The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-13

alone collected in the United States is very con-
siderable, amounting. the last year to $l93.2s At.
This, explained in previous reports, results dsad
yantageously to this department, inasmuch as its
posmasers are paid commissions for collecting Its
expenses the last year, on this account, have been
not less than $75 900. The large increase in the
cess Of last year arises mainly from the circumstance
that nearly twothirds of the trans Atlantic mails
have been conveyed by the Cunard line of British mail
packets, and, when thus conveyed, nearly fourffths
Of the postage goes to the British government say
on mails SO conveyed for countries beyond England
In the final settlement too, it will be observed that
the balance Is every year largely against the United
States and that for the year ending 30th June last 1t
reached the sum Of $264 ,9l6. A part Of this, how
ever to wit: $40 SOL has been received back in the
balance paid to the United States on final adjust
ment by the Prussan Office, thus reducing our in
delhedness to 1921 AIT. Under the arrangement
with Prussia the balance is In favor OF this depart
ment, because the United States provides for the
ocean well as British transit conveyance of the
Prussian closed nails but the general balance must
continue to be largely against the United States
while so great a proportion Of the mails are con-
veyed by British packets. Whether il Is more de-
sable to be subject to this outlay for the transmits
sion Of our mails abroad than to incur probably
still greater expense in fully providing our own
of transportation, is for the wisdom OF
Congress to determine. IT, fortunately, as before
suggested our steamship companies, aided by re-
ceipts from passengers and merchandise, shall ind
sufficient announcement to establish lines of steam
ers and carry the mails for the postage thereon, it
will be great point gained. On this principle,
were it practicable, would be pleased not only to
see the number of trips increased upon existing lines
particularly to the continent but all the lines put
operation which have been or may be projected by
our enterprising citizens. Among these are the
proposed lines from Norfolk to Milford Haven from
New Orleans to Bordeaux; from New York to Ant
werp, Hamburg or Gluckstadt; from Savannah to
Para, in South America; from Panama to Valpa-
raso &c. This whole subject is worthy the serious
consideration Of Congress, and venture to hope
that such action may be taken upon it at an early
day az that the department may clearly understand
its duty in the premises. Whether the present lines
to be continued, and the trips increased on the
expiration of the contracts or new ones established
at cost, in each instance exceeding what they may
in postages and if So at what expense, in each
case, respectfully submit to Congress to decide.
A postal convention has been concluded between
the United States and France, having been signed
predecessor, and on the part Of France by the
French Minister, on the I'd Of March last, and has
been in operation since the first of April. The
rate of postage for letters of the weight Of one
quarter ounce under is fifteen cents irrespective
Of the route, whether through England direct, by
which they are conveyed France accounts to Great
Britain for the British and transit postage
planned in the articles of agreement hereto annexed.
This is the first postal convention between the two
countries.
postal convention has also been concluded with
the Hanseatic republic of Hamburg similar in all
respects to that existing between the United States
the same. 1t finally executed in June last, and
went into effect on the lst of July The articles are
annexed.
Negotiations are pending for radical change of
our postal arrangements with Great Britain, but as
the proposition of the British Office, in its present
shape cannot be acceded to, and it involves also
preliminary agreement requiring the sanction of
the treaty making powers, definite action upon it
has been necessarily postponed for the present
CITY POSTS.
With the view to facilitate the receipt and delivery
of letters in New York, Boston and Philadelphia,
the postmasers in those cities have been instructed
to make improvements in their letter carrier system
to the full extent authorized by law. In New York
/ found that nearly everything had been done that
could be accomplished under existing laws, except
the transmission of drop letters direct to their ad
dress, without going into the main office, which Ia
now done. Six stations suboffices had been
tabshed, at which, well as at the principal Office,
the letters were sorted and passed into the hands of
the carriers; and large number Of boxes for the
collection of letters had been placed ut convenient
distances throughout the city On all letters through
the mail the carriers receive two cents each for de-
livery, and drop letters one cent. had hoped to
be able to reduce the delivery fee to the uniform
price of one cent; but this was found impractcabe
in New York and Philadelphia, inasmuch as the law
requires that the entire cost of delivery shall be
betrayed ont of the carriers receipts. In Boston,
where the districts are all comparatively densey
populated, one cent letter is made TO pay. The
postage drop letters, including the carriers fee
is now two cents and upon the improved plan now
adopted for their delivery direct from the main Office
the nearest station. the may be, II is be-
lieved that the public convenience will be fully
subserved. In each of these cities there to be
from four to six deliveries day, and the letters for
mailing, &C., to he collected and disposed of as
frequently as occasion may require. j do not feel
at liberty TO advise the free delivery Of letters by
carriers; but would recommend modification Of
the present law to give the Postmaster General
authority to have the delivery made at one cent
letter, whether the carriers receipts are sufficient
to meet expenses or not II the improved system is
found to work satisfactorily in the three cities above
mentioned II Is my purpose to extend 1t to all the
other principal cities in the United States.
EXPRESS AGENTS.
One Of the prominent subjects which has de-
manded my attention is that Of providing more
efec,ually for the regularity and safety of mails
conveyed on railroads. Owing to the large number
OF separate bags the great through lines the fire..
qrent changes OF cars and the brief time allowed in
most cases for that purpoe great care IN necessary
to guard against mistakes and losses. This IL more
especially important to the letter mail pouches
which are exchanged between the principal cities
and towns having railroad connections in all sections
OF the country however remote In order that they
may receive due attention at all points, agents Of
this department are required and also n regular sys-
tern Of accountability for the performance of their
duties. The beginning of such system was made
by my immediate predecessor, and my aim has
been 10 extend and improve IL as much AZ
possible. It's main features are, briefly, as fol-
lows-ln the post Offices at the ends Of each scps-
rate route as agPortioned to mail agents tsay
a"" 'Phi"t' anu ~ vi, piVmheus
intermediate points, lists are kept. showing the
pouches forwarded; which lists are receptcd by the
route mail agent, who thus becomes directly re-
sponsible for certain number Of pouches for certain
specified points. Upon delivering the same into
Post Offices to mail messengers, or TO agent
connecting route he takes receipts to show the full
flment Of his duties. In addition, IL Is required on
routes that full and careful accounts be kept,
In book form, Of all pouches, as TO show where
they are received, how labelled, and how disposed
OF. by such means IT becomes practicable TO trace
missing pouches and there is also kept alive
Of responsibility on the part Of agents impeng
them 10 greater watchfulness in performing duties
which, from their laborious and monotonous nature
might otherwise fnsensibly become, in q measure,
mechanical, and not occupy much OF the
mind as their importance demands. Moreo-
YER, all Irregularities In any way chargeable to
agents can be traced 10 their true source, 40
that suspicion In attachesto innocent parties.
For such reasons, apart from interest in the ser
vice generally which Ia presumed 10 be felt by all