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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..12f3e0b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68864 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68864) diff --git a/old/68864-0.txt b/old/68864-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index ae4d8b4..0000000 --- a/old/68864-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1957 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Ramsey & Carmick, contract. Letter -from the Postmaster General, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Ramsey & Carmick, contract. Letter from the Postmaster General - -Author: Various - -Release Date: August 29, 2022 [eBook #68864] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Adrian Mastronardi and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from - images generously made available by The Internet - Archive/American Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAMSEY & CARMICK, CONTRACT. -LETTER FROM THE POSTMASTER GENERAL *** - - - - - - - 33d CONGRESS, _2d Session_. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. EX. DOC. NO. 47. - - - - -RAMSEY & CARMICK—CONTRACT. - - - - - LETTER - FROM - THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, - TRANSMITTING - _Copy of a conditional mail contract; also copies of - correspondence relative to the same_. - - FEBRUARY 1, 1855.—Referred to the Committee on the Post Office - and Post Roads, and ordered to be printed. - - - POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, - _Washington, January 31, 1855_. - -SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, in compliance with the -resolution of the House of the 2d of January instant, a copy of the -conditional contract made by my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, with Messrs. -Ramsey & Carmick, on the 3d of March, 1853, for the extension of two of -the trips on the New Orleans and Vera Cruz line, from Vera Cruz, Mexico, -via Acapulco, to San Francisco in California; also copies of all the -correspondence relative to the same, and also relative to the change of -schedule proposed on the line from New Orleans to Vera Cruz. - -My views in regard to this contract were fully stated in my annual -report to Congress of December 1, 1853, and are also contained in the -correspondence herewith communicated. It was not deemed necessary to -answer the letter of Robert G. Rankin, president of the Mexican Ocean -Mail and Inland Company, dated November 23, 1853, and received at the -department on the 30th of January, 1854. That they were not prepared to -fulfil their conditional contract on the 23d of November, 1853, nine -months after its execution, is therein conceded, and the department had -neither the time nor desire to enter into a discussion of the irrelevant -matters introduced into the body of that letter. - -The objections which I entertained to the change of schedule on the New -Orleans and Vera Cruz route, proposed, by Messrs. Harris & Morgan in -their letter of the 26th October, 1853, were two-fold: - -1st. That by authorizing the change proposed the original intent and -object of my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, in entering into the conditional -contract with Messrs. Ramsey and Carmick—which was, to secure an -additional semi-monthly mail between the Atlantic States and California -by alternating at regular intervals with the present semi-monthly line -via Panama—would have been entirely frustrated; and thus, instead of -having a weekly mail between the Atlantic and Pacific, there would have -been, as heretofore, only a semi-monthly communication. - -2d. By changing the schedule so as to make connections at Acapulco with -the steamers of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, that company would -receive not only their regular compensation under their contract with -the government, but extra pay under the contract of Ramsey & Carmick, -although no additional service was really rendered by them to the -department or the public. - -Authority having been given by Mr. Hubbard on the 7th of March, 1853, to -the postmasters of New Orleans, San Diego, Monterey and San Francisco, -to make up and send mails by the Vera Cruz and Acapulco line, containing -such matter as was expressly directed to go by that line, I took the -precaution to withhold from those officers the authority to send mails -without first consulting the department, by instructing them, on the 23d -of September following, to report to the department before delivering -such mails, for further instructions, should the proprietors apply for -them. My object in issuing those instructions was simply to enable the -department to be fully satisfied that all mails forwarded by that route -were committed to the care and custody of competent and proper persons, -and would be safely transported through Mexico. It does not appear, -however, that any application has ever been made by Messrs. Ramsey & -Carmick for a mail to be conveyed by that route, as no report from any -postmaster to that effect has been received at this department. - -I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, - - JAMES CAMPBELL. - -Hon. LINN BOYD, _Speaker of House of Representatives_. - - -NO. 9—$424,000 PER ANNUM. - -_This article of contract_, made the fifteenth day of February, in the -year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, between the United -States (acting in this behalf by their Postmaster General) and Albert C. -Ramsey and Edward H. Carmick, William H. Aspinwall and Edwin Bartlett, of -the city of New York; Silas C. Herring, Elihu Townsend, Simeon Draper, -and R. B. Coleman, of the same place, _witnesseth_: That whereas, by an -act of Congress, passed March 3, 1845, entitled “An act to provide for -the transportation of the mail between the United States and foreign -countries, and for other purposes,” the Postmaster General is authorized -to contract for the transportation of the United States mail between any -of the ports of the United States and a port or ports of any foreign -power whenever, in his opinion, the public interests will thereby be -promoted; and whereas, by another act of Congress, passed March 3, 1851, -entitled “An act to establish certain post-roads in the United States and -the Territories thereof,” the Postmaster General is authorized to enter -into contracts, for a period not longer than four years, for transporting -through any foreign country the mails of the United States, and that in -making such contracts, the Postmaster General shall be bound to select -the speediest, safest, and most economical route; and whereas notice has -been given by advertising, in accordance with the directions of said -act, for inviting proposals for mail contracts, under and by virtue of -the acts aforesaid; and whereas Albert C. Ramsey and Edward H. Carmick -have been accepted, according to law, as contractors for transporting the -mail on route No. 9, from Vera Cruz, via Acapulco, to San Francisco and -back, twice a month, according to the schedule hereinafter mentioned, in -thirteen days each way, being an extension of two of the trips on the New -Orleans and Vera Cruz line through Mexico, for the purpose of conveying -the mail, and thus making one through-line in sixteen days between -New Orleans and San Francisco, at and for the sum of four hundred and -twenty-four thousand dollars per year, for and during the term commencing -from the time Congress shall ratify this contract, and ending four years -from that date, with the right reserved to the Postmaster General to -continue it one year longer, at the same terms: - -Now, therefore, the said Albert C. Ramsey and Edward H. Carmick, -contractors, and Silas C. Herring, Elihu Townsend, Simeon Draper, Robert -B. Coleman, William H. Aspinwall, and Edwin Bartlett, their sureties, -do jointly and severally undertake, covenant, and agree with the United -States, and do bind themselves: - -1st. To carry said mail within the times fixed in the annexed schedule -of departures and arrivals, and so carry until said schedule is altered -by the authority of the Postmaster General of the United States, as -hereinafter provided, and then to carry according to said altered -schedule. - -2d. To carry said mail in a safe and secure manner, free from wet -or other injury, in weather-proof bags and vehicles on the land -route, and in a separate and convenient apartment on shipboard, to be -suitably fitted up under order of the department, at the expense of the -contractors, for the assorting and safe-keeping of the mails, and for the -sole and exclusive occupation, use, and accommodation of the Post Office -Department and its mail-agent, if the Postmaster General shall require -it for the use and accommodation of the mail and mail-agent, and such -mail-agent is to be conveyed without further charge. - -In case the contractors fail to furnish such suitable accommodations, -the department shall have the right to provide the bags, vehicles, or -apartments, or other suitable accommodations, at the expense of the -contractors. - -3d. To take the mail and every part of it from, and deliver it and every -part of it into, the post office at San Francisco, and to and from -the mail steamers at Vera Cruz on the New Orleans and Vera Cruz line, -and also to deliver and receive the mails at San Diego and Monterey, -regularly by each trip going and returning, as is now done by the -“Pacific Mail Steamship Company.” - -They also undertake, covenant, and agree with the United States, and do -bind themselves, jointly and severally, as aforesaid, to be answerable -for the person to whom the said contractors shall commit the care and -transportation of the mail, and accountable to the United States for -any damages which may be sustained by the United States through his -unfaithfulness or want of care; and that the said contractors will -discharge any carrier of said mail whenever required to do so by the -Postmaster General; also, that they will not transmit by themselves or -their agent, or be concerned in transmitting, commercial intelligence -more rapidly than by mail, and they will not carry out of the mail -letters or newspapers which should go by post; and that they will not, -knowingly, convey any person carrying on the business of transporting -letters or other mail matter without the consent of the department; -and further, that the said contractors will convey, without additional -charge, post-office blanks, mail bags, and the special agents of the -department, on the exhibition of their credentials. - -They further undertake, covenant, and agree with the United States, -that the said contractors will collect quarterly, if required by the -Postmaster General, of postmasters on said route, the balances due from -them to the General Post Office, and faithfully render an account thereof -to the Postmaster General in the settlement of quarterly accounts, and -will pay over to the General Post Office all balances remaining in their -hands. - -For which services, when performed, the said Albert C. Ramsey and Edward -H. Carmick, contractors, are to be paid by the said United States -the sum of four hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars a year, to -wit: quarterly, in the months of May, August, November, and February, -through the postmasters on the route, or otherwise, at the option of the -Postmaster General of the United States; said pay to be subject, however, -to be reduced or discontinued by the Postmaster General, as hereinafter -stipulated, or to be suspended in case of delinquency. - -It is hereby stipulated and agreed by the said contractors and their -sureties, that the Postmaster General may increase the service or change -the schedule, he allowing a pro rata increase of compensation within the -restrictions imposed by law for the additional service required; but the -contractors may, in case of increased service or change of schedule, -relinquish the contract, on timely notice, if they prefer it to the -change. - -It is hereby also stipulated and agreed by the said contractors and their -sureties, that in all cases there is to be a forfeiture of the pay of a -trip when the trip is not performed, and of not more than three times -the pay of a trip when the trip is not duly performed and no sufficient -excuse for the failure is furnished; a forfeiture of at least one-fourth -part of it when the running is so far behind time as to lose connexion -with a depending mail, unless it is shown that the same was not caused -by neglect, or want of proper skill or misconduct, and a forfeiture of -a due proportion of it when a grade of service is rendered inferior -to the mode of conveyance above stipulated; and that these forfeitures -may be increased into penalties of a higher amount, according to the -nature or frequency of the failure, and the importance of the mail; also -that fines may be imposed upon the contractors, unless the delinquency -be satisfactorily explained to the Postmaster General in due time, for -failing to take from or deliver at a post office, or a steam-vessel, -the mail, or any part of it; for suffering it to be wet, injured, lost, -or destroyed; for carrying it in a place or manner that exposes it to -depredation, loss or injury, by being wet, or otherwise; for refusing, -after demand, to carry a mail by any vessel or other vehicle which the -contractors run or are concerned in running on the route beyond the -number of trips above specified; or for not arriving at the time set in -the schedule, unless not caused by neglect or want of proper skill, or by -misconduct. And for setting up or running an express to transmit letters -or commercial intelligence in advance of the mail, or for transporting -knowingly, or after being informed, any one engaged in transporting -letters or mail matter in violation of the laws of the United States, a -penalty of five hundred dollars may be exacted for each offence, and for -each article so carried. - -And it is hereby further stipulated and agreed by the said contractors -and their sureties that the Postmaster General may annul the contract for -repeated failures; for violating the post office laws; for disobeying -the instructions of the department; for refusing to discharge a carrier, -or any other person having charge of the mail by his direction, when -required by the department; for assigning the contract without the -consent of the Postmaster General; for setting up or running an express -as aforesaid, or for transporting persons, conveying mail matter out of -the mail as aforesaid; or whenever the contractors or either of them -shall become a postmaster, assistant postmaster, or member of Congress; -and this contract shall in all its parts be subject to the terms and -requisitions of an act of Congress passed on the twenty-first day of -April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, -entitled “An act concerning public contracts.” - -And it is hereby further stipulated and agreed by the said contractors, -that the steam-vessels for the service between San Francisco and Acapulco -shall be of a class contemplated by the act of Congress, passed March -3, 1845, entitled “An act to provide for the transportation of the mail -between the United States and foreign countries, and for other purposes;” -and that the same shall be delivered to the United States, or their -proper officer, on demand made, for the purpose of being converted into -vessels of war, according to the tenor and terms of the said act. - -And it is hereby further expressly understood that this contract is to -have no force or validity until it shall have received the sanction of -the Congress of the United States, by the passage of an appropriation to -carry it into effect. - -In witness whereof, the said Postmaster General has caused the seal of -the Post Office Department to be hereto affixed, and has attested the -same by his signature; and the said contractors and their sureties have -hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year set opposite their -names, respectively. - - S. D. HUBBARD, _Postmaster General_. [SEAL.] March 3, 1853. - WM. H. ASPINWALL, [SEAL.] March 3, 1853. - EDWIN BARTLETT, [SEAL.] March 3, 1853. - _By Wm. H. Davidge, their Att’y_. - ALBERT C. RAMSEY. [SEAL.] February 25, 1853. - EDWARD H. CARMICK. [SEAL.] February 25, 1853. - SILAS C. HERRING. [SEAL.] February 25, 1853. - ELIHU TOWNSEND. [SEAL.] February 25, 1853. - SIMEON DRAPER. [SEAL.] February 25, 1853. - R. B. COLEMAN. [SEAL.] February 25, 1853. - THE MEXICAN OCEAN MAIL AND INLAND COMPANY, [SEAL.] February 25, 1853. - _By Robert G. Rankin, President_. - -Signed, sealed, and delivered by the Postmaster General in the presence -of— - - JAMES LAWRENSON. - R. T. MCLAIN. - -And by the other parties hereto in the presence of— - - J. B. NOTT, witness for A. C. Ramsey, S. Draper, and R. B. Coleman, - and Edward H. Carmick. - EDWARD S. GOULD, witness to S. C. Herring. - -Witness to Wm. H. Davidge’s signature, as attorney of Wm. H. Aspinwall -and Edwin Bartlett— - - JAMES LAWRENSON. - R. T. MCLAIN. - -Witness to R. G. Rankin’s signature— - - JNO. T. HOWARD. - -I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Albert C. Ramsey, and -Edward H. Carmick, and Silas C. Herring, Elihu Townsend, Simeon Draper, -and R. B. Coleman, and the condition of their property; and that, after -full investigation and inquiry, I am well satisfied that they are good -and sufficient sureties for the amount in the foregoing contract. - - WM. V. BRADY, - _Postmaster at New York_. - - -_The schedule of Departures and Arrivals._ - -Leave Vera Cruz on the 4th and 17th of each month. Arrive at Acapulco by -the 9th and 22d of each month. - -Leave Acapulco on the 9th and 22d of each month. Arrive at San Francisco -by the 17th and 30th of each month. - -Leave San Francisco on the 8th and 24th of each month. Arrive at Acapulco -by the 16th and 1st of each month. - -Leave Acapulco on the 16th and 1st of each month. Arrive at Vera Cruz by -the 21st and 6th of each month. - - * * * * * - - POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, - _March 7, 1853_. - -GENTLEMEN: The postmasters of New Orleans, San Francisco, Monterey -and San Diego, will be authorized to send a mail by the Vera Cruz and -Acapulco line, containing letters or papers expressly directed to go by -that line, when said communication is open, and you are prepared to carry -a mail, with the express understanding that neither this department nor -the government is to be in any way holden for any expenses attending such -service; but, as provided in the contract, it is left for Congress to -determine whether the contract is to be sanctioned by an appropriation to -carry it into effect—the pay, if any, for said service commencing only in -accordance with the terms of the contract made February 15, 1853. - - I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, - - S. D. HUBBARD, - _Postmaster General_. - -MESSRS. RAMSEY & CARMICK, _New York_. - - * * * * * - - POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, - _March 7, 1853_. - -SIR: You are hereby authorized to make up and send a mail by the Vera -Cruz and Acapulco line, containing letters or papers expressly directed -to go by that line, when said communication is open, and the contractors -are prepared to carry a mail on the terms of their contract of February -15, 1853. You would do well, perhaps, to advertise to the above effect, -adding that all letters, &c., not marked as above indicated, will be -forwarded by the Panama route. - - Respectfully, your obedient servant, - - S. D. HUBBARD, - _Postmaster General_. - -POSTMASTER, _San Francisco, California_. - -[Same to postmasters of New Orleans, San Diego, and Monterey.] - - * * * * * - - OFFICE OF THE MEXICAN OCEAN MAIL AND INLAND CO., - _New York, June 15, 1853_. - -MY DEAR SIR: The position that our company sustains to the government, -(as the real parties by contract,) to execute the mail contracts -with Messrs. Ramsey & Carmick, renders it proper that the Post Office -Department should be advised of the state of forwardness on the part of -the contractors to fulfil the contracts. - -Our vice president, Colonel Albert C. Ramsey, is now in Mexico assigning -the stations. In all this month and next month, the coaches, wagons, and -literas will be in Mexico—portions of them being on their way now. By -August 10 the mules and horses (1,000) will be down from Coahuila, and we -then expect to make the regular transit across. - -Although the contracts only require a bi-monthly mail, we are making all -our arrangements for a _daily line_ of transit across Mexico, feeling -justified by the assurances we have from Mexico. We shall also establish -a weekly line of steamers from New Orleans to Vera Cruz, (one steamer is -now running there, and another now building;) and with the use of the new -_envelopes_,(when they appear,) we shall actually afford a weekly line -from New Orleans to San Francisco; and if the steamers on the Pacific -could be arranged, we could make a daily line to San Francisco in sixteen -days. Our land route will be daily, in any case, on account of our -Mexican facilities. - -We have purchased and ordered the whole of the rolling stock for the -transit, and parties are now in Mexico clearing obstructions, and we -shall not, I think, require the full time allowed by the contract for the -transit, although trial only will verify our expectations. - -We already have a margin in our favor in the gulf service, as our -steamer, the “Texas,” has performed the duty in sixty hours; and the -Pacific service has been done in twenty-four and thirty hours less -than schedule time. Our recent reports from Mexico justify us in the -expectation of carrying the mails in fourteen days from New Orleans to -San Francisco, and six months of experimental operation will, I think, -show the feasibility of doing the regular service in within fifteen days. - -In conclusion, I would add that we are exerting every energy in pushing -the thing up, and shall spare neither time nor money in proving the -truthfulness of all our positions. - -An estafette mail will be carried from Vera Cruz and New Orleans to San -Francisco