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THi RSD.iI Y Moiunso, DIZC. 18,1823.
One of the most important propositions before
the legislature, which we have noticed, is the one !
to tax monied capital. It its proposed to tax ex
change and money brokers I*4 per cent on • very
bill drawn by them at sight, and I*B per cent on
e v ery bill drawn at 60 days or upwards.
It is also proposed to tax person 6 *, other than
brokers, who may discount or buy notes, or loan
money on interest, 31 14 per cent upon the value
of notes so discounted or mousy loaned.
There is a very general prejudice throughout
the country, against those who make a practice
of siiavhig notes; and this proposition seems to
partake of the spirit of that prejudice. Yet # we
do not think it will tend to restrain the business,
lessen the profits of the money lender, or benefit
the people. The practice of sharing, has resulted
from the many obst.acles which the law ha3 thrown
in the way of collecting small debts legally No
man in the country, now-a-days, pays a debt till
he is sued. And if A. has a small ciaim upon B.
he knows if he sues, B. can keep him out of his
money four months; and if at that time,it is paid
over to the magistrate, there is an even chance,
that the magistrate will apply it to his own pur.
poses. Creditors, therefore, frequently find it for
their interest to get their n >tes shaved, at 50 or
even 100 per cent, rather than be at the trouble
and risk of suing fir them. If it is for the inter
est of the community to restrain this kind of
speculation, let the collection of notes, in a legal
way, be made more speedy and easy, and it will
diminish as a matter of course. Any tax now im
posed upon him who shares the note, w ill, in effect,
come out of him who sells it. Because, he who
has the money in his hand will be certain of his
profits, or he will keep it there.
Washington Letters Extract from a Jacksoni
• an to the Editor of the Albany Argus, a Jackson
paper, dated Washington, Nov. 30.
“Mr. Adams. I am told, is glad that the contest
is over and decided, and appears reconciled to his
fate. On the 3d of March he will give a farewell
address —so sav his friends
-Mr. Clay seems in fair spirits. He is talked cf
b. a portion of his friends to till the vaca icy on
the bench of the Supreme court. Another por
tion of his friends will endeavor to dissuade him
fr -m it. They want him in the house of repre
sentatives.
“Mr. Adams has hired the elegant mansion of
co Porter, situated about one mile north of the
President’s house, and looking directly over it, to
which he intends to remove on the 4:h of March
next, inst ead of going t .• Quincy.
“fve.iiV'Ur, founded on doubtful probabilities,
savs that gen. Jackson will be at Philadelphia in
Januar, next, where he will remain until the Ist
of March.”
Another letter to the Philadelphia U. States
Gazette, dated Dec. 3, says
“John Randolph is daily in his chair. Ilis thin,
snllo v and indexible visage forcibly reminds me
of one of those mummies which*the s icreligious
cu .ositv of the antiquarian has dragged from their
dwelling of two or three thousand years; and
could a process be used for inflating the lungs of
a mummv. 1 suspect that it would discourse about
as audiufe and intelligent a language as, at this
moment, issues from the lips of the Roanoke ora
tor.”
Robbery of the Chambersburg Bank. —A Post
script. to the Chambersburg Gazette says, David
Slider, the v >ung man suspected of being con
cerned in breaking into the Hank, was arrested on
.Saturday last, returning to town, and lodged in
jail. A part of the counterfeit money taken from
the bank, was found concealed in one of his stock
ings He states he received it from John V Ben
iamin, who took the stage for Harrisburg, on the
morning the bank was broken. A reward of $59
is offered by the President of the bank, for the
apprehension of Benjamin.
On the 14th ult.(says the Providence American
of ihe sth inst.) there was a fall of snow in fcto
n ngton. Conn. For several days past we hare
had weather here that has made us forget that
winter has ascended his throne. The icicle mon
arch has as yet had scarce a diamond of ice or a
feather of snow 7 for his decorations.
finis. —Mr Alexander Clark of Falmouth, Cape
Cod, has invented a machine for carding hat bo
dies. It requires but half the labor of the ordi
nary mode, making two hat bodies at once, of an
even thickness, and partly hardening them. It has
beon in operation several months, to the satisfac
tion of the ingenious inventor. Several manufac
turers have used these hat bodies, and prefer them
to those cardvd by hand.
