Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-12-18
Report of the Po.tmaSter.Gener

The Postmaster General reports, that dur
ing the last fiscal wear the financial cOndi-
ton of his department has been one Of I'M
usual prosperity. The revenue has nearly
equalled the expenditures, the latter amount
ing to 81, 3l4 ,206 81, and the former to
81 ,l6S,7s9 SO.
The whole number Of postothces existing
on the 30th of June, 1868, was % ,947, be
ing an increase on the preceding year Of l72.
Eight hundred and thirty Offices have been
established, and 655 have been discontinued.
The number of special agents on June
50th, 1868, was 10. with an aggregate sala-
~ Of S26. 500: and 3s7 route agents at an
aggregate salary of S2S9, go Also As To-
cal agents at So, S24. Baggage masters in
charge Of express mails had received s. 40.
The total cost OF transatlantic mail
steamship service was 1892, lSi so. This
price covered one hundred thirty two round
trips u various European ports.
The Postmaster General regrets 10 state
that no progress has been made in negotia-
tons for a new postal convention with Prus-
sia, embracing the States comprising the
German-Austrian Postal Union, on account
Of some obstacle presented in regard TO
territorial transit charges.
He renews the recommendation Of March
3, 1868, that all private ships departing
from the United States for foreign ports
should be required, as a condition OF clear
ance. 10 convey mails on such terms as may
be allowed by Congress.
The value Of stamps issued to pOstmasters
during the year l. 80 .6SS $50; stamped let
ter envelopes. S634 sd, and stamped news
paper wrappers $50, 545. The total value
Of these sold to the public was 1924
529 65, heIng an excess over the previous
year Of S2,7l4,397 %.
The Postmaster General requests addition
al legislation in respect TO post Office theits,
and recommends that the stealing Of letters
and stamps be made penal offence.
In regard 10 dead letters he states that
there has been a continued increase of letters
containing money and other valuabcs. The
number Of dead letters covering deeds, bills
ofexchangc. drafts and other valuable papers,
received. registered and returned for delivery
10 the writers. was : ,322, with an aggregate
nominal value Of 81 "a, 275 sl-Of these
1853 were delivered to the owners.
Letters, registered and mailed, containing
money, numbered Is ,2l9. of these II, 04s,
containing 500 ,G27 -. were finally deliver
cd. I6,763 letters of less value were recciy-
cd. nearly 10 900 Of which contained daguer-
reotypes, and s,273 were restored to their
writers or owners.
He recommends that a postal order money
system be established 10 facilitate the trans
mission, of small sums through the mails,
which he Is confident would prove not only a
great convenience 10 soldiers and citizens,
but also almost entirely obyiate the loss OF
this class of rernittances.
In regard to letters addressed 10 points in
the rebellious States, the Postmaster General
saws: -" BY reason Of the continued susPen-
sion Of regular postal communication with
sections of country under insurrectionary
control, a number OF letters amounting in the
aggregate 10 2f,3l4, found their way, by
various channels, 70 the dead letter office.
OF this number 3 ,3l2 were foreign, and
returned TO the countries where they origin
ated. Those originating in the loyal States
were turned over to the military authorities,
and after examination, most OF them sent by
flag of truce to their destination.
The Postmaster General ias instructed
Postnasters to forward to the dead letter
Office. except IN special cases, all letters IT,
naming unclaimed one month after being
advertised, instead of two months. as for
merly.
In conclusion, be asks the consideration of
Congress Of the revised code Of laws submit
ted by him at the last session, which is main
IL a digest of existing postal laws.