next month, until the service becomes regular. - - I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, - - ROBT. G. RANKIN, - _President_. - -We have the _highest_ assurance of _our_ favorable position in Mexico. - -Hon. JAMES CAMPBELL, _Postmaster General U. S., &c._ - - * * * * * - - POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, _July 9, 1853_. - -SIR: Your letter of the 15th ultimo came duly to hand. My attention -having been specially called to the circumstances connected with the -contemplated line to the Pacific via Vera Cruz and Acapulco, I feel it -my duty, after due deliberation, to inform you that the conditional -contract entered into between my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, and Messrs. -Ramsey and Carmick, for the conveyance of the mails over this line to San -Francisco, does not meet with my approbation. - -In the first place, as at present advised, I consider the route -impracticable for mail purposes. - -In the second place, the sums of money yearly drawn from the treasury -for contracts, which have for several years been, and are still in -force, for the transportation of the mails between the Atlantic and the -Pacific, are very considerable, amounting to about $731,868. In view of -this fact, and of the many sections and neighborhoods, in the different -States, which are either greatly restricted in, or deprived altogether of -mail facilities, it appears to me both inexpedient and unjust to go into -the expenditure of a still further sum of $424,000 for the service in -question. - -Moreover, I disapprove of the principle upon which this contract is -made. In my opinion, if the Postmaster General has the right to make -such a contract at all, it ought to be made without the restriction or -limitation contained in yours, by which its force or validity is made -to depend upon the passage of an appropriation by Congress to carry -it into effect. I am unwilling to recognise any contingency of this -kind, because, although the contractors may, under such conditional -arrangement, establish no legal claim for compensation, they may, -nevertheless, go on and incur expenses, in the expectation that they will -be paid, and Congress, more from private sympathy than from public policy -or right, be at length induced to yield to a measure to which its prior -sanction never could have been obtained. - - I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, - - JAMES CAMPBELL, - _Postmaster General_. - -ROBT. G. RANKIN, Esq., _Pres’t of the Mexican Ocean Mail and Inland Co., -N. Y._ - - * * * * * - - POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, _September 23, 1853_. - -SIR: Should the proprietors of the Vera Cruz, Acapulco, and San Francisco -line apply for mail to take over their route, under the conditional order -of the late Postmaster General, dated 7th March, 1853, before delivering -such mail to them, you will report to department for further instructions. - - Very respectfully, your obedient servant, - - JAMES CAMPBELL, - _Postmaster General_. - -POSTMASTER, _New Orleans, Louisiana_. - -To Postmaster at San Diego, California: Same. - - J. C. - -To Postmaster at Monterey, California: Same. - - J. C. - -To Thos. J. Henley, Esq., San Francisco, California: Same. - - J. C. - - * * * * * - - WASHINGTON, _October 26, 1853_. - -DEAR SIR: The Mexican Ocean Mail and Inland Company, and Charles Morgan, -of New York, (through the agency of the undersigned,) present the -following facts, and ask such decision as an impartial consideration -of this memorial may produce. The company (having obtained from the -government of Mexico peculiar and well-authenticated privileges, whereby -they were enabled to present to the United States Post Office Department -a schedule of mail service which should insure the transmission of mails -between New Orleans and San Francisco in the short space of sixteen -days) urged the department for a mail contract authorizing the service, -which was granted, subject to an appropriation by Congress for payment. -Thereupon the company commenced proceedings for putting the route into -active operation. Proper agents were despatched to Mexico, and have been -actively engaged in overcoming such obstacles as, unremoved, would have -impeded rapid transit across that country. Roads were improved, others -made; coaches, harness, mules, and horses have been purchased, and a -large portion of them are already on the route, ready to commence the -carrying of the mails. In connexion with, and forming a portion of, this -through-route, a mail service from New Orleans to Vera Cruz has been -put into operation, the schedule for which was so arranged as to meet -at Acapulco with the mail steamers on the Pacific, insuring a proper -connexion on that end of the line. Thus nothing stood in the way of -the successful operation of the route, save the obstacles on the land, -which, being overcome, would enable us at once to perform our contract -in the specified time; but now that arrangements are completed for this -portion on the service, your memorialists find that an alteration in -the running on the Pacific has thrown out of gear this well-arranged -system. By the present schedule between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, -it is impossible to meet the Pacific steamers, as they now run, at -Acapulco, without suffering long delays at the latter point, entirely -ruining the efficacy of this otherwise desirable medium of transit. The -undersigned, C. Morgan, now urges that a knowledge of the existence of -a through-service to San Francisco was the inducement for his accepting -the portion of service between New Orleans and Vera Cruz; as, upon the -successful working of the through-route, he depended for any profits that -might inure to his ships from his connexion therewith. He has already -put upon the route a first-class steamship of over 1,100 tons burden, -and is building another of about 1,500 tons burden for the same purpose; -which two vessels will embrace an investment of nearly $300,000 for this -first portion of the enterprise. The company depend upon appropriations -by Congress for the means of remuneration; and as such appropriations can -only be secured by proofs of the practicability of the through-route, -as per schedule, they, together, ask your consideration of the efforts -they have made, and the moneys they have expended, under inducements -the Post Office Department held out to them, for such efforts and -expenditures, _by granting a through-service and arranging schedule -for connexion_; and respectfully petition that you will so alter the -schedule between New Orleans and Vera Cruz for the two trips per month, -now being performed, as will give them an opportunity of proving to -Congress that this is by far the most expeditious route yet opened to the -rich commerce of California; which proofs, they feel, must necessarily -insure the appropriations that shall furnish the means to enable them -eventually to carry the mails between the two great points in the short -space of thirteen days! Believing that your sense of justice, and desire -for advancing the mails in accordance with the progressive ideas of this -essentially progressive age, will induce an assent to their prayer, they -have the honor herewith to submit such _temporary_ schedule, for the -said two trips per month, as shall furnish the desired proofs; and, with -sentiments of regard and esteem, subscribe, respectfully, yours, - - The MEXICAN OCEAN MAIL AND INLAND CO.; - and CHARLES MORGAN, - per HARRIS & MORGAN, _of New Orleans_. - -Hon. JAMES CAMPBELL, _Postmaster General United States_. - - _Schedule._ - - Leave New Orleans 7th and 22d; - Arrive at Vera Cruz 10th and 25th. - Leave Vera Cruz 14th and 29th; - Arrive at New Orleans 17th and 2d. - - * * * * * - - OFFICE OF THE MEXICAN OCEAN MAIL AND INLAND CO., - _New York, October 29, 1853_. - -DEAR SIR: Herewith please find a letter addressed to our firm from the -president of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, explaining why the -schedule of running on the Pacific has been changed, (thus rendering -_useless_ the _present schedule_ between New Orleans and Vera Cruz;) and, -further, approving the schedule which we had the honor of submitting -for your consideration in our memorial, dated in Washington, D. C. -Trusting the views of our case, to which your attention has been called, -will induce a favorable decision, we have the honor to subscribe, with -sentiments of regard and respect, - - Your obedient servants, - - HARRIS & MORGAN. - -Hon. JAMES CAMPBELL, _Postmaster General United States_. - - * * * * * - - [For the Commercial Advertiser.] - - OFFICE OF THE MEXICAN OCEAN MAIL AND INLAND CO., - _New York, October 27, 1853_. - -In your issue of Wednesday evening, in the postscript of telegraphic news -from Mexico, an important error occurred in relation to the transmission -of San Francisco news by our route. Your correspondent says: “The news -came over the New Mexico or Ramsey route, and occupied about twenty-four -days in its transmission.” The facts are as follows: The news left San -Francisco on the 1st of October by the Nicaragua steamer Pacific; it -arrived at Acapulco on the 8th, crossed Mexico, and arrived at Vera Cruz -on the 12th, where the news remained from the 12th until the 22d, the -regular sailing day of the Texas, (the steamer that carried the news, -instead of the Mexico, as stated in your article.) If our steamer had -left Vera Cruz on the arrival of the news from Acapulco, our merchants -would have had the market prices in fifteen days from San Francisco via -New Orleans. If it should be asked why the Texas did not sail until the -22d, the only reply we have to offer is, that she was running on schedule -time appointed by the Post Office Department, and until that schedule is -altered the delay is likely to recur. With a proper connexion, our line -can deliver mails from San Francisco, into New Orleans weekly, in less -than sixteen days. - -Respectfully, your obedient servant, - - ROBERT G. RANKIN, _President_. - -Be pleased to observe, by extract from Commercial Advertiser, the -transmission of California news from California, by our route, in -fourteen days! - - H. & M. - - * * * * * - - PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY, - _New York, October 28, 1853_. - -GENTLEMEN: Having examined carefully the schedule proposed by you for -running on the route between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, so as to connect -at Acapulco with our steamers between Panama and San Francisco, I beg -leave to inform you that it meets our approval. - -When our company commenced to run weekly boats, the schedule of the -Texas was arranged to conform to the movements of those extra boats. -It happened, however, that the United States Mail Steamship Company, -although willing to perform extra service, and to let that service speak -for itself to Congress, was not willing to bind itself as the government -required, so as to shut out all prospect of extra remuneration by a -liberal legislature for extra duty; and, consequently, the steamers, on -intermediate weeks, on this side, were withdrawn. The connexion being -thus cut off, our company was obliged to discontinue its weekly trips, -after the schedule of the Vera Cruz and Acapulco route had been arranged -to conform to those trips. - -My understanding with Mr. Rankin is, that when the route is fairly -opened, we will run steamers in the Pacific in due connexion; and I am -prepared to assign this duty to two of our smaller first-class steamers -the moment I am justified in so doing. Until then, the merits of the -route can be tested by arranging a schedule to conform to the arrivals -at Acapulco, and, as far as possible, to the departures thence for -San Francisco of our steamers now running; and the interests of the -government and of the public unite in recommending such a course. - - Very truly, yours, - - WM. H. ASPINWALL, _President_. - -Messrs. HARRIS & MORGAN. - - * * * * * - - POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, - _November 3, 1853_. - -GENTLEMEN: In answer to your letter of the 26th ultimo, I have to -state that, at the request of Mr. Carmick, the contractor, the present -schedule of the New Orleans and Vera Cruz route was arranged to connect -with the contemplated route across from Vera Cruz to Acapulco, which -it was proposed to run in due connexion with an independent line of -steamers between Acapulco and San Francisco—thus, with the route via -Panama, giving a mail four times, instead of twice a month, between the -Atlantic States and California. It was not the intention to connect at -Acapulco with the steamers of the Panama line, but, as above remarked, -to establish an additional semi-monthly mail to run, via Vera Cruz and -Acapulco, alternately at regular intervals with the line via Panama. - -This arrangement was made with my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, with whom, -as Postmaster General, also a conditional contract was entered into -for the part of the service between Vera Cruz and San Francisco, which -contract was to take effect _only from the time it should be ratified -by Congress_; nor was it to have any force or validity whatever until -it should receive the sanction of Congress by the passage of an -appropriation to carry it into effect. No such sanction has as yet been -given by Congress; but, apart from this, and without troubling you with -my views on the whole subject, it is simply necessary for me to say that -there can be no recognition by this department of any arrangement by -which the additional semi-monthly mail, clearly contemplated by the then -Postmaster General, can be dispensed with. - -The application, therefore, for a change of schedule on the route from -New Orleans to Vera Cruz, must now be considered without reference to -any trips it may be proposed to run in connexion therewith beyond. The -contract requires three trips a month; you propose but two, and it is -unnecessary for me to say that the number of trips stipulated for in the -contract will be required. - - I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, - - JAMES CAMPBELL. - -Messrs. HARRIS & MORGAN, _New Orleans, La._ - - * * * * * - - WASHINGTON, _November 12, 1853_. - -DEAR SIR: It is with great reluctance that I encroach upon your time at -this particular season of your official duties; but what I have to say -can be read at your leisure, without much inconvenience. - -After my interview with you, yesterday, I was impressed with the idea -that you had received from some quarter erroneous and unfavorable -views in regard to this great national enterprise that I am so deeply -interested in. I trust, however, that you will not permit any such -influence to operate in your mind without affording us an opportunity -to be heard. I consider it a duty I owe you and your high position to -explain, in a frank and upright way, the true object we have in view -in regard to this project; it is to test the merits of this route for -a mail communication, the benefit of which will accrue to the country, -the government, and those engaged in perfecting it. We have asked no -remuneration from the government while pursuing this enterprise, but have -gone to work, at our own expense, and proved the entire feasibility of -this rapid communication, without the least hope or expectation that the -department should in any way be subjected, either directly or indirectly, -to an acknowledgment of responsibility for future remuneration. We -desire to establish a great national highway from ocean to ocean, over -a route in which there is a saving of 1,800 miles, between New Orleans -and San Francisco; and the day is not far distant when all the present -routes will only be secondary to it. This opinion is based on reasonable -grounds: first, the saving of time; and, second, the beauty of the -country, and the salubrious climate over which the route passes. There -is but one opinion on this subject among all Californians. We have -conceived that, in offering to our government the facilities of a rapid -mail communication on so important a route, we have a right to expect -from that government a liberal encouragement, at least by an expression -favorable to an enterprise where so much energy and capital is invested. -Our project has been fully investigated by the late cabinet, and, after -their mature consideration, it was acted upon. The contract was sustained -by an appeal of one-half of the United States Senate in a memorial to -the department, and by the personal solicitation of the representatives -from the South and West; also, by a memorial from the most influential -citizens of Louisiana—the same being now on file in the department. -General Rusk, who framed the law under which the contract was made, also -urged the advantages of this communication on the department; among -others were Senators Gwin and Soulé. This communication must depend -entirely on its merits, and by its advantages for the public welfare. If -it cannot offer greater inducements to the government than the present -routes, it cannot expect to succeed; but if it can be proved that this -is the speediest route, the law seems not to be violated while offering -facilities on the part of the government to test so important an object. -We have, however, proved beyond a doubt that the transit can be made from -sea to sea in from three to four days, and I hope you may offer us your -liberal co-operation, without involving in the least a compromise of the -public interest; it is no more than we have a right to expect from the -department. Governor Marcy, without looking into details, has expressed -to me similar views, and says that our communication seems to hold out -great national advantages, and he did not doubt but that you would look -on it in a proper light. I feel confident that Congress will support any -measure that can be proved of public utility for the South and West; -and this is a southwestern measure, without any demands from the public -treasury, to build steam-ships or railroads. I know the feeling that -existed last Congress on this subject, and I feel confident that it will -be supported by the South and West. - -I have spent several years of intense labor and a large amount of money -in bringing this enterprise to its present position. I have passed -through many deep and almost impenetrable barriers, and no impediment -shall stop the consummation of this great national work, save that of -the hand of Providence. I am sustained by capital and energy, and I -know no fail where perseverance can do the work. My future reputation -and welfare is largely involved in the success of this project, and I -sincerely beg that you will form no premature opinion on this subject -against my interest. I do not, however, believe that you would do so, -without an honest conviction of your judgment; but I do know that all -enterprises must expect opposition from various causes. Envy is no small -feature to contend with; and we have had to combat against it, solely -upon the ground that we have not been disposed to divide our interest -with others. The late administration was made aware of these facts, and -they received with great caution any information coming from doubtful -sources. - -I most respectfully ask that you will give an order, permitting me, as -one of the contractors, to carry a mail over this route from California, -leaving it optional with persons to send by this way, and to designate -the same on the letter; and in giving such an order, I wish you -particularly to state that the department will in _no way be bound for -any future remuneration for the service_. - - Very respectfully, your obedient servant, - - E. H. CARMICK. - -Hon. JAMES CAMPBELL. - - * * * * * - - OFFICE OF THE MEXICAN OCEAN MAIL AND INLAND CO., - _November 23, 1853_. - -SIR: In accordance with a request from Messrs. Ramsey and Carmick, the -contractors named in the contract hereinafter mentioned, I have the honor -of reporting to your department _the real character of the relations this -company sustains to the contract; the obstacles to the non-fulfilment of -it by a date as early as was anticipated; and a few remarks explanatory -of the route_. - -On the 15th day of February, 1853, a contract was made by the United -States government, acting by the Postmaster General, with Albert C. -Ramsey and Edward H. Carmick, of Pennsylvania, to carry the United States -mails between San Francisco and Vera Cruz, at certain definite and -specific periods mentioned in the schedule of the contract, for the sum -of $424,000 per year, for the period of four years, with the privilege -of extending it one year if the Post Office Department thought proper. -This contract was not of that liberal form heretofore characteristic of -all the other ocean mail contracts, but was in a form of that specific -and detailed character peculiar to any short land service, where time -might be insured to a minute. The contract was, in fact, so stringent -as to be incompatible with any but an honest intention to fulfil its -spirit and letter, in which spirit it was, in fact, assumed by the -parties associated in its performance. This contract was printed and -sent to the Senate at its last session, and is now on its files. By the -5th section of the law of 1848 it is illegal for contractors to assign -their contracts; and although aware that the department is not bound to -recognise any but the contractors, yet, frankness enforces the propriety -of saying that, by specific covenants, this company have agreed with -Messrs. Ramsey and Carmick to fulfil all the conditions of the contract -on their part, to be kept and performed in relation to the land service -between Vera Cruz and Acapulco, and that similar covenants have been -made with the Pacific Mail Steamship Company (William H. Aspinwall, -esq., president) for the sea service between Acapulco and San Francisco. -The contract distinctly specified that its schedule time (and in fact -the spirit of the contract) was to the intent that it should form part -and parcel of the contract for the gulf service, being an extension -of two of the