Washington, Dec. 9.
In dm Senate yesterday, Mr. Barnard of
Pennsylvania attended. A special Com
mittee on French Spoliations was chosen
by ballot. The Senate proceeded to the
choice of the Standing Committees by
bullet
in the House of Representatives the va
rious resolutions laid on the table on Fri
d>v containing calls on the Executive
Departments for information were severally
takm up and agreed to. A. number of
new res* lotions were offered by Mr. Gil
mer calling for various information on the
gubjeci of the Military Academy at West
Point. A resolution was efferred by Mr.
Allen of Massachusetts referring to the
Committee of Ways and Mentis the consid
eration of iho expediency of reducing the
duties on tea. Several resolutions were
laid on ihe table, calling for information in
rel.umn to the proceedings of Engineers
r nsj ! ycd on diff rent works. A message
was received from the President enclosing
a statement of works of Internal Jmpr >ve*
projected <r commenced as contained in
estimates furnished from the ollicts of the
Chief Engineer and the Quarter Master
General. Mr Chilton submitted a resolu
tion for the appointment of a Commission*
er in each state whose duly it should he to
make inquiry and submit annual reports as
to the internal condition of the several
States, with a view to regulate the appro*
ps unions for the benefit of the States; but
the resolution was promply rejected. — l\at.
Journal.
Attempted Murder. —The Boston Tra
veller states hat some audacious villain, on
Saturday night, went tn the house of Dr.
Pronk,D Pleasant street, and knocking at
ihe door, caused ihe doctor to appear at
the window, when a loaded musket or pis
te! was discharged at him, w hich fortunate*
ly missed its aim. A toward of one hun
dred dollars is o fib red for the discovery of
this wretch. ✓ i
From llio New-York Statesman. |
Internal improvement. —After agitating]
th question‘lor thirty years the state ol
X, w Jersey has *1 length engaged in goad
earnest in the useful project ol uniting by a
Canal the Delaware and Raritan Rivers
opening a direct internal communication
be?ween New York and Philadelphia.—
At the late session ol the Legislature the
following ResoluPon w ;s adopted :
Resolved by the council and general as
sembly of this slate that the governor i
requested during tho recess ol the legisla
ture to procure in such manner as he may
deem most expedient the entire amount of
touinge of all goods wares, merchandise, |
and produce which passes annually between
the citv of New York and ail ports and
places mi the Delaware river and bay, and
the average price per ton from Philadel
phia to Novv-York coastwise , and also be
tween said city and all por.ts and places on
and around the Chesepeake Bay ; with a
vit w of ascertaining as near as may be,
what would be the probable amount es
tonnage which would yearly pass through
a canal if constructed to connect the tide’
waters of the Delaware and Rafitan Al
so to ascertain and report to the house the
amount of tonnage of ill goods wares, mer
chandise and products, which have been
transported ou the Erie Canal in the state
of New-York during the present year and]
also the amount of tolls that have been paid j
for transportation <f the same.
In compliance with this resolution, Gov- j
ernor Williamson has promptly appointed
John N. Simpson Esq. an Agent to insti
tute the necessary inquiries and obtain all j
requisite information Judge Simpson has;
presented a memorial to the Common (
Council of this city and a committee of j
that body has been appointed to cohfer and :
co-operate with him in his agency. He .
met thp committee last evening and we are
gratified to learn that active measures will
be pursued to obt tin data of an authentic
and satisfactory nature. .%
The expense of the contemplated canal
no understand will not exceed one million
of dollars ; and there can be scarcely the
shadow of a doubt that the amount of tolis,
even at a moderate rate would render such j
a work a source of revenue to the State of]
New Jersey—a revenue too drawn in a
great degree from her sister republics, New-
York and Pennsylvania. It would there
fore be decidedly for the interests of the
state to construct the work on her account
which she is abundantly able to do.—But
should such an undertaking be declined by
the state authorities they doubtless leave
the useful enterprise to a private company
already posessing a charter. The requi
site funds could probably be raised in this
city in twenty four hours. Os the public
utility and importance of such a work we
entertain no doubt and trust the citizens of
New York will not be wanting in any act
of liberality which may favor the underta
kiog.
