other receipts outstanding let
them be sent here if there is proof OF any money
having been paid let the proof be sent here.
Much of the timber land has been taken by the
Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company. And what is LETT
is fast beirg entered; By next spring ! doubt
any lumber to steal Our lumber dealers will soon
be entirely in the power Of the canal company.
The Postmaster General is devoting all bis leisure
time to the investigation OF the causes OF the great
delay and irregularities OF the mails.
He greatly censures the Postmasters at the begin
ming and the end Of routes for two faults =
lst They do not hold contractors to their sshed-
| ules. They give them the mail when they want 1t,
whereas they should not let them have 1t until the
hour specified in the contract And they do not re-
port their failures at all II is frequently the cae,
shown by the books here, that whilst Postmasters
lsrites and frequent failures the Postmssers at the
beginning and end OF routes, whose duty 1t is to
port, say nothing. They either too lazy or too
corrupt to do their duty, and the Postmaster Gene
raj is making warning in their case for oil evil
/ doors.
| % Postmasters at the beginning and end ofrou.es
use too many mail bags, and thereby furnish facii-
! ties for contractors in evading their contracts. A
contractor goes where be pesses, and has his little
mail bags to send side supply 10 the Offices he has
omitted. This is all wrong. No contractor should
be allowed but one way mail bag, and that mail bag
should be opened at every office On the road, and no
Postmaster should give contractor mail beGRs q
means Of changing or evading his contract.
| Many evils of which we complain are the result Of
the negligence or corruption Of in not re-
porting singular instance was brought to my at
complaining of mail grievances. Everybody had
written but the one whose duty it to write. The
Postmaster had said nothing until the last week
He writes, giving very bad account OF things in
his region, and finally winds up
This has been the way In which onr contractor DON
Quoted for the past year and havs made my mind to
stand it n, or ger ard SO write you, telling all the
fsefs.
Now who was to blame here, the neighboring Post
master or the Department Had he done his duty,
the people would have had their grievances remedied
in the first Instance.
[Correspondsnce OF tbs Detroit Free Press
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 1854
The subject fthe California mail contract is exciting
considerable attention here The Panama route, the
Nicaragua route and the Ocean and Inland Mail
Companys route, via Vera Cruz and Acapulco, are
all represented here by gentlemen who are urging
the claims of each. understand that the Postmas
terGeneral, at an interview with two gentle men in
was in favor of their route and opposed to the Ocean
and Inland Mail Company's route Mr.. Campbell is
undoubtedly DESTROYS of giving the contract to that
route which will best subserve the public interest,
and will therefore, select that which the mails
can be most speedily transported. The route via
Vera Cruz and Acapulco is certainly shorter by seve
raj days than any otoer route. The Ocean and In
land Mail Company certainly make very fair offer
when they propose TO be paid for carrying the mail
on condition that they shall transport it from New
York or New Orleans to San Francisco in less time
than it can be transported by any other route
This company viii probably be in operation early
in the spring. They claim that they have only to
complete their arrangements to ensure the connec-
ton OF steamers at either end of their route to en-.
able them to surpass any other route in point OF
speed. Some gentlemen of high standing in
the commercial world are connected with this
company, such men as Commodore Vanderbilt
and Mr.. Schuyler, Of New York. who do not engage
in any thing Of this KIM unless they have
Of its success. Ii all they claim for the route shall
prove true, presume Mr. Campbell will not hesitate
to give them the contract. At present he is dis
posed, however, TO give the contract for semi.
Weller has already introduced bill establishing a
mail route via Nicaragua ! understand that bill
will be soon introduced to the House requiring con
tracts TO be given to the route over which the mails
Can be transported in the shortest time
very liberal and patriotic offer has been made TO
he navy department by Commodore Wander oilt.
He offers to construct steam frigate on his own
account which, when completed, he will submit to
prove to be in every respect adapted for the service
be will sell it to the government for the actually
expended in its construction. II 1t does not prove
to be entirely satisfactory to the Navy De 1arment
he will retain it for his own use. All M. Wander
bt will gain by the transaction, therefore, is the
honor of having furnished first class steam rigate
for the laval service OF his country.
1t il thought that Hon. VIM. Allen will be elected
to the United States Senate frcm Ohio at the cleo
tion to he had in a few days. notwithstanding he
has declined to be o candidate.
Correspondence Of the Phadslpsia North American
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1854.
The Senate had short executive session to-day,
during which number Of nominations were received
and referred, and several Of minor importance con-
firmed. Commercial treaties or conventions with
Belgium and the Swiss cantons were received, and
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. No
progress, that | can learn, was made with Mr.. Red
fields nomination, and presume it remains perdm,
on account of the continued absence Of Mr. Seward,
who is expected TO make speech against its conr
nation. Mr.. Seward has been called home by the
serious illness OF one OF his family.
The troubles at Erie begin to excite attention at
Washington. Numerous reports and counter reports
have been received by the President, the Secretary
OF the Interior the Postmaster General and the Sec
retary OF the Treasury representing and denying
certain facts. The Railroad Company and ths peo-
pie OF New York and Ohio adjacent to the scene of
excitement, are seeking TO enlist the President on
their side and to induce him to call out the militia
OF those States to enforce the laws least to issue
proclamation for the suppression of the disorder.
ouuSc nuc dHu MI OulO, nave UaOe Tcpre.
sensations to the President and several members Of
the Cabinet against the conduct of the collect post
master, and lighthouse keeper at Ere looking prob
ably to their removal The direct agents of the rail-
road, and the owners Of produce and goods delayed
on either side Of the break have made their state
ments, and the marshal has made his. The matter
has been debated in the House and Senate, and In
the Cabinet. Hon. James Thompson, long . mem
Der Of Congress from Erie attends faithfully at the
White House and the Capitol, in behalf Of the people
and corporation Of Erie. In multitude Of counsel
Tors there is said to be safety and if the saying is
universally true neither Erie nor the country is in
any danger.
There must be separation between the soft shells
and the administration II the Nebraska bill is to be
adopted government measure, rs it seems to
have been already. The State Senate of Ohio has
instructed the representatives Of the State to oppose
the slavery clause OF the bill, and Mr. Benton's or
esd in 81. Louis the Democrat, has taken the same
ground. l think the bill will pass just az 1t came
from the committee, or with Mr.. Dixons amend
melt, the desgn of which is TO introduce slavery into
Wit rhaxaxv n,,f