The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-28
DUB POSTAL COMMUNICATIONS.
Annual Report Of tho Postmaster General
for the Year 1859.

Posr OFFICE DEPARTMENT, Dec 3, 1859.
sRIn the month of March last the sudden decease Of
my enlightened aud deeply lamented predecessor, mms
diaeiy preceded il by the death Of the Third AS
sistant Postmaster Genera-so long aud h>norably
connected with tho administrator OF the postal
revenues-Glled this depa .tmcnt with discourage
rnent and gloom. Associated with this dou,
BILE calamity another which awakened
painful anKe,es only from its intrinsic magnitude
but from the fact that the history Of the government
from s foundation furnished parallel for such
aster Ny aason Is Of course to the failure Of Congress
to pass the customary Appropriation bill the support
OF the Post Office Department whereby, with all its
sponsbies resting upon IT, and the fuhlment OF all It's
duties demanded by the country, it was still deprived Of
the use Of its revenues and thus necessarily OF all
means Of complying witt It's engagements to the faithful
officers telling in its rsice The ordeal so unexpectedly
prepared for il was in all its aspects, novel II was
perpexipg, and dsquietag apprehensions naturally
felt for the result. When, however, from high political
considerations the President announced his purpose not
TO convene Congress- in special session. and tho full
measure Of the crisis was thus revealed the
contractors and others charged with the min
everywhere determination to meet the emergency
with courage and with lofty public spirit With very
rare exceptions, every duty pertaining to the transmission
ana delivery Of the mails has been performed cocda
ana az faithfully during the last nine months, any
former period While, however, this is referred to with
grAuncaiioh, and cannot be too warmly commended it
must mol % oTgesaen tbs this fidelity, in the midst OF
aDanoObment anu tfvston, has cost numerous and
serving class Of public servants severe cunary sacri
ceB Feeling ax.ops that they should relieved "a far
possible from the enlbarassments in which thew were
suddenly involved statements evidencug the ndebted
Of the department to It's contractors and agents have
been issued to each, In the hope that in easy condi
ton OF The money market, their holders might obtain adj
upon them without serious loss to be feared
however, that those whose circumstances obliged them
to dispose OF these securities have In many been
compelled TO submit to a heavy discount. ! would most
earnestly urge upon Congress the necessity Of making an
carly appropriation TO meet all the existing liabilities OF the
department AS the faith Of the government has been
broken, not only should the principal Of these debts be
promptly paid but interest them should also be al
lowed In many Instances this may prove but imper
feet indemnity for the damage which the creditors OF the
department have actually sustained but this nucn st
least due from the grayest considerations Of public
Justice and policy, and cannot in my judgment be with
held without national diehonor.
REVENUE EXPENDITURES
The actual (pald) cxendurcs of the department ia the
fiscal year ending June 80 1852 amounted 81 S3 90
For transportation Of lnland mails, including
payments to route agents. local agents