Lower Canada. From the initiatory
proceedings ot the Provincial parliament
of Lower Canada, there is a fair prospect
that the most perfect harmony wdl sub
sist between the executi/e and legisl i
five branches of the government, under the
a Innmstration of sir Jame Kempt. The
best, feeling pervades the’ answers of both
houses to the speech of the governor gen
era!, and we hope that these friendly indi
cations will not prove delusive. By the
message of his excellency to the house of
assembly, it appears that the estimated re
venue of that province placed by the law
at the disposal of the crown, amounts for
the current year to £38,400 —out of this,
the salaries f the governor and of • the
judges are to be paid. No further appro
priations are to he mad'e out ot this sunt,
until the sentiments of the assembly have
Been made known to Ins excellency. li.j
excellency recommends the enactment of
a law, binding over the receiver general
and sheriffs to pay to the commissary gen
eral the balance of public monies remain
ing in their bands, after their accounts have
been from time to time credited bv the com
petent authority. He also informs the as
sembly that the government has no desire
that parliament should inteifore in regulat*
irig the distribution between the provinces
of ihe duties ofeustoms collected at Quebec,
if the provincial legislatures can agree on a
plan which may seem to them convenient
and equitable. He calls the attention of
the house to the subject of tacit mortage,
executed before a notary, and to the neces
sity of providing f<r the registry of deeds.
New York Commercial Advertiser.
From the Boston Palladium.
The Plato. —The new ship Plato, for
Charleston, now ready for sea, is distinguish
ed among the excellent vessels built in tins
city and neighborhood, for model, material
and workmanship—and he. equipments are
of the most recent and perfect kind. Her
head is ornamented with a bust of the A
thenian philosopher and traveller, and her
stern is decorated with his figure at full
length, wiih books of his lectures and dia
logues. The elegant carved work is from
the chisel of the ingenious Mr Beecher
The ship is provided with patent trusses,
for the large yards, chain topsail sheets and
tits, navy blocks, and patent rudder, wheel
and windlass. The cabin is nearly finish
ed, and has many new and peculiar accom
modations. Her officers and seamen are
tteaily all natives of this state. Among
her crew there is but one foreigner. Her
10 or 12 seamen have been engage/I widi
, out bondsmen, and on agreement that no
spitits are to be given them—but in bad
weather they are to receive an extra al
lowance of small stores.
_
Melancholy Accident —Harriet Eliza
Peck, daughter of Mr. Wi 11s Peck, of N.
Haven, an interesting child of five years of
age, was so severely burnt by her clothes
taking fire at school, as to cause her death
in about four hours.
DYSPEPSIA. i
EXTRACT FROM A DIARY. i
April 3.— -Got up with increased stricture i
over m\ eyes, acute pain in the left breast;
sense of weariness ; thought it might be
want of food. Breakfasted on strong tea,
and dipt toast, and slices of bam. Had the
heart-burn shockingly ; very uneasy about
the breast ; thought I was going to be uiv j
wel! ; had a great mind to consult a pbysi- i
cian ; postpon'd it; never l/ked physic,
think it don’t agree with me Had a dis
agreeable lorenoon, business irksome.
Came home to dinner; took a little bit
ters. Dined upon fried *.sU % ragout veal,
| and boiled flour pudding ; avoided all veget
ables, but potatoes ; drank cider, and six
glasses of wine No fruit ; but felt miser- j
able nil the afternoon.
Thought I was low spirited, and that if
I kept my engagement* for the evening, I
-be better. Limited fljyself at supper, i
to some flue fat cheese new bread and
porter. Came home no better. Had a most
• estless night. All the imps of the lower
regions seemed to stare me in the face, the ]
moment 1 closed my eyes. Began to fear |
rhai I had got the dyspepsia, and if I have, 1
what a viliauous disease it is!