trips between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, made (under a -specific law, August 30, 1852) with Mr. Carmick, so as to form, in its -own language, “_one through-line in sixteen days between New Orleans -and San Francisco_.” The gulf contract is without any condition as to -an appropriation; but the larger or Pacific contract is made contingent -upon an appropriation by Congress for its approval. The question might -be gravely raised, in looking at one contract as an integral part of -the other, whether the appropriation by Congress of $70,000 (a trifle -more than it was bid for and taken by Mr. Carmick, viz: $69,750) for the -gulf service, was not an approval in terms of the Pacific contract, and -discharged the condition of approval contained in it. But inasmuch as the -parties associated in the enterprise have no covert policy to pursue, -and have not yet been able to carry the mails in contract schedule time -between Acapulco and San Francisco, (although they have carried it -repeatedly in six days, or two days less than schedule time, between New -Orleans and Acapulco,) they have no disposition to raise issues or ask -for unearned appropriations. They presented their claims to the last -administration on the sole integrity, feasibility, and celerity of their -route; the proposals for the service were regularly advertised, and the -contract awarded to the parties as the lowest bidders, but not until -the most critical, searching, and minute examination was made of the -practicability of the whole route. The investigation was pursued by the -late Postmaster General Hubbard with a critical acumen that must have -detected any imperfection. The grants made to this company by the Mexican -government, and authenticated according to the highest forms known to -the Mexican laws, were not only critically examined, but verified at -Washington by the Mexican legation. These grants, instead of interfering -with treaty stipulations, will, if honestly developed, prove most -conservative elements in sustaining such stipulations by the promotion -of commercial, social, and domestic intercourse, and by the infusion of -fraternal comity in political and civil relations. - -_The obstacles to the non-fulfilment of the Pacific service._—As before -stated, the contractors, this company, and the Pacific Mail Steamship -Company, entered into mutual covenants, by which the latter company -obligated themselves to carry the mails between San Francisco and -Acapulco according to the contract and schedule time as therein set forth -by the department. At the date of the contract the Pacific Mail Steamship -Company were running a weekly line of steamers between Panama and San -Francisco, in the weeks intervening with their semi-monthly mail; and the -late administration intended, by this weekly line and the Vera Cruz and -Acapulco route, to send a weekly instead of semi-monthly mail to San -Francisco, and in sixteen days from New Orleans instead of twenty-eight -days (the average at that time of the semi-monthly mails) from New York. -The Pacific Mail Steamship Company withdrew their weekly line, which of -course prevented the execution of the Pacific service in contract time -until steamers could be placed on the line between Acapulco and San -Francisco, and which this company are making arrangements to effect, not -only in reference to the line from New Orleans, but from New York, so -as to carry passengers in sixteen or eighteen days from New York to San -Francisco. In consequence, however, of the (early) non-performance of the -Pacific service in schedule time, it is understood that your department -rescinded the order made by the late Postmaster General Hubbard for the -postmasters at New Orleans, San Francisco, San Diego, Monterey, and to -forward letters by this route. The disappointment of the contractors -by the withdrawal of the weekly line was great and embarrassing, -and disordered the whole arrangements of this company; and while we -respectfully defer to the abstract correctness of the position taken by -the Post Office Department on account of it, we yet hope that a great -enterprise, so eminently calculated to benefit our commerce, and one so -earnestly demanded by our southern and western citizens, as intimately -connected with their interests, might have a little further time to place -itself right before Congress and the department. - -It is respectfully suggested, in this connexion, that the Gulf service -is punctually performed twice a month, and will be three times a month -as soon as the steamer “Vera Cruz,” now nearly ready, can be finished; -that the land-service, _as will be hereafter shown_, (see appendix,) has -been performed, carrying an independent mail in sixty hours, (instead -of one hundred and twenty hours, schedule time;) that this company have -not asked for any special favors from the department—no advance on the -appropriations—as other ocean mail companies have done; that no pay is -asked for until the service is performed, and the money honestly and -equitably earned; and that the 2d section of the law of March 3, 1851, -is applicable to our case, viz: that the Postmaster General by this law -“_shall be bound to select the speediest, safest, and most economical -route_.” - -We deprecate a negation of the contract by the department until further -time is allowed us; and it is believed, in view of these facts and the -spirit of the law last referred to, that our enterprise may receive an -impartial consideration and presentation in your annual report on the -Post Office Department. An official condemnation, emanating from the -department under your administration, would be a serious obstacle in -the development of the Mexican grants. _It is believed by many that the -department had full power under the law to make the contract without -the intervention of Congress for its approval_; but having been made -with that contingency, it is now only asked that this enterprise may go -before Congress on its own merits and integrity. A spirit of frank and -honorable dealing renders it necessary for the undersigned to say, that a -difference exists among the associated parties as to the real value and -bearing of a government contract on this enterprise, and this difference -may have reached the ears of the department. - -Some of the parties believe that a government contract nationalizes the -route, and gives it an importance superior to mere individual enterprise, -and that the imperative necessity of “_making time_” insures more -despatch. Others of the parties believe that a line of fast steamers -from New Orleans to Vera Cruz, for the increasing southern and western -travel from the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, (composing -the source of nearly seven-tenths of the whole resident population of -California out of the city of San Francisco,) and another fast line of -steamers from New York to Vera Cruz in six or seven days, by steamers -built expressly for mail and passenger service, (and not naval service,) -of about one thousand tons, in connexion with similar steamers from -Acapulco to San Francisco in six days, would form a line that would take -precedence of all others for celerity and certainty. Experience has -exploded the idea that the mail and naval service can be performed by the -same steamers, and an examination of the steamers now in the employ of -the United States and mail-service department verifies the position that -steamers suitable for a marine battery are too slow for “mail-service,” -and that the light and fast steamer which can be propelled three -hundred and fifty miles in twenty-four hours is not suitable for a -battery corresponding with her tonnage or power adequate to such speed. -They believe that such a line, by this overland route, in sixteen, or -eighteen, or twenty days, with an independent mail, would seriously -diminish the postage receipts of the government, if not virtually -supersede them, and render the present mail contracts a sinecure in the -hands of the parties holding them. If offices should be opened in proper -places for the receipt of mail-matter by advertisements, and the company -should enclose that mail-matter in government-stamped envelopes, and -guaranty the delivery of the mail by this route in six, eight, or ten -days earlier than by the present government route, it is evident that the -great bulk of the mail-matter would go by the quickest route, even at -double, triple, or perhaps quadruple the present charge for postage. Such -an independent mail (_clearly within the law_) would, it is confidently -believed, measurably supersede the government mail, and reduce the -postage to a pittance. Moreover, such an independent line, not being -trammeled by government time, might connect with it English, West India, -Australian, and Asiatic mails, all of which are specifically allowed by -the several Mexican grants held by this company; and it is believed that -the time is not far distant when an English express independent mail -in forty-seven days, with Australia, will be in operation. It is also -thought by some, that this company should be entirely disembarrassed in -order to give an exclusive right to certain foreign interests. - -Having frankly stated the difference of opinion on this subject among -the associates in this enterprise, it is proper to say that a route -nationalized by a public contract is the true official expression of the -company’s opinion, and the one which is now before the department. In -conclusion on this point, it is respectfully suggested that this route -is to be one of the great inter-oceanic routes of Atlantic, California, -and Asiatic travel; that this enterprise may be fully developed by the -present administration of our government without expense in its initial -operations, but mainly by a prudent forbearance and official approbation, -and by an order to carry such mail matter as our citizens may choose to -send by it. - -The enterprise is emphatically a southern and western one; although -originated by Pennsylvanians, yet its vitality is due to New Orleans and -southern influence, as the very numerous memorials on the files of the -department or Congress, and signed by southern and western senators and -members, will attest. The steamer Texas, which has been performing the -Gulf service during the last summer, has carried a large amount of specie -into New Orleans, (at the rate of one million and a quarter per annum;) -and soon as the specie and express wagons of this company are fully at -work, millions of dollars will flow into the New Orleans mint from the -gold placers and silver mines of Mexico now being worked by American and -Mexican combined skill. - -_Of the practicability of the route._—The direct mail route runs from -Vera Cruz, by the way of Orizava, Cordova, Puebla, Matamoras, Chietla, -Mitapec, Kalcozotitlan, Chilapa, Tixtla, to Acapulco, with branches from -Puebla up to Mexico and via Cuernavaca. - -This road was called by Humboldt the “_Asiatic road_,” as indicative of -the maritime commerce of Spain; _and is the oldest road on the continent -of America_. This route is no new thing, as many suppose, but the whole -enterprise is but a recast of one developed long before our country had -its name or a place among the nations of the earth. - -Hundreds of millions of dollars have been received by the government of -Old Spain, transported over this road, in the interchange of productions -between the flotas of Spain and the galleons of the Indies, and millions -of American commerce are yet to be rolled over it in the progress of -American enterprise. The distance direct (as will be seen by the annexed -itinerary) from Vera Cruz to Acapulco is 404 miles, and via the city of -Mexico 517. Colonel Ramsey has since shortened this distance to under 390 -miles, and it will be reduced to less than 350. - -Over this road the materials and machinery for the vast coffee and sugar -plantations of Mexico have to be transported, and these plantations for -magnitude and productions are almost unequalled. - -From the fact that the current of foreign travel has been turned towards -the capital of Mexico, by the way of Jalapa and Perote, and also from -the further fact that the very _limited amount of American_ knowledge of -Mexico is associated with the line of operations of the American army -during the late war, less is publicly or _correctly_ known of our lower, -or more southern route, than of the upper or northern route. The lower -and shorter route presents the facilities of being six hours shorter -to Puebla, and of having lower grades, and a climate unequalled for -healthfulness, salubrity, and intertropical luxuriance of productions. - -There are features about the roads of Mexico generally that distinguish -them from our northern roads; they are not muddy, having no frosts to -produce periodic deterioration; they are only slightly disturbed during -the rainy months of June, July, and August. The rains during these rainy -months are not continuous, all-day rains, but fall in showers seldom -longer than an hour, generally in the afternoons and at night, and the -intervals between these showers are unclouded and salubrious. The whole -geological formation of Mexico is eccentric, and the soil generally -composed of the debris of matter of volcanic origin. Such materials -form the best roads, and with an exemption from frosts, dust, mud, and -rain, except in the rainy seasons, and with no fences to obstruct the -facilities for turnpike, road-making, and travelling, presented in this -part of Mexico, are unequalled. - -It should be remembered that this company are not encumbered with the -necessity of enormous expenditures for making canals, building railroads -and plank-roads, to develop their resources; they have only to expend -under $50,000 to make one of the finest roads in the finest climate of -North America, to travel smoothly and pleasantly, at the rate of seven -and ten miles per hour, from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. - -From the certificate of Mr. Blumenkron, (see Appendix A,) a gentleman -intimately acquainted with the whole route from personal observation, -it will be seen that the facilities for the transportation of mails -and passengers across the republic is the work of but little effort -and expense; and from the extracts of Colonel Ramsey’s letter, (see -Appendix B,) it will be seen what has actually been done. From these -statements—and they are daily corroborated by Americans and Mexicans who -have passed over the route—it appears that the mails have been carried -over (at the worst of all seasons, the rainy ones) in 50, 60, 70, 80, -and 81 hours; that the letter of Mr. Tyler announces their arrival at -Acapulco in six days from New Orleans, and that the mail time across may -be reduced to 48 hours, and passenger time to 54. - -The difficulties, dangers, and expense of mail transportation over this -route are not comparable with the Panama route, as it formerly was, or -even as it now is, as to the 17 miles yet uncovered by railroad; and this -company confidently believe that they will be able to carry the mails -over this route for a sum 50 per cent. per mile less than by the Panama -route, and in a time under three days. - -The company have placed a portion of their rolling stock upon the road, -at present equal to the transportation of fifty passengers per week -from ocean to ocean. This rolling stock consists of the very best built -Albany and Troy post-coaches, Concord (New Hampshire) passenger, baggage, -express and specie wagons, and about 500 horses and mules, (at the last -report 493.) - -It is hoped the next advices from Colonel Ramsey will give information -that this rolling stock is in operation. It is intended to increase the -rolling stock with the increase of travel. The local travel and business -in Mexico will alone pay a large interest on the investment; and were -there no connexion with steamers on either side, and as a mere stage -route, the profits will be large, especially when that portion of the -route through the State of Guerrero is properly worked and widened, and -over a portion of the route the company hold the exclusive right of -passage, ferries, tolls, &c., for fifty years. - -This company apprehend no difficulty in transporting any mails on account -of the weight, inasmuch as the company will be prepared to transport the -English mails, between England and Australia, in under 47 days; and those -mails, it is said, weigh 11 and 12 tons. - -The remarkable feature in this route is, that it passes through a -constant succession of cities, villages, ranches, &c., (few scarce ten -miles apart,) and through a population as dense as might have been found -on the old turnpike mail road from Albany to Buffalo before the age of -railroads, or on any of the great leading mail routes of New York and -Pennsylvania of a ratable distance; and the annexed itinerary, taken from -official Mexican documents, verifies the position. - -Fears have been expressed that robberies might endanger the mail, -passengers, or property. This difficulty has been wondrously magnified, -and is provided against, as the vehicles of this company are all armed -with blunderbusses and revolvers; and small, but strong, light, iron -boxes for specie, jewelry, and valuables, are securely attached as -fixtures in each coach. The material fact, however, on this point is, -that this line of route is seldom visited by robbers, owing to the more -peaceful, permanent, and dense character of the population, and the -consequent exposure to detection. General Santa Ana has, moreover, made a -decree that the inhabitants of each district shall be responsible for the -damages by such depredations. - -Much more might be said in relation to this route, but this memorial has -already become too long. Reiterating our former assertion, that we only -ask the opportunity of placing ourselves honorably before Congress, on -our own integrity, we hope that our enterprise may receive such official -sanction from the Post Office Department as may be most compatible with -the interests of the government and the benefit of the community. - - With great respect, your obedient servant, - - ROBERT G. RANKIN, - _President M. O. M. & I. Co._ - -Hon. JAMES CAMPBELL, _Postmaster General_. - - - - -APPENDIX A. - - -I hereby certify that I am intimately acquainted with the road between -Vera Cruz and Puebla, and thence to Acapulco. - -Having been engaged in mercantile business at Puebla for the last seven -years, I am intimately acquainted with every mile of this road, having, -from the nature of my business, been compelled often to travel over the -whole route, and am therefore free to say that the whole distance can be -travelled in stage-coaches without any impediment—this road being free -from robbers—and will require only an expenditure of from $25,000 to -$30,000, to make it equal to any stage route in the United States; and -at this time, without the expenditure of even a single dollar, the whole -distance can be travelled in stage-coaches, with the exception of about -thirteen leagues, with the utmost facility and expedition. The mail is -now taken from Vera Cruz to Acapulco in sixty hours, which time will -be shortly reduced to fifty hours; and this distance can be regularly -travelled with the mail coaches in that space of time the whole year -round. - - J. BLUMENKRON. - -CITY OF NEW YORK, _November 22, 1853_. - - - - -APPENDIX B. - -_Extracts from letters received from Colonel Ramsey, in Mexico, of the -dates following._ - - - “AUGUST 29, 1853. - -“I have received a letter from Mr. Markoe, an agent at Vera Cruz, dated -August 22, in which he says: ‘The Texas left this morning at 8 o’clock -a. m. The express arrived last night at 8. It left Acapulco on the 17th -at 4 p. m.’ Mr. Tyler writes me: ‘The riders have done nobly in getting -through in the time they did, considering the state of the roads, (in -the height of the rainy season.)’ Mr. Denman, at Acapulco, writes me -from Acapulco, August 23: ‘Your express which left Vera Cruz on the 17th -instant at 4 p. m., arrived here on the 22d at 4½ a. m.’” - - * * * * * - - “SEPTEMBER 15, 1853. - -“I only returned last evening from a trip I have been making over some -distance of our route. The express mail is not working to my entire -satisfaction, as too much time (80 hours) is too long, and I am anxious -to improve this important service.” - -“By the time that the rains are over, all our animals will be in prime -condition—say by the 1st November—and then our agents assure me they -can easily make the distance under 60 hours. This season has been -unprecedented for heavy rains and bad roads. We have now passed through -the worst of it, making the experiment under every possible disadvantage, -and proving that we can always run from port to port in 80 hours at the -farthest.” - -“I have a letter from Señor Gernez, the Secretary of State of Guerrero, -dated the 7th instant, in which he says: ‘The courier left Acapulco on -the 4th instant, at 4 p. m., and arrived here, (Tixtla,) in this city, on -the 5th, at 2 o’clock p. m.’ Now, by looking at the distance, you will -perceive that it is over the worst part of the road, and more than one -hundred[1] miles, at the very worst season of the year.” - -[1] The distance has since been reduced. - - * * * * * - - “OCTOBER 3, 1853. - -“I have been informed by the agent of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company -at Acapulco that the steamers will not hereafter touch at that port. If -this be the fact, it will be grave matter for the consideration of our -company. In that event, we will be cut off from receiving or forwarding -any California mails until we establish a connexion of our own.” - -“The careful examination I have directed to be made recently of the whole -length of our route, has dispelled many of the obstacles and difficulties -which we had supposed would have to be encountered. I always supposed -that, as we became more familiar with the route, and with the country on -both sides of it, difficulties would vanish.” - -“Our express mail has not only demonstrated the time in which we can run -over the route, but also the obstacles in the very worst season of the -very worst year.” - -“My last reports received of the time of the couriers from Vera Cruz, on -the 17th September, 4 p. m., were as follows: Arrived at Puebla 4 p. m. -on the 18th; arrived at Mitapec 11 a. m. on the 19th; arrived at Draper -3½ p. m. on the 19th; arrived at Papagallos river 10 a. m. of the 20th; -arrived at Acapulco at 6 p. m. of the 20th—the whole time three days and -two hours. At least four hours were lost by the courier going through -Chilpanzingo, which was out of the way.” - - * * * * * - - “OCTOBER 15, 1853. - -“Since writing the above, I have thought it best to finish the subject of -the gold-placers on the Mescala river. The existence of these mines have -long been known. You will find them mentioned in my notes on this valley, -under the article on ‘Mines;’ but recently gold has been found in such -abundance as to cause a sensation; people rush in crowds. - -“Since then other more extensive placers have been discovered on the -Papagallos river, in the line of our route. These have created a still -greater sensation, as you will see by the papers. My notes on the mines -are almost incredible; but it is gratifying to find every day new -confirmation of all that I described of the astonishing mineral wealth of -that country. - -“If I can leave the city in order to attend more closely to this express -line, I could soon convince you that eighty hours is slow travelling. The -last reports I sent you show an improvement on this, by reducing the time -to seventy hours. My orders will now, I trust, be obeyed, as it is pretty -evident I will take no excuses. I have now ordered the mail to be carried -in sixty hours, which is only a beginning. If my orders are carried -out, in six weeks time _I will have it done in forty-eight hours, which -will be at about seven miles per hour. This is no great feat in such a -country, in such a climate, and on such roads._ Were the horses now in -the proper condition, which they would be, had they been properly fed and -attended to, I could now perform it in forty-eight hours. You remark, -‘the route being feasible for an express mail under all the difficulties -incident to such an enterprise, why not feasible for heavy mails and -passengers?’ To this let me answer that the route, beyond all question, -is feasible for heavy mails, as much so as for light mails; we will gain -vastly in time as soon as we can put on our stages. - -“You must have been in mind that between Rincon and the crossing of the -Papagallos there are no mountains; and, to make the road practicable for -stages, it only requires some widening at the most trifling expense. Our -Concord wagons will suit admirably for this purpose. - -“I am ashamed of our contract to carry the California mail to New Orleans -in sixteen days, when I know we can carry it even to New York in a less -number of days. It has actually placed us in a false position, from which -we ought to relieve ourselves by a practical demonstration. - -“I regret extremely that the steamers have not joined us at the ends of -our route, so that we could demonstrate the few hours in which we can -make the distance across Mexico. All that I may report to you—all the -certificates of speed—will not satisfy the public; they must have the -letters and news from California. It is your affair to require them to -make the connexion.” - - * * * * * - - ACAPULCO, _September 23, 1853_. - -DEAR SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 16th -September. In reference to your metallic-boat, it is in good order, -excepting that the air-chambers have been cut open for the purpose of -stowing baggage. - -It is with much gratification that I received correspondence from New -Orleans in six days, by your last mail, which arrived here on the 20th -instant at 7¼ o’clock p. m.; and I am now satisfied that, at present, -this route presents facilities for the most rapid mail communication -between California and the United States. - - Yours, truly, - - S. TYLER, _Agent_. - -ALBERT C. RAMSEY, Esq., _Vice President and Agent, Mexico_. - - * * * * * - - OFFICE P. M. S. S. CO., - _Acapulco, September 21, 1853_. - -DEAR SIR: Your mail was received last night at 6 o’clock, bringing dates -from New Orleans to the 14th inst., which is very satisfactory, being as -yet, I think, the quickest time from the United States. - -The down boat from San Francisco I have advised you will not touch, for -which I am very sorry; but your mail matter will receive quick despatch -for San Francisco. - - Yours, truly, - - S. TYLER, _Agent_. - -ALBERT C. RAMSEY, Esq., _Mexico_. - - * * * * * - - [From the Universal, September 19, 1853.] - - _Improvements in the State of Puebla._ - -The Eco del Comercio of Vera Cruz, in its number of the 14th inst., -(September, 1853,) has the following paragraphs: - -“The Prefectura of Matamoras, in the State of Puebla, have under their -charge the repairing of the road which connects that State with the State -of Guerrero, and the work has been under the direction of Señor José -Maria Pavon since last January, with 70 presidential soldiers, afterwards -increased 80, provided with plenty of tools, rations, and clothes from -the municipal funds. In the first three months of that year, 15,000 yards -of road were opened near Mitapec to the State line of Guerrero; and -to the last dates, the 31st July last, 3,563 yards were repaired near -Chietta; and near Tepeojiema, (S. Juan Espanthan,) 8,529 yards.” - - * * * * * - -_Order of the Mexican government to facilitate our mails.—General direction - of mails._ - - MEXICO, _July 18, 1853_. - -In a supreme order of the 6th inst., which I received on the 16th, his -excellency the Minister of Hacienda (Treasury) writes to me as follows: - -“His excellency the President is informed, by your official despatch -No. 95, dated the 22d of June last, of the improvements introduced by -Mr. Albert C. Ramsey in the line of steamers between Acapulco and San -Francisco, in California, and between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, and -in that of mails from that port to Acapulco, whose days of arrival and -departure are stated in the copy which accompanies yours; and you ask to -be authorized to publish the same. His excellency has been pleased to -accord this permission, which I communicate to you in answer for that -purpose. To the same effect, their excellencies the governors of the -States of Vera Cruz, Puebla, Mexico, and Guerrero have been written to, -to place no obstacle in the way of the fixing the posts of Señor Ramsey, -but, on the contrary, to afford every facility in placing these very -useful establishments.” - -I have the honor of transmitting this to you for your information, and in -answer to your communications of the 16th June last and the 12th inst., -assuring you of my consideration and particular esteem. - -God and liberty. - - P. M. ANAYA. - -To Mr. ALBERT C. RAMSEY. - - * * * * * - - _General direction of mails._ - - MEXICO, _July 18, 1853_. - -By virtue of the contract (by supreme approbation) made with Don Alberte -C. Ramsey, with this general direction, to transport through the -territory of the republic the mails coming from foreign places, and going -also to foreign ports, by means of the ocean line of steamers between -Vera Cruz and New Orleans, and between Acapulco and San Francisco, in -California, the said Mr. Ramsey has arranged the trips of the said mails -in the following manner: - -_Line of steamers between Vera Cruz and New Orleans._—Leave New Orleans -every month the 1st, 14th, and 25th; arrive at Vera Cruz the 4th, 17th, -and 28th. Leave Vera Cruz the 1st, 8th, and 22d; arrive at New Orleans -the 4th, 11th, and 25th. - -_Line of steamers between Acapulco and San Francisco, connecting with the -express from Vera Cruz to Acapulco._—Leave Vera Cruz every month the 4th -and 17th; arrive at Acapulco the 9th and 22d. Leave Acapulco the 9th and -22d; arrive at San Francisco the 17th and 30th. Leave San Francisco the -8th and 24th; arrive at Acapulco the 16th and 1st. Leave Acapulco the -16th and 1st; arrive at Vera Cruz the 21st and 6th. - -All of which is, by supreme order, published for information. - - P. M. ANAYA. - - * * * * * - - NEW YORK, _November 28, 1854_. - -SIR: The undersigned would respectfully call your attention to their -contract of the 3d of March, 1852, with the department, for the -transportation of the United States mails between Vera Cruz, in Mexico, -and Acapulco, San Diego, Monterey, and San Francisco. By this contract it -was stipulated and intended to transport the mails semi-monthly between -New Orleans and San Francisco in sixteen days, (consecutively,) and -surety for a large amount was given for the faithful performance of the -service. By the terms of this contract it was subject to the approval of -Congress, and also to an appropriation by the same. - -The undersigned immediately prepared to perform the service in order -to satisfy the requirements of the department, and also to save their -surety harmless from their heavy obligation. Steamers were provided for -the service on the Pacific ocean, and one of the undersigned proceeded -to Mexico to take charge of the line between Vera Cruz and Acapulco. -Horses, mules, harness, stages, wagons, and other materiel, were rapidly -collected to furnish all that was required for the 384 miles of land -conveyance across Mexico. At the same time a small letter mail was -established, which commenced operations in July of the same year. By -this method it was designed to transmit, rapidly, intelligence between -the Atlantic and Pacific cities of the Union until the stages and -other materiel, were properly placed on the line. Under this temporary -arrangement, newspapers and letters were carried between California and -New Orleans in fourteen, thirteen, and twelve-and-a-half days. Had the -arrangement been completed for connecting with the steamers at Vera -Cruz and Acapulco, in no instance would the time have exceeded thirteen -days, as the distance by land across Mexico, from sea to sea, was -performed with great ease and security in less than three days. Frequent -experiments were made on parts of the Mexican road to test the time -required for the transportation of the mails when the stages were placed -on the route, and it was found that as soon as the mails were transported -in the vehicles prepared for that purpose, the time would not exceed -forty-eight consecutive hours between Vera Cruz and Acapulco. - -It was the intention of the undersigned to have commenced with the mail -stages in the month of December, as they were all ready prepared and on -the ground for that purpose. The expenses incurred under the contract -at that time, amounted to the sum of ninety-eight thousand dollars, -($98,000,) of which $56,000 have been paid, and the balance remains -unliquidated. But the department having at this time expressed, in an -annual report to Congress, a disapprobation of the contract on the ground -of the impolicy of conditional contracts, the undersigned ceased their -operations, and, consequently, have sustained serious damages from the -action of the department. It is to be regretted that the department -should have interposed to break up this enterprise, which, by the terms -of the contract, was to be exclusively in the power of Congress. It is -also to be regretted that this route, the shortest and best for the rapid -transmission of the mails, should thus remain unoccupied at the present -time. The undersigned are still ready and willing to perform the service -in the time and mode specified, and would further suggest that if they -were not required to touch at Monterey and San Diego, they would further -stipulate to carry the mails, at all times, so as to make each trip -between San Francisco and New Orleans in less than thirteen days. By the -other routes the time now required is some nine or ten days more. Thus an -important saving of time would be effected, and a corresponding benefit -to the public. - - Very respectfully, your obedient servants, - - ALBERT C. RAMSEY. - EDWARD H. CARMICK. - -Hon. JAMES CAMPBELL, _Postmaster General_. - - * * * * * - - POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, - _November 30, 1854_. - -GENTLEMEN: Your letter of the 28th instant has been received. The -conditional contract for service between San Francisco and Vera Cruz, to -which you refer, was executed on the 3d of March, 1853, just before I -came into office. My attention was called to the subject of Mr. Rankin’s -letter of the 16th of June, 1853. In my letter of the 9th July following, -I gave my views at length in regard to this contract; and if sums of -money were expended by you after that time, it was done with a full -knowledge of my views, which remain unchanged. - -I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, - - JAMES CAMPBELL, - _Postmaster General_. - -Messrs. RAMSEY & CARMICK, _New York, N. Y._ - - * * * * * - - NEW YORK, _December 20, 1854_. - -SIR: Your letter of the 30th ultimo was duly received. In referring to -the contract between the department and ourselves, you say that, on the -9th of July, 1853, you made known your disapproval of the contract in a -communication in answer to a letter from R. G. Rankin; and if we have -expended money after that time, on account of the contract, we have done -so with a full knowledge of your views. - -We were not informed, by your letter of the 9th of July, that you had -any intention of annulling our contract. We had completed all our -arrangements for stocking the road across Mexico prior to the receipt -of your letter; and, on account of the same, have expended the sum of -ninety-eight thousand dollars, ($98,000;) and our surety for the faithful -performance of the contract had been given, and we were bound to be ready -to carry the mails. - -Your letter certainly did not annul the contract; for then our sureties -would have been released from all responsibility on our account, and we -absolved from all reproach for the failure of the enterprise. On the -contrary, the department still considered the contract binding upon us, -as is apparent from the subsequent correspondence with Messrs. Harris -& Morgan. The steamers belonging to these gentlemen were carrying the -United States mail between that city and Vera Cruz. They had addressed -you on the subject of a change in the days of departure from each port, -so as to connect, by means of our line across Mexico, with the Panama -steamers, at Acapulco, running to San Francisco; and thus supplying -additional facilities for a more rapid and frequent transmission of -intelligence to and from California. The advantage of this arrangement -would have been immense to the Atlantic and Pacific cities, without any -inconvenience to the department, and moreover without one dollar expense -to it; of course, this arrangement was intended to continue only until -the appropriation should be made under our contract, when steamers were -to be placed on the line between Acapulco and San Francisco. - -The wishes of Messrs. Harris & Morgan, as well as those of the Pacific -Mail Steamship Company, desiring this temporary change in the schedule -time between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, were fully communicated in -writing to the department. But in your letter to Messrs. Harris & Morgan -of the 3d of November, 1853, you refused to accede to this request; -predicating your refusal on our contract made with your predecessor, -Mr. Hubbard, for the transmission of a semi-monthly California mail, in -which it was not contemplated that the mails sent from New Orleans, via -Vera Cruz and Acapulco, should go forward to California by the Panama -steamers, but by another line running only between Acapulco and San -Francisco; and which contract was awaiting the sanction of Congress. -You add: “No such sanction has yet been given by Congress; but apart -from this, and without troubling you with my views on the subject, it -is simply necessary for me to say, that there can be no recognition by -the department of any arrangement by which the additional semi-monthly -mail, clearly contemplated by the then Postmaster General, can be -dispensed with.” In this there is a positive recognition of our contract -or arrangement with Mr. Hubbard as still existing, which the department -would not “dispense with,” although it would, while our appropriation was -pending, have shortened the time some ten days to and from California by -connecting with the Panama steamers touching at Acapulco. - -When the annual report of the Post Office Department, in December, 1853, -was transmitted to Congress, we were led to believe, for the first time, -that you had decided virtually to annul our contract, as the estimate for -an appropriation under the contract was not sent in by you, but another -route for a semi-monthly mail was recommended. You will thus perceive we -were not apprized of the intentions of the department until the close -of the year 1853, when all our expenses had been incurred, and when, in -consequence of the official report, our operations ceased. - -In conclusion, the department, by its action, having virtually annulled -the contract, and having assumed to do that which, by the terms of the -contract, was left to Congress, we therefore deem ourselves grievously -damaged, and have more than an equitable claim for redress. - -Very respectfully, your obedient servants, - - ALBERT C. RAMSEY. - E. H. CARMICK. - -Hon. JAMES CAMPBELL, _Postmaster General_. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAMSEY & CARMICK, CONTRACT. -LETTER FROM THE POSTMASTER GENERAL *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. 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Letter from the Postmaster General, by Various</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Ramsey & Carmick, contract. Letter from the Postmaster General</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Various</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 29, 2022 [eBook #68864]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Adrian Mastronardi and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAMSEY & CARMICK, CONTRACT. LETTER FROM THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ***</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_1"></a>[1]</span></p> - -<table> - <tr> - <td class="masthead">33d <span class="smcap">Congress</span>,<br /><i>2d Session</i>.</td> - <td class="masthead">HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.</td> - <td class="masthead"><span class="smcap">Ex. Doc.<br />No. 47.</span></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<h1>RAMSEY & CARMICK—CONTRACT.</h1> - -<hr class="r15" /> - -<p class="titlepage"><b>LETTER</b><br /> -<span class="smaller">FROM</span><br /> -<span class="larger">THE POSTMASTER GENERAL,</span><br /> -<span class="smaller">TRANSMITTING</span><br /> -<i>Copy of a conditional mail contract; also copies of correspondence<br /> -relative to the same</i>.</p> - -<hr class="r15" /> - -<p class="center smaller"><span class="smcap">February 1, 1855.</span>—Referred -to the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, and ordered -to be printed.</p> - -<hr class="r15" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 6em;"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>,</span><br /> -<i>Washington, January 31, 1855</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: I have the honor to transmit herewith, in compliance with the -resolution of the House of the 2d of January instant, a copy of the -conditional contract made by my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, with -Messrs. Ramsey & Carmick, on the 3d of March, 1853, for the extension -of two of the trips on the New Orleans and Vera Cruz line, from -Vera Cruz, Mexico, via Acapulco, to San Francisco in California; -also copies of all the correspondence relative to the same, and also -relative to the change of schedule proposed on the line from New Orleans -to Vera Cruz.</p> - -<p>My views in regard to this contract were fully stated in my annual -report to Congress of December 1, 1853, and are also contained in the -correspondence herewith communicated. It was not deemed necessary -to answer the letter of Robert G. Rankin, president of the Mexican Ocean -Mail and Inland Company, dated November 23, 1853, and received at -the department on the 30th of January, 1854. That they were not -prepared to fulfil their conditional contract on the 23d of November, -1853, nine months after its execution, is therein conceded, and the -department had neither the time nor desire to enter into a discussion of -the irrelevant matters introduced into the body of that letter.</p> - -<p>The objections which I entertained to the change of schedule on the -New Orleans and Vera Cruz route, proposed, by Messrs. Harris & -Morgan in their letter of the 26th October, 1853, were two-fold:</p> - -<p>1st. That by authorizing the change proposed the original intent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_2"></a>[2]</span> -and object of my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, in entering into the conditional -contract with Messrs. Ramsey and Carmick—which was, to -secure an additional semi-monthly mail between the Atlantic States -and California by alternating at regular intervals with the present -semi-monthly line via Panama—would have been entirely frustrated; -and thus, instead of having a weekly mail between the Atlantic and -Pacific, there would have been, as heretofore, only a semi-monthly -communication.</p> - -<p>2d. By changing the schedule so as to make connections at Acapulco -with the steamers of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, that company -would receive not only their regular compensation under their -contract with the government, but extra pay under the contract of -Ramsey & Carmick, although no additional service was really rendered -by them to the department or the public.