The New York Herald Newspaper, December 8, 1852, Page 6

AMERICAN POSTAL AFFAIRS. Anaual Report of the Postmaster General for 1852. Post Orrice Derantunnt, Deo 4, 1852. Bir—In discharge duty devolving on me, I have the honor to report that the whole number of post offices im the United States, at the close of the fiseal yearended June 36, 1852, was 20.901. The number of postmasters appointed durirg that year was 6.255; of these, 3 726 were appolated to fill vacancies occasioned by resignations; 256 to fill vacarcies occasioned by death; 246 om changing the altes of offices; 3(9 on the removal of prior incum- bemts; and 1,719 om the establishment of new offices. ‘There were 1719 post offices established, and 614 discon- tinued during the year. From the ena of the fiscal year to November 1, 1862, 526 post offices have been established, and 236 discon- timed, so that the whole number im operation atthe latter date was 21,191 At its close there were in opera- ‘tion im the United States 6,711 mail routes, their aggre- gate length being 214,284 miles, and employing 5,206 con- tractors. The annual transportation of the mails on these routes was 55,985,728 miles, at an apnual cost of $8,999,071, being about 67-10 cents per mile; of these 58,986,728 miles of annual traneportation, 11,082,768 miles ‘were required to be performed upon railroads. at a cost of $1,276,620, being about 1234 cents per mile; 6,353,409 miles in steamboats, at a cost of $505,815, being about 8 cemts per mile; 20 608,930 miles in coaches. at a cost of $1,126,986, being about 5+ cents per mile: and 20 850 621 miles im modes not specitiej, at e cost of $1,029.50, being about 4 9-10 cents per mile. ‘The inland service, when compared with such service at the close of the preceding year, as stated im the last | ‘nnual report from this department, shows an increase of 17,904 miles in the length of mail routes; of 6 713 476 im the wiles of annual transportation; and of $518 217 tu | the ammual cost of transportation. Of such imcresse of transport at the railroad service amounts to 2 $14,061 wiles, at am increased cost of $290,501. being an increase of sbout twenty-nine per cené both im the service aud in its aggregate cost;; the steamboat service to 898 427 miles, at an increased cost of $50,923, being an increase of about sixteen and a half per cent im service, and elevem per cent im cost; the coach service to 972342 tiles, at an imeressed cost of $31,827, being an incrasse of about five per cent in service, and eight per cent in the aggregate cost, and in modes of service not =secified £0 1,828,646 miles, at an increased oost of $94 967, being * imcrease of about seven per cent in service and ten * cent in cost. : Compared with the transportation and its cost, at the of the fiscal year ended June 30, 1862, it shows that ‘} railroad and steamboat service had increased in the | years 18,011,915 miles, at an increased cost of | *) 154, being about 294 per cent increase in service, s MT4 per cent in cost; the coach service 1.931.894 | + at a deotensed cost of $571,524, being about ten per | inorease in service, and thirty three and ome third nt deerease in cost; the service in modes not ape | {- 4, 9 205,028 miles, at an increased cost of $292,045, | bei. about seventy nine per cent increase in service, | ex orty per cent in cost, Tt msy be proper in this connection to remark that the ¢-vual increase of coach serviee performed is greater, and Lat of service performed on horseback, and in other mucdes not specified, is lees than the above stated, for the reason that, since the aet of 1845. much coach service is perfcrmed under contracts not specifically requiring that grade of service, but only that the mails be carried with due “celerity, certainty, and security.” The ser- vice umder such contracts is now reported as in modes not specified, although coach service is performed under them for a large portion of, or the entire year. ‘There were in operation om the 30th day of June last, vix foreign mail routes, of the ¢stimated aggregate length ‘of 18,349 miles—the number of miles of annual trans- portation thereon is estimated at 652,406. The service om three of these routes is under contract with this depart ment, the annual transportation thereon is estimated at | 200,592 miles, at a cost of $400,000. being about $1 99 per | qile. The cervice on the other three routes is under | pontract with the Navy Department. The annual trans- tion thereon is estimated at 453 934 miles. at an an- | ual cost of $1,496,250 (including the additional com voted to the Ovilins line st the Inst session of ) being about $3 26 per mile. The annual cost of conveying the mails across the Isthmus of Panama is uncertain as it cepends on their yeight—the cost for the last year, at 22 cents per pound, the price paid, was $48.039 “It is estimated that fora ‘arge portion of the contents of these mails, (being pri €d matter.) the amount received in post under