April 6. Got up feverish. Looked at
my tongue in tho glass ; found it badly
coat< -i Concluded to itve sparingly, and
change m; diet. Gave up tea, think it j
j hurts n y nerves. Drank a pint of c-ffue,;
j and eal two hot muffins with honey instead ;
of butte;; ike butter, but think-it don t
I agree with me Hear -burnt again I—l am
I surprised at tins! Took a pint ol soda
j water to arry it off ; felt very flatulent ; •
• pains about the region of the stomach, j
’ much mere \s and ; must be careful at dinner. :
! Very heavy and uncomfortable all the fore- ■
i noon ; out ol sorts 6 i:h mys< If, and every i
body els* . Di ed upon boiled pork, tur- !
nips and nee, drunk brandy .and water.— j
Heart-burnt again, surprising! Sharp, j
wandering pains all the afternoon. Drier \
mined to take adv.ee, but put it off ti'l to-j
morrow, because I must go to the fire club
tit is evening V* ent with a fixed resolution
not to eat or drink. Could not resist the
scolloped oysters aftd lobster. The tongue
] they sard was excellent; eat a few slices j
] with celery. Eat a few nuts and tigs;—j
[they were the finest I have seen]; and!
three sweet oranges, the only ones 1 have j
seen this season. Some of the songs were)
very good ; the wine passable; was aston
ished and grieved, to find, on rising, that I .
liatl taken at least a pint of brandy. Came ’
home very much oppressed ; felt shocking
ly ; seemed as if I should burst ; took a
pint of soda-water, dashed with gin and
went to bed. No sleep ; got up; walked
my f room ; rubbed mvstlf for an hour with
a crash towel; brought on a tree perspira>
Mon ; took a seat to rest; got asleep in my
chiir, and tumbled on the floor. Got into
bed again ; fell asleep, and dreamed Tom,
Paine’s bones were in bed with me ; awoke
in a horred frig lit ; kept obstinately awake
till day-light; got asleep and sleep till ten#
April 7.—Awoke mucti exhausted ; head
ache ; spirits dejected ; face pale ; tongue
foul. Got up and dressed myself in a hurry
for breakfast, which set my pulse all in w
flutter. Must take advice; but determined
to see what one day s careful living will do
Told my servant to watch me and to put
ihe like of every thing 1 ate and drank, and
the same quantities, into a milk-pan, that I
might se<* how it all looked together Told
him to begin with chocolate, crackers, and
herring. Heart hum came on again ! can’t
account for this ; lump of magnesia into my
stomach, and ne iron milk pan. Took
exercise on hors- back ; came back with my
stomach all in bioi! ; put a pint of soda wa
le; into it, end t pm! into tin milk pan.—
Had asm dpn-\ to dine; determined, to
-he careful. Eat boiled beef; one glass of
: oort after n ; baked fish, one pint of cider
j with it ; part of \ buck; little brand} and
water. F>• k ve y hale gravy sauce or
celery ; ate four crackers, and a whole pep
per, to promote digestion ; oiok two slices
hunter’s pudding; eat a few ruts, figs, and
only two oranges; a few sweetmeat*; about
a pint of madeira, one glass of champaign ;
two of curracc-a ; drank coffee, eat two’
pieces cracker toast, and a slice of pound
cake. Took snuff all trie time l was not j
eating, drinking, or smoking Equal quan- ;
tities of all these, except snuff and cigars,
into the milk pan. The company very
agreeable; sat late; fine glee; company
left me; felt shockingly oppressed; head
ached distressingly; felt as if two of us had
gone into my skin; flatulent, flush’d, and
hot and cold by turns; concluded to walk
over South Bosiou Bridge before going to
bed ; cold east wind !—soon turned back ;
dreadful oppression ; n ; ght mare; horrid
faces; short naps ; frightful dreams! heart
burnt; shooting pains all over me: and :
trembling in the stomach,and limbs. Afraid
I must have eaten something that did not
agree with me
April B.—Got up very unwell. Tongue :
very much furred; pulse beat irregular!,
shooting pains ; head confused ; sense of
| soreness in swallowing; felt a strange beat
| ing cf the heart; began to think I was go
i ing to be sick. Dressed myself with diffi
culty; eould not shave for trembing.—