</p> - -<p>Authority having been given by Mr. Hubbard on the 7th of March, -1853, to the postmasters of New Orleans, San Diego, Monterey and -San Francisco, to make up and send mails by the Vera Cruz and -Acapulco line, containing such matter as was expressly directed to go -by that line, I took the precaution to withhold from those officers the -authority to send mails without first consulting the department, by -instructing them, on the 23d of September following, to report to the -department before delivering such mails, for further instructions, -should the proprietors apply for them. My object in issuing those instructions -was simply to enable the department to be fully satisfied -that all mails forwarded by that route were committed to the care and -custody of competent and proper persons, and would be safely transported -through Mexico. It does not appear, however, that any application -has ever been made by Messrs. Ramsey & Carmick for a mail to -be conveyed by that route, as no report from any postmaster to that -effect has been received at this department.</p> - -<p>I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right">JAMES CAMPBELL.</p> - -<p class="hanging">Hon. <span class="smcap">Linn Boyd</span>,<br /> -<i>Speaker of House of Representatives</i>.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><span class="smcap">No. 9—$424,000 per annum.</span></h2> - -</div> - -<p><i>This article of contract</i>, made the fifteenth day of February, in the -year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, between the United -States (acting in this behalf by their Postmaster General) and Albert -C. Ramsey and Edward H. Carmick, William H. Aspinwall and Edwin -Bartlett, of the city of New York; Silas C. Herring, Elihu Townsend, -Simeon Draper, and R. B. Coleman, of the same place, <i>witnesseth</i>: -That whereas, by an act of Congress, passed March 3, 1845, -entitled “An act to provide for the transportation of the mail between -the United States and foreign countries, and for other purposes,” the -Postmaster General is authorized to contract for the transportation -of the United States mail between any of the ports of the United<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_3"></a>[3]</span> -States and a port or ports of any foreign power whenever, in his -opinion, the public interests will thereby be promoted; and whereas, -by another act of Congress, passed March 3, 1851, entitled “An act -to establish certain post-roads in the United States and the Territories -thereof,” the Postmaster General is authorized to enter into contracts, -for a period not longer than four years, for transporting -through any foreign country the mails of the United States, and that -in making such contracts, the Postmaster General shall be bound to -select the speediest, safest, and most economical route; and whereas -notice has been given by advertising, in accordance with the directions -of said act, for inviting proposals for mail contracts, under and -by virtue of the acts aforesaid; and whereas Albert C. Ramsey and -Edward H. Carmick have been accepted, according to law, as contractors -for transporting the mail on route No. 9, from Vera Cruz, via -Acapulco, to San Francisco and back, twice a month, according to the -schedule hereinafter mentioned, in thirteen days each way, being an -extension of two of the trips on the New Orleans and Vera Cruz line -through Mexico, for the purpose of conveying the mail, and thus -making one through-line in sixteen days between New Orleans and -San Francisco, at and for the sum of four hundred and twenty-four -thousand dollars per year, for and during the term commencing from -the time Congress shall ratify this contract, and ending four years -from that date, with the right reserved to the Postmaster General to -continue it one year longer, at the same terms:</p> - -<p>Now, therefore, the said Albert C. Ramsey and Edward H. Carmick, -contractors, and Silas C. Herring, Elihu Townsend, Simeon -Draper, Robert B. Coleman, William H. Aspinwall, and Edwin -Bartlett, their sureties, do jointly and severally undertake, covenant, -and agree with the United States, and do bind themselves:</p> - -<p>1st. To carry said mail within the times fixed in the annexed -schedule of departures and arrivals, and so carry until said schedule -is altered by the authority of the Postmaster General of the United -States, as hereinafter provided, and then to carry according to said -altered schedule.</p> - -<p>2d. To carry said mail in a safe and secure manner, free from wet -or other injury, in weather-proof bags and vehicles on the land route, -and in a separate and convenient apartment on shipboard, to be suitably -fitted up under order of the department, at the expense of the -contractors, for the assorting and safe-keeping of the mails, and for -the sole and exclusive occupation, use, and accommodation of the -Post Office Department and its mail-agent, if the Postmaster General -shall require it for the use and accommodation of the mail and mail-agent, -and such mail-agent is to be conveyed without further charge.</p> - -<p>In case the contractors fail to furnish such suitable accommodations, -the department shall have the right to provide the bags, -vehicles, or apartments, or other suitable accommodations, at the expense -of the contractors.</p> - -<p>3d. To take the mail and every part of it from, and deliver it and -every part of it into, the post office at San Francisco, and to and from -the mail steamers at Vera Cruz on the New Orleans and Vera Cruz -line, and also to deliver and receive the mails at San Diego and Monterey,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_4"></a>[4]</span> -regularly by each trip going and returning, as is now done by -the “Pacific Mail Steamship Company.”</p> - -<p>They also undertake, covenant, and agree with the United States, -and do bind themselves, jointly and severally, as aforesaid, to be -answerable for the person to whom the said contractors shall commit -the care and transportation of the mail, and accountable to the United -States for any damages which may be sustained by the United States -through his unfaithfulness or want of care; and that the said contractors -will discharge any carrier of said mail whenever required to -do so by the Postmaster General; also, that they will not transmit -by themselves or their agent, or be concerned in transmitting, commercial -intelligence more rapidly than by mail, and they will not -carry out of the mail letters or newspapers which should go by post; -and that they will not, knowingly, convey any person carrying on -the business of transporting letters or other mail matter without the -consent of the department; and further, that the said contractors -will convey, without additional charge, post-office blanks, mail bags, -and the special agents of the department, on the exhibition of their -credentials.</p> - -<p>They further undertake, covenant, and agree with the United -States, that the said contractors will collect quarterly, if required by -the Postmaster General, of postmasters on said route, the balances due -from them to the General Post Office, and faithfully render an account -thereof to the Postmaster General in the settlement of quarterly -accounts, and will pay over to the General Post Office all balances -remaining in their hands.</p> - -<p>For which services, when performed, the said Albert C. Ramsey -and Edward H. Carmick, contractors, are to be paid by the said -United States the sum of four hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars -a year, to wit: quarterly, in the months of May, August, November, -and February, through the postmasters on the route, or -otherwise, at the option of the Postmaster General of the United -States; said pay to be subject, however, to be reduced or discontinued -by the Postmaster General, as hereinafter stipulated, or to be suspended -in case of delinquency.</p> - -<p>It is hereby stipulated and agreed by the said contractors and their -sureties, that the Postmaster General may increase the service or -change the schedule, he allowing a pro rata increase of compensation -within the restrictions imposed by law for the additional service required; -but the contractors may, in case of increased service or change -of schedule, relinquish the contract, on timely notice, if they prefer it -to the change.</p> - -<p>It is hereby also stipulated and agreed by the said contractors and -their sureties, that in all cases there is to be a forfeiture of the pay of -a trip when the trip is not performed, and of not more than three times -the pay of a trip when the trip is not duly performed and no sufficient -excuse for the failure is furnished; a forfeiture of at least one-fourth -part of it when the running is so far behind time as to lose connexion -with a depending mail, unless it is shown that the same was not -caused by neglect, or want of proper skill or misconduct, and a forfeiture -of a due proportion of it when a grade of service is rendered<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_5"></a>[5]</span> -inferior to the mode of conveyance above stipulated; and that these -forfeitures may be increased into penalties of a higher amount, according -to the nature or frequency of the failure, and the importance -of the mail; also that fines may be imposed upon the contractors, -unless the delinquency be satisfactorily explained to the Postmaster -General in due time, for failing to take from or deliver at a post office, -or a steam-vessel, the mail, or any part of it; for suffering it to be -wet, injured, lost, or destroyed; for carrying it in a place or manner -that exposes it to depredation, loss or injury, by being wet, or otherwise; -for refusing, after demand, to carry a mail by any vessel or -other vehicle which the contractors run or are concerned in running -on the route beyond the number of trips above specified; or for not -arriving at the time set in the schedule, unless not caused by neglect -or want of proper skill, or by misconduct. And for setting up or -running an express to transmit letters or commercial intelligence in -advance of the mail, or for transporting knowingly, or after being informed, -any one engaged in transporting letters or mail matter in -violation of the laws of the United States, a penalty of five hundred -dollars may be exacted for each offence, and for each article so carried.</p> - -<p>And it is hereby further stipulated and agreed by the said contractors -and their sureties that the Postmaster General may annul the -contract for repeated failures; for violating the post office laws; for -disobeying the instructions of the department; for refusing to discharge -a carrier, or any other person having charge of the mail by -his direction, when required by the department; for assigning the -contract without the consent of the Postmaster General; for setting -up or running an express as aforesaid, or for transporting persons, -conveying mail matter out of the mail as aforesaid; or whenever the -contractors or either of them shall become a postmaster, assistant -postmaster, or member of Congress; and this contract shall in all its -parts be subject to the terms and requisitions of an act of Congress -passed on the twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord one -thousand eight hundred and eight, entitled “An act concerning public -contracts.”</p> - -<p>And it is hereby further stipulated and agreed by the said contractors, -that the steam-vessels for the service between San Francisco and -Acapulco shall be of a class contemplated by the act of Congress, -passed March 3, 1845, entitled “An act to provide for the transportation -of the mail between the United States and foreign countries, -and for other purposes;” and that the same shall be delivered to the -United States, or their proper officer, on demand made, for the purpose -of being converted into vessels of war, according to the tenor and -terms of the said act.</p> - -<p>And it is hereby further expressly understood that this contract is -to have no force or validity until it shall have received the sanction of -the Congress of the United States, by the passage of an appropriation -to carry it into effect.</p> - -<p>In witness whereof, the said Postmaster General has caused the -seal of the Post Office Department to be hereto affixed, and has attested -the same by his signature; and the said contractors and their<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_6"></a>[6]</span> -sureties have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year set -opposite their names, respectively.</p> - -<table> - <tr> - <td>S. D. HUBBARD, <i>Postmaster General</i>.</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">March 3, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>WM. H. ASPINWALL,</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">March 3, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>EDWIN BARTLETT,</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">March 3, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="in1"><i>By Wm. H. Davidge, their Att’y</i>.</td> - <td></td> - <td class="nw"></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>ALBERT C. RAMSEY.</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">February 25, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>EDWARD H. CARMICK.</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">February 25, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>SILAS C. HERRING.</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">February 25, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>ELIHU TOWNSEND.</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">February 25, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>SIMEON DRAPER.</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">February 25, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>R. B. COLEMAN.</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">February 25, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>THE MEXICAN OCEAN MAIL AND INLAND COMPANY,</td> - <td>[<span class="allsmcap">SEAL.</span>]</td> - <td class="nw">February 25, 1853.</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="in1"><i>By Robert G. Rankin, President</i>.</td> - <td></td> - <td class="nw"></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Signed, sealed, and delivered by the Postmaster General in the -presence of—</p> - -<ul> -<li><span class="smcap">James Lawrenson.</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">R. T. McLain.</span></li> -</ul> - -<p>And by the other parties hereto in the presence of—</p> - -<ul> -<li><span class="smcap">J. B. Nott</span>, witness for A. C. Ramsey, S. Draper, and R. B. Coleman, and Edward H. Carmick.</li> -<li><span class="smcap">Edward S. Gould</span>, witness to S. C. Herring.</li> -</ul> - -<p>Witness to Wm. H. Davidge’s signature, as attorney of Wm. H. -Aspinwall and Edwin Bartlett—</p> - -<ul> -<li><span class="smcap">James Lawrenson.</span></li> -<li><span class="smcap">R. T. McLain.</span></li> -</ul> - -<p>Witness to R. G. Rankin’s signature—</p> - -<ul> -<li><span class="smcap">Jno. T. Howard.</span></li> -</ul> - -<p>I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Albert C. Ramsey, -and Edward H. Carmick, and Silas C. Herring, Elihu Townsend, -Simeon Draper, and R. B. Coleman, and the condition of their property; -and that, after full investigation and inquiry, I am well satisfied -that they are good and sufficient sureties for the amount in the foregoing -contract.</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 8.5em;">WM. V. BRADY,</span><br /> -<i>Postmaster at New York</i>.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>The schedule of Departures and Arrivals.</i></p> - -<p>Leave Vera Cruz on the 4th and 17th of each month. Arrive at -Acapulco by the 9th and 22d of each month.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_7"></a>[7]</span></p> - -<p>Leave Acapulco on the 9th and 22d of each month. Arrive at San -Francisco by the 17th and 30th of each month.</p> - -<p>Leave San Francisco on the 8th and 24th of each month. Arrive -at Acapulco by the 16th and 1st of each month.</p> - -<p>Leave Acapulco on the 16th and 1st of each month. Arrive at Vera -Cruz by the 21st and 6th of each month.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>,</span><br /> -<i>March 7, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: The postmasters of New Orleans, San Francisco, Monterey -and San Diego, will be authorized to send a mail by the Vera -Cruz and Acapulco line, containing letters or papers expressly directed -to go by that line, when said communication is open, and you -are prepared to carry a mail, with the express understanding that -neither this department nor the government is to be in any way -holden for any expenses attending such service; but, as provided in -the contract, it is left for Congress to determine whether the contract -is to be sanctioned by an appropriation to carry it into effect—the -pay, if any, for said service commencing only in accordance with the -terms of the contract made February 15, 1853.</p> - -<p class="center">I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 4em;">S. D. HUBBARD,</span><br /> -<i>Postmaster General</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Messrs. Ramsey & Carmick</span>, <i>New York</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>,</span><br /> -<i>March 7, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: You are hereby authorized to make up and send a mail by the -Vera Cruz and Acapulco line, containing letters or papers expressly -directed to go by that line, when said communication is open, and the -contractors are prepared to carry a mail on the terms of their contract -of February 15, 1853. You would do well, perhaps, to advertise to -the above effect, adding that all letters, &c., not marked as above -indicated, will be forwarded by the Panama route.</p> - -<p class="center">Respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 4em;">S. D. HUBBARD,</span><br /> -<i>Postmaster General</i>.</p> - -<p class="hanging"><span class="smcap">Postmaster</span>,<br /> -<i>San Francisco, California</i>.</p> - -<p>[Same to postmasters of New Orleans, San Diego, and Monterey.]</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Office of the Mexican Ocean Mail and Inland Co.</span>,</span><br /> -<i>New York, June 15, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Sir</span>: The position that our company sustains to the government, -(as the real parties by contract,) to execute the mail contracts<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_8"></a>[8]</span> -with Messrs. Ramsey & Carmick, renders it proper that the -Post Office Department should be advised of the state of forwardness -on the part of the contractors to fulfil the contracts.</p> - -<p>Our vice president, Colonel Albert C. Ramsey, is now in Mexico -assigning the stations. In all this month and next month, the -coaches, wagons, and literas will be in Mexico—portions of them -being on their way now. By August 10 the mules and horses (1,000) -will be down from Coahuila, and we then expect to make the regular -transit across.</p> - -<p>Although the contracts only require a bi-monthly mail, we are -making all our arrangements for a <i>daily line</i> of transit across Mexico, -feeling justified by the assurances we have from Mexico. We shall -also establish a weekly line of steamers from New Orleans to Vera -Cruz, (one steamer is now running there, and another now building;) -and with the use of the new <i>envelopes</i>,(when they appear,) we shall -actually afford a weekly line from New Orleans to San Francisco; -and if the steamers on the Pacific could be arranged, we could make -a daily line to San Francisco in sixteen days. Our land route will -be daily, in any case, on account of our Mexican facilities.</p> - -<p>We have purchased and ordered the whole of the rolling stock for -the transit, and parties are now in Mexico clearing obstructions, and -we shall not, I think, require the full time allowed by the contract for -the transit, although trial only will verify our expectations.</p> - -<p>We already have a margin in our favor in the gulf service, as our -steamer, the “Texas,” has performed the duty in sixty hours; and -the Pacific service has been done in twenty-four and thirty hours less -than schedule time. Our recent reports from Mexico justify us in the -expectation of carrying the mails in fourteen days from New Orleans -to San Francisco, and six months of experimental operation will, I -think, show the feasibility of doing the regular service in within fifteen -days.</p> - -<p>In conclusion, I would add that we are exerting every energy in -pushing the thing up, and shall spare neither time nor money in proving -the truthfulness of all our positions.</p> - -<p>An estafette mail will be carried from Vera Cruz and New Orleans -to San Francisco next month, until the service becomes regular.</p> - -<p class="center">I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;">ROBT. G. RANKIN,</span><br /> -<i>President</i>.</p> - -<p>We have the <i>highest</i> assurance of <i>our</i> favorable position in Mexico.</p> - -<p class="hanging">Hon. <span class="smcap">James Campbell</span>,<br /> -<i>Postmaster General U. S., &c.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>, <i>July 9, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: Your letter of the 15th ultimo came duly to hand. My attention -having been specially called to the circumstances connected with -the contemplated line to the Pacific via Vera Cruz and Acapulco, I -feel it my duty, after due deliberation, to inform you that the conditional<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_9"></a>[9]</span> -contract entered into between my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, -and Messrs. Ramsey and Carmick, for the conveyance of the mails -over this line to San Francisco, does not meet with my approbation.</p> - -<p>In the first place, as at present advised, I consider the route impracticable -for mail purposes.