the Act of August Slst. 1552, does not exceed five centam pound, in payment of the whole transportation from the point of wailing to thet of delivery. As that Act did not go inte effect until the 30th of September last, no relisble ee imate can now be mede of the increased cost of mail fervice actors thy Isthmue under its opsration. but there oan be no doubt that uch increase will be Lary ‘The temporary arrangement for this service, which ‘went into effect On the firet of Davember last, with the Panama Esijroad Company, is still in force, and is fonal to be # great improvement on the previous arrangement, though not yet entirely satis‘uctory. The completion of the railroad is looked forward to as the remedy for most of the existing delays and defects im the rervice between New York and San Franci-co Under the general head of “Transportation of the Mails”? is chargeable the compe nration of route and local agents ‘avd mail mesrengers. The smount payable on this ac count, at the close of the last fiscal year, was $196,933 per annum The extent and apnual cost of the entire mail service ‘under the control of this department at the clos of the fiscal year ended on the 30th of June last as well a division among the States and Territor and the mo: of ite performance requitwd by the them existing eo tracts, will mere fully appear by the annexed table, far- misbed by the recond Assistant Postwaster- General, and marked A As the railroad service is daily becoming more impor- tant aad expenrive. table showing the extent and wal cost of that service in each of the States. as in opera tion on the 30th dey of June. in each year from 1848 to 1852 inclusive, has been prepared, and is hereto annexed, parked B. Our ocean steamer ecrvice commenced in Jane, 1847, Ite great apd rapid increase is rhown by the following Setar statement Of ite cost for each focal year. as follows:— The cost of this rervice for 1848 was. $7100.500 “ “ 1849. 474,710 “« & 1850 T2L.570 “ « 1851 1.023 ‘ 0 180k 1.896.250 ‘The gross receipts of the Department for the year ended June GUth, 1852, were $6,025,071 28, derived from the fol- lowing sources viz:— Letter portage, including foreign postage and stamps sold.. $4 226 792 90 Dortages on newspapers, perioticals, &a 789,216 36 | Fines, other than those impored on comwao- Be Big eg tet 27 50 | Receipts om account of excess of emo) ments of portmexters seesee 88.478 96 Damages collected from failing coutractors. 5.213 30 Receipts on account of dead letters. 8.265 12 Receipts from letter carriert........ 104,355 92 Btempe in bands of postmasters 30th June, Teh being euch as remained of the old | issue, and which were charged to them on that day 8849 61 Miecellancous receipts. . 3.207 69 | frem appropriation authorized by twelfth | section of act of 3d March. 1847, viz:— | From 3d March, 1547, te 30th Jum 1862, esers . eevee 1,065,565 55 From 01 ork th ection of act of March. 1861 653 883 69 From appropriation for * cemeu . | thorized a the seventeenth section of | act of 25d May, 1850... 12,000 00 Total.......+. Paes see cses cose $6,925,071 28 | From this ount must be deducted the ‘amount payable to the British post office, under the portal convention of December, | 1848 as now estimated, from statement of the enditer....... . 101,988 59 The receipts from portages, American and foretgn for ‘the last fiscal year, were lees by $1,388 334 43 than for the Preceding fiscal year res decrease of about 22 per | cent. Lf the estimated neces accruing to the Sritish Poet Office for each year are excluded for the purpose of Bbowing the decrease of our own portages that decrease ‘will amount to $1,451 696 54. or abowt 224 pereent This diminwtion inour postegcs is attributable to the reduction In the rates of postage made by the act of March 3. 1851, which reduction took effect at the commensement of the fireal year. This diminution of revenue is somewhat er tham was anticipated in thir department at the fine the act went into effect. and much greater than was expected by ithe senguine advocates of cheap. postage. many of whom sought tbe establishment of still lower Fates. Although the act referred to has not in its operation urine <he isst year fulfilled the predictions of its friends %7 increasing the correepoaderes of the country in pro- Portion to its reduction of postage, I shoul? nevertheless question the expediency of a return to higher rates All experience warrravts the expectation that as the eom munity becomes accustomed to cheap postage written correspondence will increase. From this cause d from the rapid growth of the country in popula tion end business. ihe re te of the depsrcment must ultimately exceed its exprnees, and enable it to re 8 advanced. Im the mean m the Treasury in sid extabli-hment, may be deemed safe weneficent imvestments for the advantsge of the shole wople, each one of whom, if not engaged in basiasss hase deep interest in the diffu ion of in ‘and the promo fon of social intercourse the ®#h section of the act of 3ist August. 