Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-19
States.

This comparison shows n decrease in the
annual transportation in Sonth Carolina, which
results from the fact that new contracts are not
yet concluded for the steamboat routes between
Charleston and Savannah and Charleston and
New York, and they are therefore not embraced
in the statement of service as in operation 30th
September last, although they are now, and
will probably continue, in operation. Of the
423,673 miles Of additional service under the
new contracts, 1886 are performed by rail
road. Ofthe additional cost of$ll7,077, $751;
95T is for railroad service.
The total annual transportation under the
new contracts, as adjusted for the quarter
ending 3Oth September, is l0,S47,379 miles,
and the total annual cost, $996,843, divided
as follows, viz:
3,390,303 miles by railroad, at $485, l88,
or IA cents 3 mills per mile.
799,746 miles by steamboat, at $l06,874,
or l33 cents per mile.
2,l7l,l25 miles by coach, at Sl5l ,78l, or
cents per mile.
4,486,205 miles inferior modes. at $253,
900, or 5 cents 6 mills per mile.
There should also be added $6,l84 for the
cost of additional route agents, mail messen-
gers, and local agents appointed since the lst
July last, and Sl540 for the Charleston and
New York and Charleston Savannah routes,
which are expected to continue at the same
rate as under toe former contract.
On the 30th June last there were in service
3l9 route agents. at a compensation Of $685.
ITO 65; % local agents at $l9,328 and 9Sl
mail messengers, at $l0047l 65-makng
total of 1854, 80 to be added to the other
cost of transportation. This makes the total
amount for The current year S5,824,989 30
which will probably be increased to $6000,000
by the new service on the Mississippi river and
routes established by the last Congress.
The cost of foreign mail service paid for by
this department is not included in the foregoing
statements, and amounts to $6ll ACT.
In my last annual report ! gave reasons
which, il appeared to me, clearly justified
some delay in making a contract for conveying
the mails by steamboat between Cairo and
New Orleans under the act of Congress of 9Th
August, 1854. My expectation was that more
advantageous terms would be secured after
the final completion of the Illinois Central
railroad, and the opening of the Ohio and
Mississippi road from the east to its point OF
intersection with the Illinois Central. Accord
ingly, negotiations were had with several par.
ties, though without any favorable issue until
the Sd of April last, when | concluded con-
tract with Mr.. James f. Joy, to convey mails
on the route from Cairo to New Orleans and
back daily, in suitable steamboats,, agreeably
to the advertisement of the 3lst of August,
1854, for the compensation of $lS0,000 per
annum, he having visited Washington with full
powers 10 negotiate and conclude such a con-
tract on behalf Of the Illinois Central Railroad
Company, as stated to me in letter from z.
NJ A. Griswold, pre-, ident thereof, dated the
23d Of March last. On the oath Of April Mr..
Joy informed the department that arrange
ments had been made for number of boats,
probably TO go into the line Immediately. The
contract was so ordered, and, considering the
wealth and influence of that corporation, and
its direct interest in connecting the railroad
with regular line Of boats to New Orleans,
there was every reason to expect prompt and
faithful performance Of the stipulated service.
Some delay was 10 be expected owing to the
magnitude OF the enterprise, but did not per.
init myself to doubt that the service would
commence as soon as practicable. To my sur.
prise, however, after waiting some time for
report on the subject, ] received letter, dated
10th July last, from the vice president of the
Illinois Central Railroad Company, informing
me OF failure TO organize a line of boats, and
submitting new propositions, which | could
not consistently entertain. In letter dated
18th September, he wrote again, enclosing o
proposal from another party mt S350.000 per
annum. | answered. on the I'd October, that
must require the railroad company TO perform
service on the terms agreed upon, and TO com.
mence in two weeks from that date, and that,
in case Of failure to do so, il would be my i'm.
pcraiiye duty to advertise the route for a re.
letting, and to hold the company responsible
Cor the difference. IL any, between the sum
contracted for by IL aud ,hat which should
have 20 pay under the advertisement. Under
date of 9Th October, the company replied to
nv letter of:he ID, but expressed no intention
% commencing service; and, after waiting
until the 20lh October, i advertised the route,
iaviiing proposals until 30th November, to be
decided by "a December, and service TO com
rneace lat January, 1856.
In making this s,aiemen, u is bat proper
shoad adj that, in my opinion. the directors
of the Illinois Central Railroad Company used
every exertion IN their power 10 comply with
their engagements, but failed 10 do -, owing
10 the very hiFh pricss demanded OF them by
thg owners a the boats. A Acomparison Of the
prices paid ior steamboat service by the de.
psrtmesi, IN every part of the Union. shows
that he highest price given per mile is &l9l Is,
add this on an imporiant route, on which the
contractors are subject 10 an extraordinary
NNtAtN ~ W. F&N Attttk w WV ~ NNfAAn
bit that the nverage price u $50 60 per mile
A the sum - q sleo 900, ths price agreed 90 be
given 70 she llliaois Central Railroad Company.
the rate pr mile wonid ~ sls9 30 bat ~
s3So 600, the psice demanded from The rail-
road compasy we're paid, the coat per mile
woali rsAch the vefy high rate ~ $3.50 CO.
a price which ooald noi have been coniem'
plated NJ CopRuss When The acl q 1854 was
passsA.
The mails across che iuhmas % Panama are
convcycd ~ tha fana@a Railroad Company,
bet wtthoat any regular conlFact. The service
has bees saiisiactnfily psriormsd. For ,he
,enr euaing l1 pseeme~r, ls5l. NJ which
ume this smfvscv waa transferred from the con.
TRACTORS under the Nsw 9fsnsdisa governms nl
a. ihe PanMmA Raslrusd Company. ne sntire
~sirhi a ~ maiis TRANSPORTED over ths isthmus
~ss 29s,12s psatd., ~ q cosi, iaclsdisg lhe
lsihipss expsssesot "a the roa's Agsnis "a charge,
% al,out e5t.e00, bsing . isncsioa over seven
ten cpsis . Psana. 1hs weight Coz ths rear
sading slst MascA, lass, waa S0i,s7 poands,