The New York herald., 1864-12-07


IL 10 be discontinued and as all governments havea "
mon interest IN claiming exceptional treatment for
packets in case OF war, TO the end of maintaining n
larity In international postal communications, H
subject worthy or consideration whether, by tr3
srpulations between nations or otherwise, like pr
pie might not 10 established between all goyernmeI
with proper safeguards against tue transporiatIo9
persons or articles contraband OF war.
Nxw LINES or MAIL PACKETS EsrABlisHFD.
During The past year new lice oi French mail pacI
has been established between France and the IN
States, the steamships piyng, for the present, az
between Havrs and New York. and making regula1
parturss from each port, ON "Wednesday OF every io
week. The United States exchange olices or New 4
Boston and Philadelphia despatch and receive n
regularly by means OF this line, corresponding with
French exchanging Offices Of Paris and Havre
with the French mail agent embarked on board Of 4
packet
This department has also concluded arranged
for the transportation OF the mails tortnehty, betty
Boston and Halifax, Canso and Pctou Nova Scotia)
Charlotte Town prince Edward lsiard), the propriq
of the steamer to receive, as full compensation for
service, moety Of the United states postages %
mails conferred.
NEGOTIATIONS or POSTAL CONVENTIONS
CORES pondence has been opened with several OF
post depar iments represented by commissioners at
Paris InternaNona Postal Conference, having r it'd
ect the negotiation Of postal conventions on the basl
the Paris resolutions with those countries on the
nent OF Europe with which the United states hS NTH
sustained no direct postal relation as we'll as Tor tn
vision and amendment OF existing postal conventionj
a. to make them conform nearly % practscaole
liberal principles OF postal progress recommenae
tnht COuerenCo NJ tuo Uhsb Vi Iuterua."1"'
ments. Favorable responses have been received
the post departments interested 10 this subeI
srEA MsHlP SERVICE TO BRAZIL
In conformity with the provisions OF the act
authorize the establishment OF ocean mall steamI
service between the United states and Brazil appr
May %, 1854, an advertisement was issued inviting
posals for carrying the mails Of the United ST lies
monthly line OF first class American going stf
ships, between port OF the United States north oil
Potomac river, and Rio Janero, sin Brazil, touch
St. Thomas in the West Iudies, and at Perpambucs d
Bihia In Brazil for contract torn OF ten years TO
mence before the first day OF September, 1865
o. date from the day the hrst steamship OF such
shall leave the United States with tho mails for Bra7
Three proposals were received for this service,
lowest and the accepted bid being that Of the New
Nueyitas and Cubs Steamship Company with tn
Asencio l. Co. and Manuel j. Mora, OF New Yora
Guarantors for the performance OF the required ser
u the sum OF s24o 900 per annum, 70 be divided eq
between the two governments. s aE&
The act authorizing the establishment OF this lirI
American steamships was the beginning or q new ell
the history Of our ocean mail service, which is being
formed pFincpaliy BY steamers sailing undcr fo|
flag. The government by this measure adc
the policy Of cooperating with the ndlv
enterprise Of eur citizens IN esabishng
direct mail steamship communication with the prin
country Of South America, with the object OF prov1
reliable and speedy transmission Of crrespnDdt
and developing profitable commerce, legitmateiy
which has besn diverted into other channels by n
OF regular steamship COMMUNICATIONS with other G
tries not so favoraby situated for conductn
extensive trade with Brazil. erI 80
AZ present our only regular and reliable route OF p
communication with Brazil and adjacent South Amer
states is BY the crcuitous routs via Great Baita
France each OF those countries maintaining subsic
line OF mail steamers plying to and from Rio Jan
established nomlnaly for postal purposes, but real
the interest Of commerce, which IS fosiered and
lOpcd by regular mail steamship communication.