1857, the rodmaster General is authorized to provide and far ich to ell postmssters, and other persons applying aud : efor, letter envelopes, with one Or more post. pb thereon, to be ured in prepay. + ‘stampe Theee envelopes are now im course of Su tao will r000 be for vale at the priacipal pow. cfices, As letters ‘enclosed in them may be lvgally reat | press other private convayanoe. vi Preanahe My fe br farther violations w in that respect That the experiment of cheap | may be fairty tried it is ian ete tha’ med | or ts own agents, to whom the | power to sen-ch for and ee!z: such Unpaid. | Paid. Compensation to Pecteaesters .. Extra compensation to do. under act of March 8. 1851. Advertising ... Mail begs. Bier Mail dt prodations and epee! 1 offices (offices of postinasters), Pudlishing Post office laws and regea- Postage stamps redeemed Stomps of old issue returned to the de- Official letters reovived by postmasters. Payments to letter carriers. Miscellaneous payments... 456 594 84 41.046 12 9 106,355 92 152,561 00 Total.....cceseeecsereseececeee cose $7108 459 G4 The new contracts for the middle section, made under | to the embracing the Stata of the letting in February last. Maryland, Delaware. Pennsylvania, and Ohio the annual transportation in thoze States. fro: day of July Int, 810,959 miler. at an incren cost of $148 705 over the transportation and the contraets, which expized on the 30th da: increased m the first sed annual cost, under y of Juae, 1852. being an increase of about three per cent in service and 213, per cent in annual eost. mated as follows :— ‘The annual cos: of transportation, foreign and inland, as authorized and under con- tract at Ube close of the last fiscal year... Additional cost in middle rection, under new bor which went into effect July 1, Increased cost of transportation. under order of the Posimaeter General for the improve- ment and extension of mail service and the increassd expedition of the maila Probable cost of putting into operat ir the residue of the fiscal year, such new routes, established during the last session of Congress, as should be put in operation before the first of July mex ..........008 Expenses, under the heads of compensation * to postmarters, wrapping paper. niture, asvertising, mail bags, bi locks snd keys, stamps, mail depredations and special ‘agents, clerks for offices of portmmasters. and miscellaneous items, being the expenses of lact year, aud 121; per cent added. such expenses necessarily in- creasing with the extension of mail eer- vice and the increase in the number of post offices, and in the quantity of mail Tostter transported........ Probable cost of postage stamps velopes.. tm precemt fiscal y. which wit :— 1st. The available balance at the credit of the revenues of the department on the Ist of July last, stated by the auditor te be.. 2nd. Receipts from postage, foreign and in- land, deducting estimated balances due to 3rd. Annual appropriation made by 12 sect. of the aet of Sd Marob, 1847, in compensa- tion for mail service perfermed for the various departments of the government... 4th Annual appropriation made by 8th sect. of the act of 3d March. 1851, in further psyment and compensation for mail ser- vice performed for the two houses of Con- gress and the other departments and offices of government in the transportation Of tree MAtier.......66 see. eee se eeee Sth Contingent appropriation made by 9th sect. of act of $d March, 1851. amount ef e: (he expenditures for the present fiscal year are esti- $4,584,918 143 705 93 584 98 650,600 ao ++ 8243 541 22 25,000" TIT 20 ent for the + $6,661,158 26 | 200,608 60 509,000 60 508,009 00 estimated agaregat ‘penses for the current year. leaves a deficit 1848. 1819. 1850, 151, 1552. 4,325,800 4,083,976 4,109,981%6, 451,932 6,353,409 $202,019 $278,650 $313,943 $544 992 $505,515 4,327,400 4,861,177 6,524,593 8,563,707 11,082,768 $554,192 $635,740 $918,227 985,099 $1 275,520 | Total... ..$846211 $914,390 $1 182,170 $1 439,911 $1,731,395 | By the third section of the act approved August 31, 1862 making nny greys for the service of this dapart- ment. it is provided that che salaries of all route agents be inore: to $1 000 per annum. |. The effrot of this provision is to give the same compen | gation to each one@of these agents, without refersace to the amount of service reudered by them respectively. and it takes trom the Postmaster General the power of adjusting their pay according te the labor and reaponsi~ bility the service performed by them It operates | unequally. and with tbe present amount of railrosd set vice. bas ivoreased the cost of transporting the mails, more than $50.000 I reapectfally recommend ths repesl | of this provision. and, that the Postmaster General be | authorized to graduate these salaries acoording to the service performed The contractor on the route from Salt Lake City to