Thought of diet for the day, and this made
me think of the milk pan. Told the ser
vant to bring it. Good heavens ! what a
S mess ; thought ihe servant had cracked a
joke upon me !—examined him sharply.—
lie protested he had been exact ; doubted
him Resolved to read Closselden to see
where the stomach is siiuated, and how
much it would hold. Resolved to read
Fourcroy, to see how heat opera!es upon
mixtures ; but concluded to see for myself;
and therefore put the milk pan over a slow
fire, about equal to natural warmth ; watch
ed the changes; was horror struck at the
proces ; uneasiness of pains increased mo
mently ; and soon felt much indisposed
concluded to skip Chesselden and Furcroy,
and send immediately for doctor. He came;
show’d him mv milk pan. Fold him my
servant said I had just the same quantities
of ihe same things in my stomach !—Doc
tor said he had no doubt of it!—Told the
doctor I was afraid I had dyspepsia,
and asked him if he thought, /"roin the spe
cimen of ibe milk pan, that 1 have lived
properly, for one suffering under that
abominable disease.
American Enterprise. —A Cooper resi
ding in or near Newburyport, Massachu
setts less than two years ago started an cx-
I periment that but for its success might have
branded him a madman. With the small
means in his control he procured a little
Pink stern or chebacco boat of about 35
tons, such as is used in the Mackarel fishe
ry and with an experienced mate and a
good crew proceded to the Falkland
Islands in pursuit of skins which yielded
i about SBOOO in the market. Encouraged
I by this success he fitted out bis Pink stern
in a more ample manner and in a few
; months started on another sealing voyage,
J with the determination of taking the skins
lie eliould collect directly to London where
: ihoy command a better pi ice than tliev do
;in this country. The English have alrea
dy been astonished at the splendid speci
’ mens of naval architecture which we have
■sent to their pons especially the superb
packet ships from New York and Boston ;
and Europe has been compelled to concede
the admission that the youngest nation is
foremost in the building of ships. With
j what astonishment will the [gapers on the
i Loudon Quay ("who have just been visiting
the American ship Dover, for instance) be
struck on seeing a little Pink stern of 35
tons entering the Dock with a cargo of seal
skins and learning that this little shagbaik
hails from the U S. and lias actually por
j formed her voyage round Cape Horn ?
And ypt *f we ate not greatly mistaken in
, the persei vance of .he Newburyport Coop
jer be will give the Londoners an opportu
nity of witnessing this instance of Anaeri
] can enterprise — R. I. Am.
From the Rahway (N. J.) Advoca e.
Remarkable case of sudden death • —A
youtig man by the name oi Edward Wat
kins, living with Mr. Lemuel Stearns of
this place, in the character of a laborer,
, was, on Wednesday last, assisting in putting
up a small building, when he accidentally
j wounded his hand, a( the bottom of the ball
of the thumb, neai the Wrist of the left arm,
by a rusty nail, which penetrated about
3-Bths of an inch, and tore up the skin
about half the size of a sixpenny piece; the
wound pained him immediately, but he con
tinued work for an hour afterwards, when
he was called to dinner; he sat in u chair
by th‘3 fire, refusing to eat dinner with the
family, in consequence, as lie said, of the
pain in his hand and arm having become
excrutiating, and extending to his breast;
Mrs. Stearns bound up his hand and kept
it wet with camphorated spirits—the fatui •
ly finished their dinner, and Mr. Stearns
went out to his work, leaving Watkins by
the fire, complaining of his hand, arm and
breast; in about twenty minutes afterwards,
someone of the females who were iii the
kitchen, and who bad not been out *ince
Watkins sat there, observed that he must
be asleep, and suggested to move him back
lost he might fall in the fire—when on mov
ing the chair on v hich he sat Watkins im
mediately fell over on the hearth, on his
face, was instantly rolled over ou his back
and found to be dead.