</p> - -<p>In the second place, the sums of money yearly drawn from the -treasury for contracts, which have for several years been, and are -still in force, for the transportation of the mails between the Atlantic -and the Pacific, are very considerable, amounting to about $731,868. -In view of this fact, and of the many sections and neighborhoods, in -the different States, which are either greatly restricted in, or deprived -altogether of mail facilities, it appears to me both inexpedient and -unjust to go into the expenditure of a still further sum of $424,000 -for the service in question.</p> - -<p>Moreover, I disapprove of the principle upon which this contract is -made. In my opinion, if the Postmaster General has the right to -make such a contract at all, it ought to be made without the restriction -or limitation contained in yours, by which its force or validity is -made to depend upon the passage of an appropriation by Congress to -carry it into effect. I am unwilling to recognise any contingency of -this kind, because, although the contractors may, under such conditional -arrangement, establish no legal claim for compensation, they -may, nevertheless, go on and incur expenses, in the expectation that -they will be paid, and Congress, more from private sympathy than -from public policy or right, be at length induced to yield to a measure -to which its prior sanction never could have been obtained.</p> - -<p class="center">I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 4em;">JAMES CAMPBELL,</span><br /> -<i>Postmaster General</i>.</p> - -<p class="hanging"><span class="smcap">Robt. G. Rankin</span>, Esq.,<br /> -<i>Pres’t of the Mexican Ocean Mail and Inland Co., N. Y.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>, <i>September 23, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: Should the proprietors of the Vera Cruz, Acapulco, and San -Francisco line apply for mail to take over their route, under the conditional -order of the late Postmaster General, dated 7th March, 1853, -before delivering such mail to them, you will report to department -for further instructions.</p> - -<p class="center">Very respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 4em;">JAMES CAMPBELL,</span><br /> -<i>Postmaster General</i>.</p> - -<p class="hanging"><span class="smcap">Postmaster</span>,<br /> -<i>New Orleans, Louisiana</i>.</p> - -<p>To Postmaster at San Diego, California: Same.</p> - -<p class="right">J. C.</p> - -<p>To Postmaster at Monterey, California: Same.</p> - -<p class="right">J. C.</p> - -<p>To Thos. J. Henley, Esq., San Francisco, California: Same.</p> - -<p class="right">J. C.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a>[10]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Washington</span>, <i>October 26, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: The Mexican Ocean Mail and Inland Company, and -Charles Morgan, of New York, (through the agency of the undersigned,) -present the following facts, and ask such decision as an impartial -consideration of this memorial may produce. The company -(having obtained from the government of Mexico peculiar and well-authenticated -privileges, whereby they were enabled to present to -the United States Post Office Department a schedule of mail service -which should insure the transmission of mails between New Orleans -and San Francisco in the short space of sixteen days) urged the department -for a mail contract authorizing the service, which was -granted, subject to an appropriation by Congress for payment. Thereupon -the company commenced proceedings for putting the route into -active operation. Proper agents were despatched to Mexico, and have -been actively engaged in overcoming such obstacles as, unremoved, -would have impeded rapid transit across that country. Roads were -improved, others made; coaches, harness, mules, and horses have -been purchased, and a large portion of them are already on the route, -ready to commence the carrying of the mails. In connexion with, -and forming a portion of, this through-route, a mail service from -New Orleans to Vera Cruz has been put into operation, the schedule -for which was so arranged as to meet at Acapulco with the mail -steamers on the Pacific, insuring a proper connexion on that end of -the line. Thus nothing stood in the way of the successful operation -of the route, save the obstacles on the land, which, being overcome, -would enable us at once to perform our contract in the specified time; -but now that arrangements are completed for this portion on the service, -your memorialists find that an alteration in the running on the -Pacific has thrown out of gear this well-arranged system. By the -present schedule between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, it is impossible -to meet the Pacific steamers, as they now run, at Acapulco, without -suffering long delays at the latter point, entirely ruining the efficacy -of this otherwise desirable medium of transit. The undersigned, C. -Morgan, now urges that a knowledge of the existence of a through-service -to San Francisco was the inducement for his accepting the -portion of service between New Orleans and Vera Cruz; as, upon the -successful working of the through-route, he depended for any profits -that might inure to his ships from his connexion therewith. He has -already put upon the route a first-class steamship of over 1,100 tons -burden, and is building another of about 1,500 tons burden for the -same purpose; which two vessels will embrace an investment of nearly -$300,000 for this first portion of the enterprise. The company depend -upon appropriations by Congress for the means of remuneration; -and as such appropriations can only be secured by proofs of the practicability -of the through-route, as per schedule, they, together, ask -your consideration of the efforts they have made, and the moneys -they have expended, under inducements the Post Office Department -held out to them, for such efforts and expenditures, <i>by granting -a through-service and arranging schedule for connexion</i>; and respectfully -petition that you will so alter the schedule between New Orleans -and Vera Cruz for the two trips per month, now being performed,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_11"></a>[11]</span> -as will give them an opportunity of proving to Congress that -this is by far the most expeditious route yet opened to the rich commerce -of California; which proofs, they feel, must necessarily insure -the appropriations that shall furnish the means to enable them eventually -to carry the mails between the two great points in the short -space of thirteen days! Believing that your sense of justice, and -desire for advancing the mails in accordance with the progressive ideas -of this essentially progressive age, will induce an assent to their prayer, -they have the honor herewith to submit such <i>temporary</i> schedule, for -the said two trips per month, as shall furnish the desired proofs; and, -with sentiments of regard and esteem, subscribe, respectfully, yours,</p> - -<p class="noindent">The MEXICAN OCEAN MAIL AND INLAND CO.;<br /> -and CHARLES MORGAN,<br /> -per <span class="smcap">Harris & Morgan</span>, <i>of New Orleans</i>.</p> - -<p class="hanging">Hon. <span class="smcap">James Campbell</span>,<br /> -<i>Postmaster General United States</i>.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Schedule.</i></p> - -<ul> -<li>Leave New Orleans 7th and 22d;</li> -<li>Arrive at Vera Cruz 10th and 25th.</li> -<li>Leave Vera Cruz 14th and 29th;</li> -<li>Arrive at New Orleans 17th and 2d.</li> -</ul> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Office of the Mexican Ocean Mail and Inland Co.</span>,</span><br /> -<i>New York, October 29, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: Herewith please find a letter addressed to our firm from -the president of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, explaining -why the schedule of running on the Pacific has been changed, (thus -rendering <i>useless</i> the <i>present schedule</i> between New Orleans and Vera -Cruz;) and, further, approving the schedule which we had the honor -of submitting for your consideration in our memorial, dated in Washington, -D. C. Trusting the views of our case, to which your attention -has been called, will induce a favorable decision, we have the -honor to subscribe, with sentiments of regard and respect,</p> - -<p class="center">Your obedient servants,</p> - -<p class="right">HARRIS & MORGAN.</p> - -<p class="hanging">Hon. <span class="smcap">James Campbell</span>,<br /> -<i>Postmaster General United States</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="center smaller">[For the Commercial Advertiser.]</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Office of the Mexican Ocean Mail and Inland Co.</span>,</span><br /> -<i>New York, October 27, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p>In your issue of Wednesday evening, in the postscript of telegraphic -news from Mexico, an important error occurred in relation to the -transmission of San Francisco news by our route. Your correspondent<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_12"></a>[12]</span> -says: “The news came over the New Mexico or Ramsey route, -and occupied about twenty-four days in its transmission.” The facts -are as follows: The news left San Francisco on the 1st of October by -the Nicaragua steamer Pacific; it arrived at Acapulco on the 8th, -crossed Mexico, and arrived at Vera Cruz on the 12th, where the -news remained from the 12th until the 22d, the regular sailing day -of the Texas, (the steamer that carried the news, instead of the Mexico, -as stated in your article.) If our steamer had left Vera Cruz on -the arrival of the news from Acapulco, our merchants would have -had the market prices in fifteen days from San Francisco via New Orleans. -If it should be asked why the Texas did not sail until the -22d, the only reply we have to offer is, that she was running on -schedule time appointed by the Post Office Department, and until -that schedule is altered the delay is likely to recur. With a proper -connexion, our line can deliver mails from San Francisco, into New -Orleans weekly, in less than sixteen days.</p> - -<p>Respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right">ROBERT G. RANKIN, <i>President</i>.</p> - -<p>Be pleased to observe, by extract from Commercial Advertiser, the -transmission of California news from California, by our route, in -fourteen days!</p> - -<p class="right">H. & M.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Pacific Mail Steamship Company</span>,</span><br /> -<i>New York, October 28, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: Having examined carefully the schedule proposed by -you for running on the route between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, so -as to connect at Acapulco with our steamers between Panama and San -Francisco, I beg leave to inform you that it meets our approval.</p> - -<p>When our company commenced to run weekly boats, the schedule -of the Texas was arranged to conform to the movements of those extra -boats. It happened, however, that the United States Mail Steamship -Company, although willing to perform extra service, and to let -that service speak for itself to Congress, was not willing to bind itself -as the government required, so as to shut out all prospect of extra -remuneration by a liberal legislature for extra duty; and, consequently, -the steamers, on intermediate weeks, on this side, were withdrawn. -The connexion being thus cut off, our company was obliged to discontinue -its weekly trips, after the schedule of the Vera Cruz and -Acapulco route had been arranged to conform to those trips.</p> - -<p>My understanding with Mr. Rankin is, that when the route is fairly -opened, we will run steamers in the Pacific in due connexion; and I -am prepared to assign this duty to two of our smaller first-class steamers -the moment I am justified in so doing. Until then, the merits of -the route can be tested by arranging a schedule to conform to the arrivals -at Acapulco, and, as far as possible, to the departures thence -for San Francisco of our steamers now running; and the interests of the -government and of the public unite in recommending such a course.</p> - -<p class="center">Very truly, yours,</p> - -<p class="right">WM. H. ASPINWALL, <i>President</i>.</p> - -<p>Messrs. <span class="smcap">Harris & Morgan</span>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_13"></a>[13]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>,</span><br /> -<i>November 3, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: In answer to your letter of the 26th ultimo, I have to -state that, at the request of Mr. Carmick, the contractor, the present -schedule of the New Orleans and Vera Cruz route was arranged to -connect with the contemplated route across from Vera Cruz to Acapulco, -which it was proposed to run in due connexion with an independent -line of steamers between Acapulco and San Francisco—thus, -with the route via Panama, giving a mail four times, instead of twice -a month, between the Atlantic States and California. It was not the -intention to connect at Acapulco with the steamers of the Panama line, -but, as above remarked, to establish an additional semi-monthly mail -to run, via Vera Cruz and Acapulco, alternately at regular intervals -with the line via Panama.</p> - -<p>This arrangement was made with my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, -with whom, as Postmaster General, also a conditional contract was -entered into for the part of the service between Vera Cruz and San -Francisco, which contract was to take effect <i>only from the time it should -be ratified by Congress</i>; nor was it to have any force or validity whatever -until it should receive the sanction of Congress by the passage of -an appropriation to carry it into effect. No such sanction has as yet -been given by Congress; but, apart from this, and without troubling -you with my views on the whole subject, it is simply necessary for me -to say that there can be no recognition by this department of any arrangement -by which the additional semi-monthly mail, clearly contemplated -by the then Postmaster General, can be dispensed with.</p> - -<p>The application, therefore, for a change of schedule on the route from -New Orleans to Vera Cruz, must now be considered without reference -to any trips it may be proposed to run in connexion therewith beyond. -The contract requires three trips a month; you propose but two, and -it is unnecessary for me to say that the number of trips stipulated for -in the contract will be required.</p> - -<p class="center">I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right">JAMES CAMPBELL.</p> - -<p class="hanging">Messrs. <span class="smcap">Harris & Morgan</span>,<br /> -<i>New Orleans, La.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Washington</span>, <i>November 12, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: It is with great reluctance that I encroach upon your -time at this particular season of your official duties; but what I have -to say can be read at your leisure, without much inconvenience.</p> - -<p>After my interview with you, yesterday, I was impressed with the -idea that you had received from some quarter erroneous and unfavorable -views in regard to this great national enterprise that I am so -deeply interested in. I trust, however, that you will not permit any -such influence to operate in your mind without affording us an opportunity -to be heard. I consider it a duty I owe you and your high -position to explain, in a frank and upright way, the true object we -have in view in regard to this project; it is to test the merits of this<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_14"></a>[14]</span> -route for a mail communication, the benefit of which will accrue to -the country, the government, and those engaged in perfecting it. We -have asked no remuneration from the government while pursuing this -enterprise, but have gone to work, at our own expense, and proved -the entire feasibility of this rapid communication, without the least -hope or expectation that the department should in any way be subjected, -either directly or indirectly, to an acknowledgment of responsibility -for future remuneration. We desire to establish a great -national highway from ocean to ocean, over a route in which there -is a saving of 1,800 miles, between New Orleans and San Francisco; -and the day is not far distant when all the present routes will only be -secondary to it. This opinion is based on reasonable grounds: first, -the saving of time; and, second, the beauty of the country, and the -salubrious climate over which the route passes. There is but one -opinion on this subject among all Californians. We have conceived -that, in offering to our government the facilities of a rapid mail -communication on so important a route, we have a right to expect -from that government a liberal encouragement, at least by an expression -favorable to an enterprise where so much energy and capital -is invested. Our project has been fully investigated by the late cabinet, -and, after their mature consideration, it was acted upon. The -contract was sustained by an appeal of one-half of the United States -Senate in a memorial to the department, and by the personal solicitation -of the representatives from the South and West; also, by a memorial -from the most influential citizens of Louisiana—the same being -now on file in the department. General Rusk, who framed the law -under which the contract was made, also urged the advantages of this -communication on the department; among others were Senators Gwin -and Soulé. This communication must depend entirely on its merits, -and by its advantages for the public welfare. If it cannot offer greater -inducements to the government than the present routes, it cannot expect -to succeed; but if it can be proved that this is the speediest -route, the law seems not to be violated while offering facilities on the -part of the government to test so important an object. We have, -however, proved beyond a doubt that the transit can be made from -sea to sea in from three to four days, and I hope you may offer us -your liberal co-operation, without involving in the least a compromise -of the public interest; it is no more than we have a right to expect -from the department. Governor Marcy, without looking into details, -has expressed to me similar views, and says that our communication -seems to hold out great national advantages, and he did not doubt but -that you would look on it in a proper light. I feel confident that -Congress will support any measure that can be proved of public utility -for the South and West; and this is a southwestern measure, without -any demands from the public treasury, to build steam-ships or railroads. -I know the feeling that existed last Congress on this subject, -and I feel confident that it will be supported by the South and West.</p> - -<p>I have spent several years of intense labor and a large amount of -money in bringing this enterprise to its present position. I have -passed through many deep and almost impenetrable barriers, and no -impediment shall stop the consummation of this great national work,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_15"></a>[15]</span> -save that of the hand of Providence. I am sustained by capital and -energy, and I know no fail where perseverance can do the work. My -future reputation and welfare is largely involved in the success of this -project, and I sincerely beg that you will form no premature opinion -on this subject against my interest. I do not, however, believe that -you would do so, without an honest conviction of your judgment; but -I do know that all enterprises must expect opposition from various -causes. Envy is no small feature to contend with; and we have had -to combat against it, solely upon the ground that we have not been -disposed to divide our interest with others. The late administration -was made aware of these facts, and they received with great caution -any information coming from doubtful sources.</p> - -<p>I most respectfully ask that you will give an order, permitting -me, as one of the contractors, to carry a mail over this route from -California, leaving it optional with persons to send by this way, and -to designate the same on the letter; and in giving such an order, I -wish you particularly to state that the department will in <i>no way be -bound for any future remuneration for the service</i>.</p> - -<p class="center">Very respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right">E. H. CARMICK.</p> - -<p>Hon. <span class="smcap">James Campbell</span>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Office of the Mexican Ocean Mail and Inland Co.</span>,</span><br /> -<i>November 23, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: In accordance with a request from Messrs. Ramsey and Carmick, -the contractors named in the contract hereinafter mentioned, I -have the honor of reporting to your department <i>the real character of -the relations this company sustains to the contract; the obstacles to the -non-fulfilment of it by a date as early as was anticipated; and a few remarks -explanatory of the route</i>.