Sacraments, in Califorvis, never having performed effi cient servioo on that route. this department has eatered | into au arrangement with another contractor. who binds himeelf not only to perform ths service a4 originally ro- quired. but also to establish and matata\ fortifivd post, cr station a; Corson’s Valley, which will. it is expeoted, ivcreace the security of the mails, and afford protection umerons emigrant trains on their jouraey to Californ' Since the last snnual report from this Departmont the Coliims line of steamers has continued rvics be Ween New York and Liverpoo}, according to an arrangement then existing Ly which #eekly trips in American sceam- ere were secured b-tween the two countries. ., The ships of this live have preserved their early repu- ‘tation for unrivailed speed and seaworthiness Choir de- partures have beem puvctaal and they bave porfsraed their voyages with great regularity. The company nas kept a spare ship im port ready to replace any one which might be temporarily dirabled or withdrawn ‘or repairs, and bas in other respects manifested a disposition to perform the service ina creditable manner. By the act of Angust iat, 1852, this department was authorized to meke an arrangement with the Ovean | | Bteam Navigation Company for one additional trip on the | Hevre lige, avd one additional trip om the Bremen line ‘until the expiration of theic existing contrast, and also in its dercretion to negotiate for the hinge of the | Havre live from Havre to Antwerp. Owing, as is stated by the proprietors of these lines, to the foatequaey ofthe | renumerstion recived for their present mervice they are | Unwilling to extend it either by increasing the number of their trips or adding to the length of tacir voyages | They complain that white the Collins tine recsives $33,000 atrip. the Havre line receives only $12,500, and the Bre- | men line only $16 666 for service, in the latter cxe more | arduous in its pature and over a longer route that such remuneratioa may bs given them as will jus- They ask | tify their ipcreasing the number of their ships. and thus | enable them not only to meet the requirements of the servioe, by Gracey 3 the terminus of their roate from | Havre to Antwerp, but, also, to perform such additional trips as may be desired As atlinducement for this increase of pay they show that in addition to their having performed their mail fervice as efliciently as could be expected with the lim- ited means sliowed them. the exports from Genosay to this country have inereaced sipoe they commenced run- Bing from 3.000.000 to 10,000 (00 dollars, that the num. | | | allowance is mad>. ber or emigrants is increasing and the gross sum which | P ar, it has, under existing laws. resources they at present bring to this country amounts to t in estimated will produce the foliowing sums, to | $15 0CC QU0 annually |” It wee for thia objeot, for the purpose of extending our intercourse and incres-ing our mercantile relations with Germany the, this line was established. The revults | $506,632 57 | have equalled the expectations of {ta friends, and it now | remaiza for Congress to decide whether the necessery aid eball be extended and the object realized; or whether we shall abandon tc the Englith the profits of our in- | creasing trace with the advantages that flow from it. | . Semi monthly ocean rervice. as last reported from this department was continued between New York and Coli- | fornia and Oregon until July last when under authority | | of provision ccntained im ‘the Naval Appropriation Act | of Merch 8. 1851. the running ef the mail steamers on | | the New York. Havans, New Orleans and Chagres lines, | was re arrapged eo as to afford a more direct despatch of the mails. to and from the Pacific. This service is now divided into three distinct lines, | Yis:—From New York avd New Orleans to Aspiowall, | both direct and from New York by Havens to New Or- | leans, This change is made with the asent of the 4ecre- tary of the Navy on the appliostion of the contractors, responsible tor any additiooal expanse involved in it. ‘The former srrangement may be restored at the desire of $1 827,986 88, to be provided for by direct appropria- | of either party on oue month’s notice | tion from the treasury. A further and larger appropriation will probably be ne- cessary to meet the deficiency im the revenuect the fiscal annual report of the Postmaster General, remained urex- year commencing on the dret of July next. An estimate of this deficiency, and of that of the current fiscal year, as bere ret forth, will be submitted to Congress. York and in progress at the date of the las time to commen Masch lart. r increased expedition on the gr. w Orleans which were iwual report from this | department, were brevght to a favorable conclusion in he improved service on the first of By this arravgement. the time req ie it d tor the regular transportation of the mail from New York to New Orleans