Des Arc citizen., 1858-12-18
THH OVERLAND MAIL TO THE PA

THH OVERLAND MAIL TO THE PA
 ctric.-J. T. Trezeyant Esq, in com
 munication published in the Memphis ap- peal. shows conclusiyely that great njus-
 tice has been done the Memphis end of the "Overand Pacific Mail Line." in the
 non-reception of mails and passengers, while the St. Louis end of the same line has been regularly supplied by the con tractors. Mir. Trezevant says:
 Q But the liberal ideas of the Postmaster Gen eral abont making Memphis one of the Missis- sippi valley termini of this enterprise are rem dered really futile bv the conduct and manage ment of Butterfeld & Co.,, the contractors.
 g It surely was as practicable to stock the line from Fort Smith to Memphis, as from Fort Smith to St. Louis, for it is nearer from that divergiHg point to Memphis than to St. Louis There was no more necessity for sub letting the Memphis line than was for sublet- ting the St. Louis line. Yet it was done; and when remonstrance was made, and orders is sued from. the Post Office department, Butter fields reply was al long plausible explanation, and an earnest PROMISE to correct the gross injustice done to this end of the service, Yet, in the face of all this, the telegraph still con- tinucs to make the regular announcement to the citizens of Memphis, that he C overland mail has arrived at St. Louis;, whenit is known to all that this mail ought to reach Memphis at leasta day earlier than St. Louis. What is the consequence? Why, no traveller going or coming to, or from California by the overland route, will think of coming by Memphis, for the chances of making the connections at Fort smith are all against him.
 All this outrage to our rights will continue with renewed protests, apologies and promises, nntil Butterfeld will so manage matters as to get Congress to do away with the Memphis connection entirely, and let him confne his contract to the St., Louis line. Last winter and spring this course was apprehended, and the indications are that it will vet be done, despite the liberal wishes and remonstrances of the Post Office Department. eg Mir. Trezevant suggests public meet ing of the citizens of Memphis. to pro. test against this palpable evasion of the duty imposed upon the contractors by the Postmaster General. So far, so good. | But; there are some other facts in connec- 'tion with this matter which we will briefly state. ans aaet "A
 The distance from Memphis to Fort Smith is 300 miles direct, by land, uia eDes Arc, The Overland Mail has been carried through several times in less than 70 hours, via Little Rock, which is 9 miles from the 35.h parallel or direct route to Fort Smith. But this was at sea. son Of the year when the roads were good. The contractors. Messrs. Butterfield & Co, can never succeed in delivering their mails promptly the year round, unless they procure a good steamboat to run from Memphis to Des Arc, for at least six months in the year. This boat can make the run in 35 hours, and connect here with their stages for Fort Smith. The carrying of the Overland Mail pia Little Rock is 54 miles out of the way, and is an outrage that the General Government should no longer countenance. We have no fears of the route being changed from Des Arc, for every exerion has been made 10 accomplish it that was in the power of those who are afraid of the future pros. poets of our town. We are on the direct Z line to the Paci6c--the route tha, all men of mature judgment define as lhe only feasible one for the erection of the Pacific Railroad upon. The sub-contractors .un- der Buiierfield & Co.,, promptly selected tke Ssh parallel as tts routc upon which