The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1854-03-22
INSTRUCTIONS,

(As to regularly numbered routes.)
Embracing conditions to be incorporated IN the
contracts to the trtent the Department MAY
deem proper.
I. Seven minutes are allowed to each inter
mediate office, when not otherwise specified for
asserting the mails; but railroad and steam-
boat routes there is to be no more delay than is
sufficient for an exchange of the mail bags.
g On routes where the mode of conveyance
admits of it, the special agents of the Depart
ment, also post office blanks, mail bags, locks
and KEYS, are to be convened without extra
charge.
3. On railroad and steamboat lines, British
and Canada mails, when offered, are to be con-
veyed without additional pay; also the route
agents Of the Department, for whose exclusive
use while travelling with the mails, commodi
Gus car, or apartment in the centre Of car, Prop
ery lighted, warmed, and furnished, and adapt
ed to the convenient assortment and due secu-
rity of the same, is to be provided by the con.
traciur, under the direction of the Department.
4. No pay will be made for trips not perform.
ed and for each of such omissions not satisfactor
lily explained 3times the pay ofthe trip may be
deducted. For arrivals SO far behind time as to
break connection with depending mails, and not
sufficiently excused, one fourth Of tn compen-
saton for the trip is subject to forfeiture. De-
duction will also be ordered for a grade of per-
torrance inferior to that specified in the con-
tract For repeated delinGuencies of the kind
herein specified, enlarged penalties, proportioned
to the nature thereof and the importance of the
mail, may be made.
s. For leaving behind, or throwing OFF the
mails, or any portion OF them, for the admission
Of passengers, or for being concerned in setting
up running an express conveying commercial
intelligence ahead of the mail, quarters pay
NAV be deducted
6. Fines will be imposed, unless the delin-
quency be promptly and satisfactorily explained
by certificates of postmasters, or the affidavts OF
Of other creditable persons, for failing to arrive
in contract time; for neglecting to take the mail
from, or deliver ii into, post office; for suffer-
ing it lowing either 10 the unsuitableness of the
place or manner of carrying it) to be injured, de
stroyed, robbed, or lost; and for refusing, after
demand, to convey the mail as frequently as the |
contractor runs, or is concerned in running, |
COACH car or steamboat, on route.
7. The Postmaster General may annul the |
contract for repeated failures to run agreeably
to contract; for disobeying the Post Office laws,
or the instructions Of The Department; for re-
fusing to discharge carrier when required BY |
the Department 10 do SO; for assigning the con. |
tract without the assent of the Postmaster Gen. |
eral; for running an express aforesaid or for |
persons or packages conveying |
ma,lable matter out Of the mail
3. The Postmaster General may order an in. |
crease of service on route by allowing therefor
a pro rata increase the contract pay. He |
may change the schedule of arrivals and depar- |
lures, without increase Of pay, provided he does
not curiail the amount Of runRing time. He
may also order an increase Of speed, he allowing
within the restrictions Of the law, pro rata
increase fpay for the additional stock o. car