was reduced twenty. four hours, New Orleavs to New York thirty-eight hours. al traina were co arranged on dilferent parts of as to render failures of connection less freq shorten the delay from twenty-four to twel end from Addition- the route uent. aad ive hours im ceses where the connection Was unavoidably broken Certainty snd cerlerity on this liae cannot be while the service on am iwportant link im th: routes composing it is performed in stsame relied on 2 eliain of ts. on the stormy snd unsheltered cout between Wilmington snd Charlerton ‘The completion of the Wilmington and Mauchester I ail- road, during the next year will. it is believed, enable the department to avo:d this uncertaim portion of the pre- rent line. The servics between New York and Washington. though defective and unsatisfactory. partment to improve thia serviee ave beer P tion on the part of the cowpanies ranning betw delphia and New York The by whieh this depdtime ciberwise facilitate the *ransportatien of the tween Warhington and New York, it i much improved by the arrangements roferred to. is stiil he endeavors of this de- rendered tive bya want of unity among the reilroad com- ies interes‘ed in the line, and a spirit of accom oda een Phila. being no competing lines or modes of conreyanse can recurs connections and mails be- comoriled to ac cept such mcependent service ac each company #n the Tine wil cousent to render, and is thus wade powerless to enforce (be demands of the pubtic. T would reepectially suggest that if Congress, in the exercise of its power over the establishment of post roads, can retuedy this evil, the | postage of twenty. four cents «n ounce, sul ject is worchy the early at en A new compilation of laws rel and of amended regulations adopted for en: for the guidance Of tis officers and the conduc: joa of that do dy. to this department, jog theme of the bu siness wasin course of preparation at the date of the lest eppusl report from this deparcment It bas siace bern perfected and published. by my predecessor. and dia- tribotd to the reveral postmasters, and copies seat to the members of both Houses of Cong ress. It appenrs from the report of the Auditor partment—hereto annexed—that the whole amou: posteges inland, sca and foreign, om letter mails ble matter, received and eont by the sever United States mail steamers, during the iast firca! wes ax follows, viz > By New York and Bre Southampton, Englan B ew York and Havre line, touching at By Charleston and Pavan lin ‘The postal arrangements with Cana line, touching at and bi deen found convenient and useful ‘The ancunt of portage on letters sent from States to Canada was :— veces $31,034 66 . Pa On letters received Unpaid. Paid. «$25.77 08 22.144 60 of this de. her 8 of year, nd Solline line New York and Liverpool.... $228 467 61 77,219 87 80 804 03 11 958 99 ad New Bruus- | wick have been in succesful operation during the yeor, | aed the United $55,741 97 $47,521 63 | ‘The convention between this department amd the post | office depar'ment of Prussia, which. at the date of the Inst ecuted hes aince been concluded. and went into operation in October last. This convention provides for a closed mail to be despatched in esch direction between the Uni- ted States and Prus:ia, regularly twice a week, via Lon den and Ortend Ne# York and Bos*on are the offices of exebange on the part of the United States, aud Aix Ia Chapelle is the corresponding office of exchange on the part o: Prussia. By this convention, a uniform postage rate of thirty cents rre payment of which is optional in either country, is established for all letters not exceeding half an ouuce in weight betweem the two countries six cents is the rate esteblished for each newspaper to be prepad This convention also provides for the transmission of 1sils, got only through Germany. but also through the United States to countries beyond. and has inducud this depart- ment to Giecntinue the clored mailto Bremen It 68 ed ‘hat the countries ineiudieg the German Austrian tal Union whieh are thus brought ivto postal com- munication with the United States, embrace a population of reventy millions. As a hecessary consequence of onr convention with Pruvsfa, the larger part of the continental correspoa- dence which formesly went by the way of Bremea, ts aow sent vin London, Ortend, and Aix la Chapelle, the Int er being the moreexpeditions route The mails for Bremen, however. and such a8 may be addreveed, via Bremen. to other an states and countries beyond. will contiaue to be derpatched monthly by the New York aod Bremen line. ‘A project of & postal convention between the United States and Belgium, has prepared aod submitted by this department for approvel to the Belgian govern- ment and it is confidently exproted that that in ths courre of a few months, at fartbest an arrangement which sbali bemtually ad rantageous, will bs duly sanc- toned and pnt in operation. Our portal convention with Great ‘T has