</p> - -<p>On the 15th day of February, 1853, a contract was made by the -United States government, acting by the Postmaster General, with -Albert C. Ramsey and Edward H. Carmick, of Pennsylvania, to carry -the United States mails between San Francisco and Vera Cruz, at certain -definite and specific periods mentioned in the schedule of the -contract, for the sum of $424,000 per year, for the period of four -years, with the privilege of extending it one year if the Post Office -Department thought proper. This contract was not of that liberal -form heretofore characteristic of all the other ocean mail contracts, -but was in a form of that specific and detailed character peculiar to -any short land service, where time might be insured to a minute. -The contract was, in fact, so stringent as to be incompatible with any -but an honest intention to fulfil its spirit and letter, in which spirit it -was, in fact, assumed by the parties associated in its performance. -This contract was printed and sent to the Senate at its last session, -and is now on its files. By the 5th section of the law of 1848 it is -illegal for contractors to assign their contracts; and although aware -that the department is not bound to recognise any but the contractors, -yet, frankness enforces the propriety of saying that, by specific covenants,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_16"></a>[16]</span> -this company have agreed with Messrs. Ramsey and Carmick -to fulfil all the conditions of the contract on their part, to be kept and -performed in relation to the land service between Vera Cruz and Acapulco, -and that similar covenants have been made with the Pacific -Mail Steamship Company (William H. Aspinwall, esq., president) -for the sea service between Acapulco and San Francisco. The contract -distinctly specified that its schedule time (and in fact the spirit -of the contract) was to the intent that it should form part and parcel -of the contract for the gulf service, being an extension of two of the -trips between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, made (under a specific -law, August 30, 1852) with Mr. Carmick, so as to form, in its own -language, “<i>one through-line in sixteen days between New Orleans and -San Francisco</i>.” The gulf contract is without any condition as to -an appropriation; but the larger or Pacific contract is made contingent -upon an appropriation by Congress for its approval. The question -might be gravely raised, in looking at one contract as an integral -part of the other, whether the appropriation by Congress of $70,000 -(a trifle more than it was bid for and taken by Mr. Carmick, viz: -$69,750) for the gulf service, was not an approval in terms of the -Pacific contract, and discharged the condition of approval contained in -it. But inasmuch as the parties associated in the enterprise have no -covert policy to pursue, and have not yet been able to carry the -mails in contract schedule time between Acapulco and San Francisco, -(although they have carried it repeatedly in six days, or two days less -than schedule time, between New Orleans and Acapulco,) they have -no disposition to raise issues or ask for unearned appropriations. They -presented their claims to the last administration on the sole integrity, -feasibility, and celerity of their route; the proposals for the service -were regularly advertised, and the contract awarded to the parties as -the lowest bidders, but not until the most critical, searching, and -minute examination was made of the practicability of the whole route. -The investigation was pursued by the late Postmaster General Hubbard -with a critical acumen that must have detected any imperfection. -The grants made to this company by the Mexican government, and -authenticated according to the highest forms known to the Mexican -laws, were not only critically examined, but verified at Washington -by the Mexican legation. These grants, instead of interfering with -treaty stipulations, will, if honestly developed, prove most conservative -elements in sustaining such stipulations by the promotion of commercial, -social, and domestic intercourse, and by the infusion of fraternal -comity in political and civil relations.</p> - -<p><i>The obstacles to the non-fulfilment of the Pacific service.</i>—As before -stated, the contractors, this company, and the Pacific Mail Steamship -Company, entered into mutual covenants, by which the latter company -obligated themselves to carry the mails between San Francisco and -Acapulco according to the contract and schedule time as therein set -forth by the department. At the date of the contract the Pacific Mail -Steamship Company were running a weekly line of steamers between -Panama and San Francisco, in the weeks intervening with their semi-monthly -mail; and the late administration intended, by this weekly -line and the Vera Cruz and Acapulco route, to send a weekly instead<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_17"></a>[17]</span> -of semi-monthly mail to San Francisco, and in sixteen days from New -Orleans instead of twenty-eight days (the average at that time of the -semi-monthly mails) from New York. The Pacific Mail Steamship -Company withdrew their weekly line, which of course prevented the -execution of the Pacific service in contract time until steamers could -be placed on the line between Acapulco and San Francisco, and which -this company are making arrangements to effect, not only in reference -to the line from New Orleans, but from New York, so as to carry passengers -in sixteen or eighteen days from New York to San Francisco. -In consequence, however, of the (early) non-performance of the Pacific -service in schedule time, it is understood that your department rescinded -the order made by the late Postmaster General Hubbard for -the postmasters at New Orleans, San Francisco, San Diego, Monterey, -and to forward letters by this route. The disappointment of the -contractors by the withdrawal of the weekly line was great and embarrassing, -and disordered the whole arrangements of this company; -and while we respectfully defer to the abstract correctness of the position -taken by the Post Office Department on account of it, we yet -hope that a great enterprise, so eminently calculated to benefit our -commerce, and one so earnestly demanded by our southern and western -citizens, as intimately connected with their interests, might have -a little further time to place itself right before Congress and the department.</p> - -<p>It is respectfully suggested, in this connexion, that the Gulf service -is punctually performed twice a month, and will be three times a -month as soon as the steamer “Vera Cruz,” now nearly ready, can -be finished; that the land-service, <i>as will be hereafter shown</i>, (see appendix,) -has been performed, carrying an independent mail in sixty -hours, (instead of one hundred and twenty hours, schedule time;) -that this company have not asked for any special favors from the department—no -advance on the appropriations—as other ocean mail -companies have done; that no pay is asked for until the service is performed, -and the money honestly and equitably earned; and that the -2d section of the law of March 3, 1851, is applicable to our case, viz: -that the Postmaster General by this law “<i>shall be bound to select the -speediest, safest, and most economical route</i>.”</p> - -<p>We deprecate a negation of the contract by the department until -further time is allowed us; and it is believed, in view of these facts -and the spirit of the law last referred to, that our enterprise may receive -an impartial consideration and presentation in your annual -report on the Post Office Department. An official condemnation, -emanating from the department under your administration, would be -a serious obstacle in the development of the Mexican grants. <i>It is -believed by many that the department had full power under the law to -make the contract without the intervention of Congress for its approval</i>; -but having been made with that contingency, it is now only asked -that this enterprise may go before Congress on its own merits and integrity. -A spirit of frank and honorable dealing renders it necessary -for the undersigned to say, that a difference exists among the associated -parties as to the real value and bearing of a government contract<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_18"></a>[18]</span> -on this enterprise, and this difference may have reached the ears -of the department.</p> - -<p>Some of the parties believe that a government contract nationalizes -the route, and gives it an importance superior to mere individual enterprise, -and that the imperative necessity of “<i>making time</i>” insures -more despatch. Others of the parties believe that a line of fast steamers -from New Orleans to Vera Cruz, for the increasing southern and -western travel from the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, -(composing the source of nearly seven-tenths of the whole resident -population of California out of the city of San Francisco,) and another -fast line of steamers from New York to Vera Cruz in six or seven -days, by steamers built expressly for mail and passenger service, (and -not naval service,) of about one thousand tons, in connexion with -similar steamers from Acapulco to San Francisco in six days, would -form a line that would take precedence of all others for celerity and -certainty. Experience has exploded the idea that the mail and naval -service can be performed by the same steamers, and an examination of -the steamers now in the employ of the United States and mail-service -department verifies the position that steamers suitable for a marine -battery are too slow for “mail-service,” and that the light and fast -steamer which can be propelled three hundred and fifty miles in -twenty-four hours is not suitable for a battery corresponding with her -tonnage or power adequate to such speed. They believe that such a line, -by this overland route, in sixteen, or eighteen, or twenty days, with -an independent mail, would seriously diminish the postage receipts -of the government, if not virtually supersede them, and render the -present mail contracts a sinecure in the hands of the parties holding -them. If offices should be opened in proper places for the receipt of -mail-matter by advertisements, and the company should enclose that -mail-matter in government-stamped envelopes, and guaranty the delivery -of the mail by this route in six, eight, or ten days earlier than -by the present government route, it is evident that the great bulk of -the mail-matter would go by the quickest route, even at double, triple, -or perhaps quadruple the present charge for postage. Such an independent -mail (<i>clearly within the law</i>) would, it is confidently believed, -measurably supersede the government mail, and reduce the postage -to a pittance. Moreover, such an independent line, not being trammeled -by government time, might connect with it English, West India, -Australian, and Asiatic mails, all of which are specifically allowed -by the several Mexican grants held by this company; and it is -believed that the time is not far distant when an English express independent -mail in forty-seven days, with Australia, will be in operation. -It is also thought by some, that this company should be entirely -disembarrassed in order to give an exclusive right to certain -foreign interests.</p> - -<p>Having frankly stated the difference of opinion on this subject -among the associates in this enterprise, it is proper to say that a route -nationalized by a public contract is the true official expression of the -company’s opinion, and the one which is now before the department. -In conclusion on this point, it is respectfully suggested that this route<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_19"></a>[19]</span> -is to be one of the great inter-oceanic routes of Atlantic, California, -and Asiatic travel; that this enterprise may be fully developed by the -present administration of our government without expense in its -initial operations, but mainly by a prudent forbearance and official -approbation, and by an order to carry such mail matter as our citizens -may choose to send by it.</p> - -<p>The enterprise is emphatically a southern and western one; although -originated by Pennsylvanians, yet its vitality is due to New Orleans -and southern influence, as the very numerous memorials on the files -of the department or Congress, and signed by southern and western -senators and members, will attest. The steamer Texas, which has -been performing the Gulf service during the last summer, has carried -a large amount of specie into New Orleans, (at the rate of one million -and a quarter per annum;) and soon as the specie and express wagons -of this company are fully at work, millions of dollars will flow into -the New Orleans mint from the gold placers and silver mines of -Mexico now being worked by American and Mexican combined -skill.</p> - -<p><i>Of the practicability of the route.</i>—The direct mail route runs from -Vera Cruz, by the way of Orizava, Cordova, Puebla, Matamoras, -Chietla, Mitapec, Kalcozotitlan, Chilapa, Tixtla, to Acapulco, with -branches from Puebla up to Mexico and via Cuernavaca.</p> - -<p>This road was called by Humboldt the “<i>Asiatic road</i>,” as indicative -of the maritime commerce of Spain; <i>and is the oldest road on the -continent of America</i>. This route is no new thing, as many suppose, -but the whole enterprise is but a recast of one developed long before -our country had its name or a place among the nations of the earth.</p> - -<p>Hundreds of millions of dollars have been received by the government -of Old Spain, transported over this road, in the interchange of -productions between the flotas of Spain and the galleons of the Indies, -and millions of American commerce are yet to be rolled over it in the -progress of American enterprise. The distance direct (as will be seen -by the annexed itinerary) from Vera Cruz to Acapulco is 404 miles, -and via the city of Mexico 517. Colonel Ramsey has since shortened -this distance to under 390 miles, and it will be reduced to less than -350.</p> - -<p>Over this road the materials and machinery for the vast coffee and -sugar plantations of Mexico have to be transported, and these plantations -for magnitude and productions are almost unequalled.</p> - -<p>From the fact that the current of foreign travel has been turned -towards the capital of Mexico, by the way of Jalapa and Perote, and -also from the further fact that the very <i>limited amount of American</i> -knowledge of Mexico is associated with the line of operations of the -American army during the late war, less is publicly or <i>correctly</i> known -of our lower, or more southern route, than of the upper or northern -route. The lower and shorter route presents the facilities of being -six hours shorter to Puebla, and of having lower grades, and a climate -unequalled for healthfulness, salubrity, and intertropical luxuriance -of productions.</p> - -<p>There are features about the roads of Mexico generally that distinguish -them from our northern roads; they are not muddy, having no<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_20"></a>[20]</span> -frosts to produce periodic deterioration; they are only slightly disturbed -during the rainy months of June, July, and August. The -rains during these rainy months are not continuous, all-day rains, -but fall in showers seldom longer than an hour, generally in the afternoons -and at night, and the intervals between these showers are unclouded -and salubrious. The whole geological formation of Mexico is -eccentric, and the soil generally composed of the debris of matter of -volcanic origin. Such materials form the best roads, and with an exemption -from frosts, dust, mud, and rain, except in the rainy seasons, -and with no fences to obstruct the facilities for turnpike, road-making, -and travelling, presented in this part of Mexico, are unequalled.</p> - -<p>It should be remembered that this company are not encumbered -with the necessity of enormous expenditures for making canals, building -railroads and plank-roads, to develop their resources; they have -only to expend under $50,000 to make one of the finest roads in the -finest climate of North America, to travel smoothly and pleasantly, -at the rate of seven and ten miles per hour, from the Atlantic to the -Pacific ocean.</p> - -<p>From the certificate of Mr. Blumenkron, (see Appendix A,) a gentleman -intimately acquainted with the whole route from personal observation, -it will be seen that the facilities for the transportation of -mails and passengers across the republic is the work of but little effort -and expense; and from the extracts of Colonel Ramsey’s letter, (see -Appendix B,) it will be seen what has actually been done. From these -statements—and they are daily corroborated by Americans and Mexicans -who have passed over the route—it appears that the mails have -been carried over (at the worst of all seasons, the rainy ones) in 50, -60, 70, 80, and 81 hours; that the letter of Mr. Tyler announces their -arrival at Acapulco in six days from New Orleans, and that the mail -time across may be reduced to 48 hours, and passenger time to 54.</p> - -<p>The difficulties, dangers, and expense of mail transportation over -this route are not comparable with the Panama route, as it formerly -was, or even as it now is, as to the 17 miles yet uncovered by railroad; -and this company confidently believe that they will be able to -carry the mails over this route for a sum 50 per cent. per mile less -than by the Panama route, and in a time under three days.</p> - -<p>The company have placed a portion of their rolling stock upon the -road, at present equal to the transportation of fifty passengers per -week from ocean to ocean. This rolling stock consists of the very best -built Albany and Troy post-coaches, Concord (New Hampshire) passenger, -baggage, express and specie wagons, and about 500 horses -and mules, (at the last report 493.)</p> - -<p>It is hoped the next advices from Colonel Ramsey will give information -that this rolling stock is in operation. It is intended to increase -the rolling stock with the increase of travel. The local travel -and business in Mexico will alone pay a large interest on the investment; -and were there no connexion with steamers on either side, and -as a mere stage route, the profits will be large, especially when that -portion of the route through the State of Guerrero is properly worked -and widened, and over a portion of the route the company hold the -exclusive right of passage, ferries, tolls, &c., for fifty years.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a>[21]</span></p> - -<p>This company apprehend no difficulty in transporting any mails on -account of the weight, inasmuch as the company will be prepared to -transport the English mails, between England and Australia, in under -47 days; and those mails, it is said, weigh 11 and 12 tons.</p> - -<p>The remarkable feature in this route is, that it passes through a -constant succession of cities, villages, ranches, &c., (few scarce ten -miles apart,) and through a population as dense as might have been -found on the old turnpike mail road from Albany to Buffalo before -the age of railroads, or on any of the great leading mail routes of New -York and Pennsylvania of a ratable distance; and the annexed itinerary, -taken from official Mexican documents, verifies the position.</p> - -<p>Fears have been expressed that robberies might endanger the mail, -passengers, or property. This difficulty has been wondrously magnified, -and is provided against, as the vehicles of this company are all -armed with blunderbusses and revolvers; and small, but strong, -light, iron boxes for specie, jewelry, and valuables, are securely attached -as fixtures in each coach. The material fact, however, on this -point is, that this line of route is seldom visited by robbers, owing to -the more peaceful, permanent, and dense character of the population, -and the consequent exposure to detection. General Santa Ana has, -moreover, made a decree that the inhabitants of each district shall be -responsible for the damages by such depredations.</p> - -<p>Much more might be said in relation to this route, but this memorial -has already become too long. Reiterating our former assertion, -that we only ask the opportunity of placing ourselves honorably before -Congress, on our own integrity, we hope that our enterprise may -receive such official sanction from the Post Office Department as -may be most compatible with the interests of the government and the -benefit of the community.</p> - -<p class="center">With great respect, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 5em;">ROBERT G. RANKIN,</span><br /> -<i>President M. O. M. & I. Co.</i></p> - -<p class="hanging">Hon. <span class="smcap">James Campbell</span>,<br /> -<i>Postmaster General</i>.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">APPENDIX A.</h2> - -</div> - -<p>I hereby certify that I am intimately acquainted with the road between -Vera Cruz and Puebla, and thence to Acapulco.</p> - -<p>Having been engaged in mercantile business at Puebla for the last -seven years, I am intimately acquainted with every mile of this road, -having, from the nature of my business, been compelled often to travel -over the whole route, and am therefore free to say that the whole distance -can be travelled in stage-coaches without any impediment—this -road being free from robbers—and will require only an expenditure of -from $25,000 to $30,000, to make it equal to any stage route in the -United States; and at this time, without the expenditure of even a -single dollar, the whole distance can be travelled in stage-coaches, -with the exception of about thirteen leagues, with the utmost facility<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_22"></a>[22]</span> -and expedition. The mail is now taken from Vera Cruz to Acapulco -in sixty hours, which time will be shortly reduced to fifty hours; and -this distance can be regularly travelled with the mail coaches in that -space of time the whole year round.</p> - -<p class="right">J. BLUMENKRON.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">City of New York</span>, <i>November 22, 1853</i>.</p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> - -<h2 class="nobreak">APPENDIX B.</h2> - -</div> - -<p><i>Extracts from letters received from Colonel Ramsey, in Mexico, of the -dates following.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">August 29, 1853.</span></p> - -<p>“I have received a letter from Mr. Markoe, an agent at Vera Cruz, -dated August 22, in which he says: ‘The Texas left this morning at -8 o’clock a. m. The express arrived last night at 8. It left Acapulco -on the 17th at 4 p. m.’ Mr. Tyler writes me: ‘The riders have done -nobly in getting through in the time they did, considering the state -of the roads, (in the height of the rainy season.)’ Mr. Denman, at Acapulco, -writes me from Acapulco, August 23: ‘Your express which -left Vera Cruz on the 17th instant at 4 p. m., arrived here on the 22d -at 4½ a. m.’”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">September 15, 1853.