Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-06-25
Letter on the Overland Mail Routs.

From the Gausiin Qenn Examiner ]
GALLATIN, Jun y, 1855.
Cot. T. BoYERs-Sn | am ir receipt OF
your note OF the oh, asking for information OF
the nature Of the contract entered into by the
Overland Mail Company with the Postmaster
General, the services to be rendered, the pay
they receive, and as much of the details Of
their plans CT operation as may see proper
to communicate. The Company is composed
Of the Rrincipal business men OF the American
Exeress Co, all Of them men Of great energy,
and 6ne business talent and habits They con-
tracted to carry the mails semt-weekiy from
Memphis aHd st. Louis to San Francisco, to go
through in twenty five days, mails to be carried
in four-hors coaches, suitable for the convey
anee of passengers, and the security Of the
mails. Their contract is for six years, to CON-
mence the l6.h Of September next, aud they are
10 receive ak hundred thousand dollars annu-
aIIy for their services, to be paid quarterly.
The company have obtained the consent OF
the Postmaster-Gene to start their mails
from s.. Louis and Memphis on the ID July,
TO run as far as Fort Belknsp, Texas, and from
San Francisco to Fort fumsh, on the PACING
side. mails to be carried twice month until the
gap can be filled, 30 as 10 commence through
service by 1st October.
II will require 200 head Of horses and mules
end 80 coaches to stock the road they have
already about 900 head Of horses and mules,
and ali their coaches and harness, and their
agents are now actively engaged getting Them
out on the route.
Through the settlements, say from st. Louis
and Memphis to Fort Bslknap, TEXAS, on the
end Of this route. and from San franeisco to
/ fort Yunab, 1000 miles, there are but few set
Elements, and It will cost very heavily to trans
port provender in wagons they viii depend
great deal on grazing, and as mules VIII 90 pet
/ ter on short feed than horses, they VIII De
/ used. though there is but little doubt that IN
two wears there will be chain OF settlements
along the entire route hundreds OF famlllei
have settled on the route through Texas since
the exploring parties passed through IN Janua'
~ and February.
Through the unsettled country, the company
will aave to erect stations every II or ID mlles
for their own convenience at each OF thess
stations there will be a smiths shop, woot
and harness shops, and a post Office, and a.
some Of them there viii be stores to trade will
the Indians, and TO supply persons in the EN-
, pioF of the company, and emigrants, thus form
! ing the nucleus of q settlement tfl
As to your suggestion Of the danger Of th'
stations being broken up, and the mails robbie
!, by Indians, I would say that | do not sppre
bend much difficulty, as the Government vii
} place regiment OF cavalry on the route, wh
will be continually moving from one station [
another. and will thus prevent any maraudir
. bands getting near the line before they are da
covered. AS regards the praeticability Of II
route, have little or no doubt, as it has bee
! S,,IIv explored BY competent men sent out b
the company, and they report very fsvorso!
of IL. indeed, stages have been run from Sa
Antonio, Texas, to San Diego, regularly, sins
? last July, and they have never been interrupts
. Their route is the same ss the overland ma
. Company, from El Pssso to Fort funah, al
: will be discontinued sftsrlst October.
I The company viii build atelegraph line fro
St. Louis and Memphis, via Fort Smith, to s