not yet been to modified as to of the excbawxe of a closed mail with France via Eoglend ; ths British government, with reference to exch mai), etill insisting ou « transit France bas mamfested 4 disposition for improved mail facilities with this country. aud nas made proposals for ® postul treaty with the United Sta'es. to operate inde. pendently of our treaty with Great Brita'n pegotia ions on this subject bave progrewe}, Iam not at present prepared to etace. It is hoped. bowever. that they may be conducted to @ favorable iseue at am early dxy. Copnec'ed with this project France propores. in conjuvetion with the United States, to esrabifsh a union a wail steamehipe direct between New York and iarre Under our postal treaty with Great Britein, attitional erticies bave been agreed vpow and are resdy for signa- ture, providing for a regular wil Dyemsut between the Uvited Stares and the West Ladies generali7 d points on tbe const of Mexico and northern coast of South America. at which the Bricid) muil peckets touch To the Britvic Weat ludies, the United States singts rate of letter powtege, which wust be prepsid on letters sent frem. end collected Om letters reorived in the United Btates, will be tem cents where the distance from tke meiling ¢flice is under two thoa-and five hundred miles, twenty centa when the distance excreds two thousand five hundred miles To the Weet [nd+s—not Briti-h—Mexico, and South Americe, by this channel, the British postege of twenty-four centa the single rate. )Blso required to be prepaid must be added to the ten or | auces may be made them. are unable to determine how $7,417,790 88 | and with the understanding that the government is not | How far the | | bir service | of pestages ope twenty orn’s United States sate, acocrding to distance as | above efleot without delay. Tp accordance with the wishes of the Hawatian govorn- | ment. arrangements have been made by which letters for the Sandwich Islands are deapatehed in nealed packets by The amount of postage collected on letters seat from | each mail stesmer from New York and conveyed through the United States to New Brunswick, wi | Unpaid....... oe + $2366 3 Paid.. 7 4,778 TL On letters received :— ii Unpaid. + $1784 07 Paid.. 1,898 49 $5,135 09 $3677 $7 Congress having, by the second section of an act, ap | provea Slat Augert. 1852, authorized the Postmaster | Generol. upon certain conditions to enter into contract for the tianrportation of the mail by steamers plying be tween Boston and Halifex; « postal arrangement is now in prcevss of completion with the province of Nova Scotia, by which the postage om this route will be the seme as is now paid by the way of New Brnaswick In pursuance of the requirements of an act Avgust 30th, 1852, advertisements have beom for proporals for mail service. by ofan steamer: New Orieans and Vera Craz, via Tampico approved published 8. between embracing also (for the perpose of obtaining information ) an ex: tension of + Frane'seo There proporals are to be opemed, cirion made on such portions of them ae by ‘aid act. (that ta, for service from New Oruz,) on the $4 of Japuary next, The @ will. of courre await the invermation is obtained, as to the remainder of By the eleventh section of an ac’ Bist. 1852, provieion is made for daily mail suitable and eafe steamers between Lonie St. Louis and Cairo, Cairo and Memphis. and New Orleans leat proved Augusl he service to Acapul» std thence to San |, and a de- uthortzed to Vera ep artment irections of Coagress, afer the the route. service by Memphis It is deemed important. not only to the cities enumera- ted, and to the intermediate places oa the ri vers to. be covered by this service but due to the grew’ and inoreas- ing Wert that these lines should be so estabile! ly to reoure the object contemplated, to wit hed ws fal & certain, regular. safe and reliable dei y service upon those several routes The relative position of the western our Union. ite present importance aud ness alike demend that its peonie shoul the Toa ror pect be provide portal facilities that the Departmems can supply. omplish thisit bes sought information from various section of | tive grea’ with sources as to the requiremente of the service and will soon advertice for such as will, it is bolleved fally oarry | into effeet the intention of the Act, aod moet the just de tuwnds of that interesting sectt With the Iset annuol rei publiebed interesting tabular statements of the incrense of its buriness at the reveral periods of from 179 to 1886 inclusive, and for each year to 1851 inclusive ‘The extent and cost of steamhow xtent and five years, from 1840 1 of railroad wervign were not separately givem in thove statements. nor have they been #0 contained in any publisued report from the Department prior to 1848 Since that time. however in the a*nusl exhibit from the contract office. of the mail eervice in operation at the close of each fiscal ye: kinds of service have been separated. The crease of both kinds. in extent and cost, striki trates the steady and rapid growth of our conatry. ar, the two anoual in- agty i, eubmit the following statement of ths extent and cos! of ind Cairo, | | to Henelulu wisbout being opencd |. On all letters and ne vapapers for these islands howe- ver a8 well ax to China. by this route. it is required that the United States postage to Sun Francisco be pre- i Pe he act of March 3. 