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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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