He is supposed to be a native of Nova
Scotia ; his mother’s maiden name was Ma
ry Jackson, who died when he was very
young—fie has no recollection of his father,
and ha> no relatives, any where knowu to
hint.
A few days ago, a distressing accident
occurred to a child of Mr. John Baines, on
Foie Fl a in this county, the particulars of
which we learn are as follows:—W hilst
B lines was absent from the house a shot!
distance, rhe fire communicated to the
child’s clothing, and before its mother, who
was alarmed by its screams, could get to I lie
house, all ns clothes were burnt off, its skin
burnt literally into a blister, the hair.of its
head singed bare, and its ears and nose burnt
into a ciispif The child was about 3 yeais
old, and survived but 8 or 10 hours.
Selma {Ala ) Courier , 27th ult.
The circular brick tower erected bv the
Phoenix Company for making shot, at the
corner of Front and Pitt streets, has reach
ed the intended elevatiou, being 234 fee* 3
inches high from the pavement. Its dia
meter at the bottom is 40 feet, and at the
top twenty. The stone foundation wall is
10 feet thick at the bottom and 6 at the
top. The brick work, which commences
at the surface, is five feet and a half thick,
of which thickness it continues for the
height of nearly 50 feet, when it diminishes
4 inches in every story, being 20 inches
thick at the top of the parapet. 3 feet in
height, which crowns the summit. This
huge structure, which is an excellent piece
of brick work, was commenced on the 2d
of June, and finished on the 25th of Nov.
and was built without scaffolding. The
parapet at the top is white, and somewhat
resembles in its appearance a mural crown;
end as the tower is well proportioned, the
whole edifice is. an ornamental in
the prospect of the city —Balt. American.
Cobbett on Early Education. — “I have
just now put my French Grammar iuto the
hands of my youngest son who is 14 vears
and a half old, that being about the age tlntf
I think it best for boys to begin to read
books; and as to girls they will begin to
read soon enough, if you suffer any books
to be in the house. I have no notion of
setting little creatures down to pore over
printed letters, before it is possible for them
to understand any reason which you give
for any thing. The first thing, in my mind,
is to do yout best to cause them to have
healthy bodies; then, as soon as they can
reason, they will have sound minds, “learn
any thing you put before them, and they
wiil, in a trice, overtake the little masters
that have been perched upon a form from
three years old to fourteen.
i j Death of Mr. If heaton/-
learn by an extract ol H ‘\ ro £f>*h {
Topi iff, of Boston, to the editors ]""!
York Gazette, that the b, i„ |> (| | X.
Cobb, an ived at tht p or ? c j-\
last from Copenhagen, lu in.jino ,i tfl *
ol Henry Wheaton, esq. Amiuic, n;!! >
at the court of Denmark. Tin->
of his death are not stated. ] t * ;Cl, ‘ i|
been a consolatory circumstance’
family accompanied him abroad * q E*
a native of Rhode Island, w|,i,|, er 7 ***
mains will probably be taken f OI j
In the death of this gentleman,
has lost an accomplished sch<|. Cf / Ult? *7
estimable citizen. It is believe] 11
discharged the duties of his short
with credit to himself and to the
tisfaclion of the government. ,e h.
New York Statesman, Gt i ftst
From the National Journal.
Documents Accompanying the PrcsiS
Message. *
FROM TIIK POST OFFIC* DEPARTMev
Post Ojficc Department j
17.11 Nov 1628. j
. The Post Master General has the h
to submit to the Presideut of the
the following statement, showing t!ie , rni ] ]
increase and present condition of tlVp .