1851. "to reduce and modify the | rates of postage in che United States, aad for other pur. poses” authorised the Postmaster: | creased commissions to Porimnsters been increased and their commissions reduced by the cperation of that act : The maximum allowance thus authorized was 20 per cevt acdid te the amounts of commissions received for the firoal pear erded Jove 30 1851 In the exercise of the authority thus granted the late | This arrangement, it js expected will go into | and the rates of commission to ate Aupitor’s Orrice P.O D., Nov 19,1852. Sin—It ie foundin practice that the acts of Congress respecting the ailowance of additional comm! to postmartera are extremely inconvemieat and barden some to this office. The sixth seotion of the act entitled “dm aot to reduce and modify the rates of postage.” &c , approved March 3d 1851. provides:*Chat to any post mesier w commissions may be reduced below the amount slowed at bis offfoe for the year ending the 30th of June, 1851. and whose labors may be increased, the Postmaster General sbell be authorized in his discretion to vllow such sdditionalt commissions as he may deem just end proper; provided that the whole amount of com- missions silowed such portmaster during auy fircal year tball pot exceed by more than 20 per cemtum the amount of commissions at such office for the year ending the 30th day of June. 1851.” d the ninth sectiom of the act, entitled ‘An set to establirb certain post roads, and fer other purposes,” ap- proved August 31st. 1862. provides “Chat the Auditor of the Treasury tor the Post Office Department. may, und-r such regule'loms and restrictions as the Postmaster (e- neral fhull preecribe. allow to every postmaster whose office was not established until after the ist day of July, 3800. or whove commirsions, im consequence of the-in- crease of labor and business of his office, sball ha equalled or exceeded the commissions allowed at anid of- fice fer the year ending on the 30th day of June. 1851, such compensation. in addition to his iegal commissions, as will. in the judgment of such Auditor, make the com: penration of euch yee, emis equal, #8 nesr as may be. to the ccmpt peation of other posimasters, in the same sec. v of the coun'ry, whore labors are the same as his. and who are entitled tgadgitional aliowamce nnder the rixth rection of the act entitled “am act to redues and modify the races of postege im tne United state 4 for other purpores.”” approved Marel $d 1861, and under orders of the Postmaster General made in pursuance of the provi- tions of the eaid rixth section of the act aforesaid ? master to sdditionul compensation un- Laws, it, must satistactorl’y appear That by their enactment apd operstion the isbors of his ot- fioe bave beem increased. and that his commissions have been reduced below the amount allowed for the fcoal year that ended onthe 30th of June, 1851; or secondly, that his “office was not established umtil after the lst dey of July. 1860. &e, If theve facta are sufficiently shown, ade itional commission, at different rates, is, accordivg to the present practice allowed. as follows:-- 1 Where the commissions of the pos year ending June 30th 1861, did not exceed $50, the same amount of commissions wiftch was allowed for that y with 20 per cent added thereto, lowed him %. Where they exceed $50, but did mot exceed $100, the same amount, with 1b per cont sdded thereto, is al- jowed. K 8 Where they exceeded $100, but not $500, the same emount. with 1234 per cent added thereto, is allowed. 4. Where they exceeded $600. the same umount, with existing law, 10 ser cent adced thereto. is allewed; but the commis | tions silowed to any postmaster (other than at a distri- Duting office) are not permitted to exceed the postages collected at bis office during the period for which the 5. Where the office was not establiched until sfver the lst day of July. 155@-&c.. such compensation in addition to bis legal commirsions is allowed the postmaster as will make his compensation equal us near as may be to the compen aticn of other postmasters in the same section of the country Keo. Ghese various contingencies and conditions cannot be deigemined, until the accounts for an entire tecal ear | sreadjusted. Commirsions are. therefore. computed by postmasters in their quarterly aceoun’s, mally accord. | ing to the eld rates of allorance; and the adjustment of additional commirsions has become, as it were, a reparate superadced to the adjustment of quarterly accounts, and is devolved ‘lusively upon this offic First. it auaits end adjusts the quarterly accounts some 20.000 postmaster, and then, as the additional cem- | mirsions are dependent for their allowance upon no uni- | ferm rule operating equally and applicable alike to all postmasters, but upon the facts of each perticular case, | it has, at the end of a fiscal dine to re exemine those 20.