, 1857-01-23

To Persons mailing Lsiifrs for California and
The 1er'tfoTes 0f Washingfon end Oregon ;--Th0p-
sands Of letters sent to the Pacific coast JecOtie
dead letters. TO remedy this evil, the Post oGice
Department, under the authority Of Congress, has
adopted, an auxiliary 10 its operations the follow
ing plan for simultaneously publishing at each and
every post Office In tie Pacific region, In list called
the e Pacific Mail List the names Of persons TO
whom letters have been sent by mail TO post offices In
California and the Territories Of Washington and
Oregon. By this system letter may be sent 10 nny
post Office in the Pachc region for person whose
location Ia unknown, the mere fact that he Is
sOrneichsre In California the Territories Of Oregon
and Washington; u the letter be published In the
" Pacific Nail List" is ultimate reception By the
person for whom Is intended will be rendered highly
probable. To enable those who may desire 10 extend
TO their Pacific correspondents the advantages thus
offered, the following illustration is given:
Suppose II is wished to send To the Sacramento post
ONCE letter for George Wilson, who emigrated 10
California from Pike county, Missouri, but II is feared
that be ayhave changed his location and hence may
not receive the letter. In this case direct the letter
to George Wilson, Qaie Of Pike county. Missouri,
Sacramento California. Then, 10 order 10 publish
the letter in the Pacific Mail List copy the address
Of the letter npon piece Of paper card, and en-
close the card, together with three-cent postage
stamp, In an envelope TO the naeihc Mail Lst,r N
W Deposit the letter, usual, IN the mail for Cali
fornla, and ut the sane time drop the envelope cO
tanning the card 10 publish he LITTER in the mail for
New York. From the address on the card thus re-
ceiyed at tile New York post Office the name, George.
Wilson, will be entered in its appropriate place in the
+" Pacific Mail List" which Is printed and sent by
mail to each and every postmaster in California and
the Territories Of Oregon and Washington, and BY
them posted in conspicuous place 10 their respective
Offices The list thus being distributed over the entire
Pacific region, George Wilson may at once learn from
ii that letter for him has been sent 10 the Sacnmento
post Office. No person Of similar name will receive
the letter. for the address Il points out that Il Is
intended for George Wilson, late Of Pike county Ms
souri, Thus MANY letters will be received that would
otherwise he transmitted TO the dcad-letter Office,
The enveopes containing the advertising cards sent
to the Pacific Mail List" New York, pay postage
like ordinary mail matter and must he prepaid. The
addresses Of letters copied the pieces Of paper or
cards should he written in plain and distinct man
ner. The threecent postage stamp enclosed in the
envelopes defray the expenses Of Publication and
must NOT be pasted to the cards, but simply enclosed
with them. IN the absence Of postage stamps three
cent coins may he substituted.
It is believed that this circular has been drawn up
so EXPLICITLY as To require no explanations but
should this prove not to he the case postmasters will
take notice that all interoRatories must be addressed
to the Pacific Mail List" New York, and not to the
department.
The first Of this series Of lists will accompany the
mail Of May 5th and will be forwarded by each sue
eeeding mail.
OTIyEp u vvOODc