ROUTE TRoN SAN FRAxosco, 10 JARAN AND CHINA
#fw snt COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGE
There are other ocean routes besides the ono TO Br
lines Of mail steamers, among which the route bet
San Francisco, Japan and China, at present unoccu
by foreign mail packets, 10 perhaps shs most impo
able in securing to large participation in the
merce OF the East she greater portion Of which Is
enjoyed By Great Britain through her mail steam
The central position OF che United States betv
Eastern Asia and Western Europe, anording routes
little longer, II any than those now trsversed betv
these distant regions, aided BY the superior exI
tion q railway transportation between the Atlt
and Pacific coasts, will furnish such facilities
wili make their adoption = prsoscai neceS
for tha rcommsrciaaG intercourss botween Europe
the .populous countries Of Eastsrn Asia. 4
considerations, ana others which VIII readily suR
themselves, render i important that she Pacific re
mail steamers, the proits OF whch. with the addit
. small subsidy for the mail ssrvics. would justify
establishment or one more steamship lines, v
would be remunerative to the proprietors.
AA AID 10 YRoJE0rKD sTRANsEnR LINES.
Experience has demouslratsd the impocy OF Or
70 crafty Spirit of national emulation IN the suppc
expensive mail service upon routes the profits Of W
are shared by the steamships Of other nations, and
out regard 10 the compensatory benefits 10 be der
from the development Of our national resources, ms
OF granting Incidental aid TO such projected Steam
lines 70 nolghborng countries - promise to be SELF
porting after their establishment, and open up q
citizens new avenues OF profitable trade and comme
The principle adopted In the lsU, authorizing
steamship service 70 Brazil, OF inviting compe.tor
the service, 10 10 such harmony with the spirit Of
commercial policy, and promises - beuenceut result
70 commend Itself 70 my approval - one that shoul
invariably adhered TO. But II there bea departure
NAV ~ upol n aNoe ha Adiasr
adopting the plan Of using portion OF the large
OF government vessels that will be unemployed upN
restoration Of peace IN inc forming q mall ines viz.
as viii promote the interests OF commerce In the "a
portation Of persons and propsrty.
NuMHuR oY Posr OFYIcrA
Including the suspended post Offices, the whole nun
on the S0th June, 1884, was % .sTS q which 1876
In the loyal and s90z 10 tho disoysi States rhs n
appointment Of the Postmaster General
During the year 6l9 post Offices have been establish
7Ss discontinued and 211 changes made OF names
sites. The number OF cases acted upon was 6,579.
thousand seven hundred and thirteen postmasters /
been appointed, OF whom 8, ,O2S were 70 fill vacancies
casoned By resIgnatious 674 by removals. $50 by de
ls3 BY change Of names and sites and 6ls on ostab
ment Of new Offices.
The nth section Of the act above referred to au
rizes the Postmaster General to allow at the office OF
York, and at the Offices Of the rst and second casse
reasonable for the necessary cost OF rent fuel lis
and clerks. No authority In given 90 allow for o.
necessary items, such as repairs or furniture, clean
large oYlces and beg leave TO suggest that the
sary authority be given 70 appropriate . reasons
amount out OF tho revenues OF the respective o61co
meet such contingencies.
SPECIAL AGENTS AND BAGGAGE MAsrxns.
Az the close OF the fiscal year there were twenty
cial agents, whose salaries amounted to S34,100;
hundred and fourteen route agents, receiving $313
nfty three local agents, $32 ,00s and ono hundred
ave baggage matters 10 charge OF through and exp
mails, $3.50.
rInrxl cARRiKxa
Tue free delivery Of mail matter BY carriers has
introduced At sixty six offices, employ ing, t present.
carriers, at an aggregate annual compensated
t3l7, ,ool.
xUxRxa DEAD LKrrERs RECEIVED
The number OF dead letters OF every descripsiou
ceved and examined during the year was 3, sos ),
being incrssse OF 95S, 400 the preceding y,
attributable mainly 10 the return OF large number
army and navy letters which t was found mpraotica
10 deliver.
MoSRr OTHER vALuAmR IRrrsRs
During the year there we're registered and remailed
the respective owners, as containing money, IS 752
letters, containing an aggregate OF $l31. OIL Of VII
number 20 059, containing $l04 085, were deliver
T. <l2 letters. oontaiuing $40, ts5, returned TO
department, bong addressed chiefly 10 soldiers and
ors. and persons transsntIy at places Of mailing or
dress.
The number OF dsad letters containing papers Of val
other than money, as deeds, bills OF exchange dra
checks, &C., received. registered and returned for
livery to tine owners, was IL s36 and The nominal