</span></p> - -<p>“I only returned last evening from a trip I have been making over -some distance of our route. The express mail is not working to my -entire satisfaction, as too much time (80 hours) is too long, and I am -anxious to improve this important service.”</p> - -<p>“By the time that the rains are over, all our animals will be in -prime condition—say by the 1st November—and then our agents assure -me they can easily make the distance under 60 hours. This season -has been unprecedented for heavy rains and bad roads. We have -now passed through the worst of it, making the experiment under -every possible disadvantage, and proving that we can always run from -port to port in 80 hours at the farthest.”</p> - -<p>“I have a letter from Señor Gernez, the Secretary of State of Guerrero, -dated the 7th instant, in which he says: ‘The courier left Acapulco -on the 4th instant, at 4 p. m., and arrived here, (Tixtla,) in -this city, on the 5th, at 2 o’clock p. m.’ Now, by looking at the -distance, you will perceive that it is over the worst part of the road, -and more than one hundred<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> miles, at the very worst season of the -year.”</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<div class="footnote"> -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> The distance has since been reduced.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">October 3, 1853.</span></p> - -<p>“I have been informed by the agent of the Pacific Mail Steamship -Company at Acapulco that the steamers will not hereafter touch at -that port. If this be the fact, it will be grave matter for the consideration<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_23"></a>[23]</span> -of our company. In that event, we will be cut off from receiving -or forwarding any California mails until we establish a connexion -of our own.”</p> - -<p>“The careful examination I have directed to be made recently of -the whole length of our route, has dispelled many of the obstacles -and difficulties which we had supposed would have to be encountered. -I always supposed that, as we became more familiar with the -route, and with the country on both sides of it, difficulties would -vanish.”</p> - -<p>“Our express mail has not only demonstrated the time in which -we can run over the route, but also the obstacles in the very worst -season of the very worst year.”</p> - -<p>“My last reports received of the time of the couriers from Vera -Cruz, on the 17th September, 4 p. m., were as follows: Arrived at -Puebla 4 p. m. on the 18th; arrived at Mitapec 11 a. m. on the 19th; -arrived at Draper 3½ p. m. on the 19th; arrived at Papagallos river -10 a. m. of the 20th; arrived at Acapulco at 6 p. m. of the 20th—the -whole time three days and two hours. At least four hours were lost -by the courier going through Chilpanzingo, which was out of the -way.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right">“<span class="smcap">October 15, 1853.</span></p> - -<p>“Since writing the above, I have thought it best to finish the subject -of the gold-placers on the Mescala river. The existence of these -mines have long been known. You will find them mentioned in my -notes on this valley, under the article on ‘Mines;’ but recently gold -has been found in such abundance as to cause a sensation; people rush -in crowds.</p> - -<p>“Since then other more extensive placers have been discovered on -the Papagallos river, in the line of our route. These have created a -still greater sensation, as you will see by the papers. My notes on -the mines are almost incredible; but it is gratifying to find every day -new confirmation of all that I described of the astonishing mineral -wealth of that country.</p> - -<p>“If I can leave the city in order to attend more closely to this express -line, I could soon convince you that eighty hours is slow travelling. -The last reports I sent you show an improvement on this, by -reducing the time to seventy hours. My orders will now, I trust, be -obeyed, as it is pretty evident I will take no excuses. I have now -ordered the mail to be carried in sixty hours, which is only a beginning. -If my orders are carried out, in six weeks time <i>I will have it -done in forty-eight hours, which will be at about seven miles per hour. -This is no great feat in such a country, in such a climate, and on such -roads.</i> Were the horses now in the proper condition, which they -would be, had they been properly fed and attended to, I could now -perform it in forty-eight hours. You remark, ‘the route being feasible -for an express mail under all the difficulties incident to such an -enterprise, why not feasible for heavy mails and passengers?’ To this -let me answer that the route, beyond all question, is feasible for heavy -mails, as much so as for light mails; we will gain vastly in time as -soon as we can put on our stages.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_24"></a>[24]</span></p> - -<p>“You must have been in mind that between Rincon and the crossing -of the Papagallos there are no mountains; and, to make the -road practicable for stages, it only requires some widening at the -most trifling expense. Our Concord wagons will suit admirably for -this purpose.</p> - -<p>“I am ashamed of our contract to carry the California mail to New -Orleans in sixteen days, when I know we can carry it even to New -York in a less number of days. It has actually placed us in a false -position, from which we ought to relieve ourselves by a practical -demonstration.</p> - -<p>“I regret extremely that the steamers have not joined us at the -ends of our route, so that we could demonstrate the few hours in -which we can make the distance across Mexico. All that I may report -to you—all the certificates of speed—will not satisfy the public; -they must have the letters and news from California. It is your affair -to require them to make the connexion.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Acapulco</span>, <i>September 23, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 16th -September. In reference to your metallic-boat, it is in good order, -excepting that the air-chambers have been cut open for the purpose -of stowing baggage.</p> - -<p>It is with much gratification that I received correspondence from -New Orleans in six days, by your last mail, which arrived here on the -20th instant at 7¼ o’clock p. m.; and I am now satisfied that, at -present, this route presents facilities for the most rapid mail communication -between California and the United States.</p> - -<p class="center">Yours, truly,</p> - -<p class="right">S. TYLER, <i>Agent</i>.</p> - -<p class="hanging"><span class="smcap">Albert C. Ramsey</span>, Esq.,<br /> -<i>Vice President and Agent, Mexico</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 6em;"><span class="smcap">Office P. M. S. S. Co.</span>,</span><br /> -<i>Acapulco, September 21, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: Your mail was received last night at 6 o’clock, bringing -dates from New Orleans to the 14th inst., which is very satisfactory, -being as yet, I think, the quickest time from the United States.</p> - -<p>The down boat from San Francisco I have advised you will not -touch, for which I am very sorry; but your mail matter will receive -quick despatch for San Francisco.</p> - -<p class="center">Yours, truly,</p> - -<p class="right">S. TYLER, <i>Agent</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Albert C. Ramsey</span>, Esq., <i>Mexico</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_25"></a>[25]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="center smaller">[From the Universal, September 19, 1853.]</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Improvements in the State of Puebla.</i></p> - -<p>The Eco del Comercio of Vera Cruz, in its number of the 14th inst., -(September, 1853,) has the following paragraphs:</p> - -<p>“The Prefectura of Matamoras, in the State of Puebla, have under -their charge the repairing of the road which connects that State with -the State of Guerrero, and the work has been under the direction of -Señor José Maria Pavon since last January, with 70 presidential soldiers, -afterwards increased 80, provided with plenty of tools, rations, -and clothes from the municipal funds. In the first three months of -that year, 15,000 yards of road were opened near Mitapec to the State -line of Guerrero; and to the last dates, the 31st July last, 3,563 yards -were repaired near Chietta; and near Tepeojiema, (S. Juan Espanthan,) -8,529 yards.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="center"><i>Order of the Mexican government to facilitate our mails.—General direction of mails.</i></p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Mexico</span>, <i>July 18, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p>In a supreme order of the 6th inst., which I received on the 16th, -his excellency the Minister of Hacienda (Treasury) writes to me as -follows:</p> - -<p>“His excellency the President is informed, by your official despatch -No. 95, dated the 22d of June last, of the improvements introduced -by Mr. Albert C. Ramsey in the line of steamers between Acapulco -and San Francisco, in California, and between New Orleans and Vera -Cruz, and in that of mails from that port to Acapulco, whose days of -arrival and departure are stated in the copy which accompanies yours; -and you ask to be authorized to publish the same. His excellency -has been pleased to accord this permission, which I communicate to -you in answer for that purpose. To the same effect, their excellencies -the governors of the States of Vera Cruz, Puebla, Mexico, and -Guerrero have been written to, to place no obstacle in the way of the -fixing the posts of Señor Ramsey, but, on the contrary, to afford every -facility in placing these very useful establishments.”</p> - -<p>I have the honor of transmitting this to you for your information, -and in answer to your communications of the 16th June last and the -12th inst., assuring you of my consideration and particular esteem.</p> - -<p>God and liberty.</p> - -<p class="right">P. M. ANAYA.</p> - -<p>To Mr. <span class="smcap">Albert C. Ramsey</span>.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_26"></a>[26]</span></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="center"><i>General direction of mails.</i></p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Mexico</span>, <i>July 18, 1853</i>.</p> - -<p>By virtue of the contract (by supreme approbation) made with Don -Alberte C. Ramsey, with this general direction, to transport through -the territory of the republic the mails coming from foreign places, -and going also to foreign ports, by means of the ocean line of steamers -between Vera Cruz and New Orleans, and between Acapulco and -San Francisco, in California, the said Mr. Ramsey has arranged the -trips of the said mails in the following manner:</p> - -<p><i>Line of steamers between Vera Cruz and New Orleans.</i>—Leave New -Orleans every month the 1st, 14th, and 25th; arrive at Vera Cruz -the 4th, 17th, and 28th. Leave Vera Cruz the 1st, 8th, and 22d; -arrive at New Orleans the 4th, 11th, and 25th.</p> - -<p><i>Line of steamers between Acapulco and San Francisco, connecting -with the express from Vera Cruz to Acapulco.</i>—Leave Vera Cruz every -month the 4th and 17th; arrive at Acapulco the 9th and 22d. Leave -Acapulco the 9th and 22d; arrive at San Francisco the 17th and 30th. -Leave San Francisco the 8th and 24th; arrive at Acapulco the 16th -and 1st. Leave Acapulco the 16th and 1st; arrive at Vera Cruz the -21st and 6th.</p> - -<p>All of which is, by supreme order, published for information.</p> - -<p class="right">P. M. ANAYA.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">New York</span>, <i>November 28, 1854</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: The undersigned would respectfully call your attention to -their contract of the 3d of March, 1852, with the department, for the -transportation of the United States mails between Vera Cruz, in -Mexico, and Acapulco, San Diego, Monterey, and San Francisco. By -this contract it was stipulated and intended to transport the mails -semi-monthly between New Orleans and San Francisco in sixteen -days, (consecutively,) and surety for a large amount was given for -the faithful performance of the service. By the terms of this contract -it was subject to the approval of Congress, and also to an appropriation -by the same.</p> - -<p>The undersigned immediately prepared to perform the service in -order to satisfy the requirements of the department, and also to save -their surety harmless from their heavy obligation. Steamers were -provided for the service on the Pacific ocean, and one of the undersigned -proceeded to Mexico to take charge of the line between Vera -Cruz and Acapulco. Horses, mules, harness, stages, wagons, and -other materiel, were rapidly collected to furnish all that was required -for the 384 miles of land conveyance across Mexico. At the same -time a small letter mail was established, which commenced operations -in July of the same year. By this method it was designed to -transmit, rapidly, intelligence between the Atlantic and Pacific cities -of the Union until the stages and other materiel, were properly -placed on the line. Under this temporary arrangement, newspapers -and letters were carried between California and New Orleans in fourteen,<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_27"></a>[27]</span> -thirteen, and twelve-and-a-half days. Had the arrangement -been completed for connecting with the steamers at Vera Cruz and -Acapulco, in no instance would the time have exceeded thirteen days, -as the distance by land across Mexico, from sea to sea, was performed -with great ease and security in less than three days. Frequent experiments -were made on parts of the Mexican road to test the time -required for the transportation of the mails when the stages were -placed on the route, and it was found that as soon as the mails were -transported in the vehicles prepared for that purpose, the time would -not exceed forty-eight consecutive hours between Vera Cruz and Acapulco.</p> - -<p>It was the intention of the undersigned to have commenced with the -mail stages in the month of December, as they were all ready prepared -and on the ground for that purpose. The expenses incurred -under the contract at that time, amounted to the sum of ninety-eight -thousand dollars, ($98,000,) of which $56,000 have been paid, and -the balance remains unliquidated. But the department having at -this time expressed, in an annual report to Congress, a disapprobation -of the contract on the ground of the impolicy of conditional contracts, -the undersigned ceased their operations, and, consequently, have sustained -serious damages from the action of the department. It is to -be regretted that the department should have interposed to break up -this enterprise, which, by the terms of the contract, was to be exclusively -in the power of Congress. It is also to be regretted that this -route, the shortest and best for the rapid transmission of the mails, -should thus remain unoccupied at the present time. The undersigned -are still ready and willing to perform the service in the time and mode -specified, and would further suggest that if they were not required to -touch at Monterey and San Diego, they would further stipulate to -carry the mails, at all times, so as to make each trip between San -Francisco and New Orleans in less than thirteen days. By the other -routes the time now required is some nine or ten days more. Thus -an important saving of time would be effected, and a corresponding -benefit to the public.</p> - -<p class="center">Very respectfully, your obedient servants,</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 1.5em;">ALBERT C. RAMSEY.</span><br /> -EDWARD H. CARMICK.</p> - -<p class="hanging">Hon. <span class="smcap">James Campbell</span>,<br /> -<i>Postmaster General</i>.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 2em;"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>,</span><br /> -<i>November 30, 1854</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: Your letter of the 28th instant has been received. -The conditional contract for service between San Francisco and -Vera Cruz, to which you refer, was executed on the 3d of March, -1853, just before I came into office. My attention was called to the -subject of Mr. Rankin’s letter of the 16th of June, 1853. In my -letter of the 9th July following, I gave my views at length in regard -to this contract; and if sums of money were expended by you after<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_28"></a>[28]</span> -that time, it was done with a full knowledge of my views, which remain -unchanged.</p> - -<p>I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right: 4em;">JAMES CAMPBELL,</span><br /> -<i>Postmaster General</i>.</p> - -<p class="hanging">Messrs. <span class="smcap">Ramsey & Carmick</span>,<br /> -<i>New York, N. Y.</i></p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">New York</span>, <i>December 20, 1854</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: Your letter of the 30th ultimo was duly received. In referring -to the contract between the department and ourselves, you say -that, on the 9th of July, 1853, you made known your disapproval of -the contract in a communication in answer to a letter from R. G. -Rankin; and if we have expended money after that time, on account -of the contract, we have done so with a full knowledge of your views.</p> - -<p>We were not informed, by your letter of the 9th of July, that you -had any intention of annulling our contract. We had completed all -our arrangements for stocking the road across Mexico prior to the -receipt of your letter; and, on account of the same, have expended -the sum of ninety-eight thousand dollars, ($98,000;) and our surety -for the faithful performance of the contract had been given, and we -were bound to be ready to carry the mails.</p> - -<p>Your letter certainly did not annul the contract; for then our sureties -would have been released from all responsibility on our account, -and we absolved from all reproach for the failure of the enterprise. -On the contrary, the department still considered the contract binding -upon us, as is apparent from the subsequent correspondence with -Messrs. Harris & Morgan. The steamers belonging to these gentlemen -were carrying the United States mail between that city and Vera -Cruz. They had addressed you on the subject of a change in the -days of departure from each port, so as to connect, by means of our -line across Mexico, with the Panama steamers, at Acapulco, running -to San Francisco; and thus supplying additional facilities for a more -rapid and frequent transmission of intelligence to and from California. -The advantage of this arrangement would have been immense to the -Atlantic and Pacific cities, without any inconvenience to the department, -and moreover without one dollar expense to it; of course, this -arrangement was intended to continue only until the appropriation -should be made under our contract, when steamers were to be placed -on the line between Acapulco and San Francisco.</p> - -<p>The wishes of Messrs. Harris & Morgan, as well as those of the -Pacific Mail Steamship Company, desiring this temporary change in -the schedule time between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, were fully -communicated in writing to the department. But in your letter to -Messrs. Harris & Morgan of the 3d of November, 1853, you refused -to accede to this request; predicating your refusal on our contract -made with your predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, for the transmission of a -semi-monthly California mail, in which it was not contemplated that -the mails sent from New Orleans, via Vera Cruz and Acapulco, should<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a>[29]</span> -go forward to California by the Panama steamers, but by another -line running only between Acapulco and San Francisco; and which -contract was awaiting the sanction of Congress. You add: “No such -sanction has yet been given by Congress; but apart from this, and -without troubling you with my views on the subject, it is simply -necessary for me to say, that there can be no recognition by the department -of any arrangement by which the additional semi-monthly -mail, clearly contemplated by the then Postmaster General, can be -dispensed with.” In this there is a positive recognition of our contract -or arrangement with Mr. Hubbard as still existing, which the -department would not “dispense with,” although it would, while our -appropriation was pending, have shortened the time some ten days to -and from California by connecting with the Panama steamers touching -at Acapulco.</p> - -<p>When the annual report of the Post Office Department, in December, -1853, was transmitted to Congress, we were led to believe, for -the first time, that you had decided virtually to annul our contract, -as the estimate for an appropriation under the contract was not sent -in by you, but another route for a semi-monthly mail was recommended. -You will thus perceive we were not apprized of the intentions -of the department until the close of the year 1853, when all our -expenses had been incurred, and when, in consequence of the official -report, our operations ceased.</p> - -<p>In conclusion, the department, by its action, having virtually annulled -the contract, and having assumed to do that which, by the -terms of the contract, was left to Congress, we therefore deem ourselves -grievously damaged, and have more than an equitable claim -for redress.</p> - -<p>Very respectfully, your obedient servants,</p> - -<p class="right">ALBERT C. RAMSEY.<br /> -<span style="margin-right: 2.5em;">E. H. CARMICK.</span></p> - -<p class="hanging">Hon. <span class="smcap">James Campbell</span>,<br /> -<i>Postmaster General</i>.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RAMSEY & CARMICK, CONTRACT. LETTER FROM THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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