Office Department :
Years. Post Ofires. Revenue. Miles of p,
In i 792 1! >5 $67,444 V,£ *•
1797 554 213,998 ifiJS
1802 1,114 327.045 f j
1807 1,843 478,763 gft*
1812 2010 049,208
1817 3,459 1,0*2,973 g>S
1823 e’gJy 1 ;4,453 1,114,344 go’-
1823 7,051 1,558,134
The above exhibit shows an augment*,,,
of annual revenue within five years p n <,
Ist July, 1828, <*fs4S3,79o } a sum
t>y $18,654 a similar increase for ekvj
years preceding 1823, md falling shortly
$165,419, of being equal m the total re.
venue of the department in 1812.
Within the same time there has been
established 2,153 additional post eft] t .<.
being a greater number than was in
tion in U e United States in the year 1815,
From the nmst accurate calculation that
can be made for the year ending Ist ’uly
1823, the mail was transported in stagel
four million four hundred and eighty-nine
thousand seven hundred and forty fr, ur
miles; and on horseback, five million five
hundred and eleven thousand four hundred
and ninety six miles ; making a total traos
portatiou of ten millions oue hundred thou,
sand two hundred and forty miles annually.
Since that period there has been added 4
transportation of one million nine hpdred
and forty nine thousand eight hundred aid
fifty miles annually in stages ; and on horse,
back one million six hundred and fifty eight
thousand nine hundred and forty uine miles;
making an increase of three millions six
hundred and eight thousand eight hundred
and forty nine miles, which add two Imn*
dred and seventy five thousrnd and fifiy
three miles more than one third to the mail
establishment of the country in 1823. And
the augmented stage conveyance fall shod
only two hundred and ninety five thousatid
and twenty two miles of being equal toons
half of the entire stage transportation in
the Union ttihat time This exteusioouf
the mail has been accompanied by greU
increase of expedition on almost all the im
portant routes. On many of them it u
now conveyed at the rate of one hundred
miles a day
As congress at their ! ast session declined
making any appropriation of the surplus
funds of the department, wiih the expicia*
tion, as was believed, that they should be
applied in diffusing mail facilities through
out the Union, and increasing them where
required by the publ.c interests, an au?*
mentation to the'conveyance ot ihe mail of
five hundred and thirty seven thousand two
hundred and sixty four miles in stages, and
two hundred and sixty one thousand seven
hundred and four miles on horseback; mak
iug a total of seven hundred and ninny
eight thousand nine bundled and sixty miles,
has been made tire past year This, with
the additional compensation to pos! masters,
arising from increased receipts, the accu
mulation of free letters, for which twv
each are paid, and incidental expenses,
added to the expenditures of the depart*
ment, within the yc?ar, the sum of
094,46. The augmented revenue ol tbi
department since Ist July, 1823, has beet
sufficient to meet the annual expense ui 1
curred by ihe increase of mail facilities, aid
leaves the sum of $ 187,362,52 unexpended*
It is believed *o be good policy to keep
the funds of ihe department actively e ‘ !l
ploved in extending its operations
reasonable wants of ever} community ß " 8
be supplied. By withdrawing mailaccfi 11 ’
modations from unpi oductive routes, ai
substituting a horse for a stage transport*’
tion on many others, ti very large stir; ! s
of funds would annually accumulate;
the pubftc convenience would be great;
lessened, and the means of information w>tl *
held from districts of country but
inhabited. There is no branch of die IN
vermnent in whose operation the p^ u P 1
feel a more lively interest than in tli" so u
this department; its facilities felt * n
various tiansactions of business, in tneP
sures of correspondence, and the g elitr .
diffusion of information. In the course
every year, no inconsiderable amourt
active capital of the country, in sonic
or o’her, passes through the mail*
connect important places by lreqiicnt *
of intercourse, continue speed with a
security possible, and extend the ®
where ever it may be. wanted, c °o sn
the object which have influenced lh e P°
of the department. f|
It may be advantageous to the
and the department, at some luture
for it to become the insurer f‘ ,r (0
transmitted in the mail, being author*
charge a higher rate of postage ,u j
cases, to indemnify for the risk niC .jj ( y
To guard against frauds, ibis
must necessarily he limited to packet*
ed at tho ptiucipal offices, uiniti