(00 acsounts, to ree which of them are entitled, aud in | what proportions, to raid additional commissions Post- mastere, ceanwhile, not knowing what additional aliow- much they owe the cepartment at the end of each quar- ter ano at the close of the year, Their accounts and the office accounts nec+sserily disagree, and, by consequeace, | master for the | some pay too much others not enough and others, again, excuse themrelvex from any .payment. Furthermore, there disagr ements produce confusion and perplexity in | settlements, retard collections. aud require. in explaua- tion and removsl of the diffiealties they create, a cor- | respondenee beyond the ability of the office to just | with requisite premptneas; snd, although the ‘moss | s'remuous exertions ere made, with so insufiicient force, to meet and respond to the additional demands thus | Wade upon the office postmasters complain, and with appayent reason. that thair ivtters are not duly answered. | nother evi) is, that the additional labor thus throwm | upon the office has interrupted and retarded its current | AG general purin:ws, to a degree that calis for immediate | | relief, sud I base no hesitation in saying that it is im- preciicable 10 continue ‘o adjust commissions in tbe mayply with thelaw The the adoption of the | Nd kyBte m Of UNiform rates of per centage upon the pro- ce-ds of cfices, depencing ou no condition of discretion; acd } would respec! tuily suggest the following, as a scala of rates that rhouid be sdopted and tried, viz | Say. for gn office coliecting postages to the amount of | $5. 000— $50 00 120 00 666 66 100. 50 percent commission of © & goon sayy « (G00, 1235 i 76 00 —— 911 66 | . $49 00 | 100 00 600 00 » 750 — 315 00 The present rates are 9a follaws:— On $100 at commission. Difference .....- seneee . «$96 66 Lako think that a postmaster should be enti toa email c mpcosation sxy to the amount of two mills, (or atout 24; cents per quarter for a weekly paper.) for de- liverirg from his cffice to subsciider, each mewspaper pov bow cbargable with postoge | I have the honcr to be. very reepectfelly, sir, your obedient fervent, J W. #ARRELLY. Auditor. 8. Vesimaster General b , Lthink, be called to | the faet tbat although the sixth and seventh sections of the Act cf Sd March. 1851- before referred to— provide that prither the ccwwpepration of post-masters. nor the ordinary ¢xt+nsivm of mal ervice should be dimini hed im consequence of any diminution ef the revenuvs i@- sulting from hat Act vo provision was made for the protection of the tights erd interests of # jarge olass of | perecrsempioyad a4 coptractors om, pesisl routes. and 45 weil Mmercengers Whose com pensation depends upon the smcunt reccived from port ges at the vflicus cupplied ‘by them ‘bere are not lees thaa two thou and five hundred per- fons employed in carrying Uke tow l for the net proceeds Of the cfices supplied. limited however. in every case to 6 ceriain com equal ‘otha: paid for similar service on | pudlic routes in the seme sec'lon cn a few of there special routes the amonnt col'ected is more than rvfiiciemt to psy the contractor, aud con- | siderable balances remained to be applied to (he ordinary expevses of tbe department, bat ona Ierge portion of them the amevnt received uuder the old rates of portage, was inenfficient te pay the compens Upow tbe clw s ef contract © reduction 4 with great bardebip. and every ad- | ditioval allowance to the postmaster has still fartoer di- | wivisbed thy fud, whieh alone cam be applied to the payment of the cox tractor. On the twenty fifth of March last the Sonate adopted | & reccluticn by whtch the Po: tmaster. General was re- | quesied to embody in bis next anuual report avswers to | Bumerour question embraced in the resolution, rsiating | to the business of thts department and ite receipts and | expendirures under various enumerated heads, for the | General to slow in- | whore Inbors had | Postmaster General ireurd ao order on the 204 of Oero- | | ber 1661. allowing mnereased comumi siors to ali Postmas ters entitled thereto, varying from 10 to 20 per cent ao- cording to the grors receipts of their offices. Chis order applied to the settiemect of the accourts for the fiscal year. 1862, and reserved the rate of allowance to be made thereafier. for future consideration after the accoun’s | Of the firet three quarters of that your should have been adju:ted by the audi‘or.”? When the reeult of this adjustment was reported to | him. the late Postmaster Gemeral tereed the following or- | INCREASED GOMMINGIONE TO PONTMAST ERA. Post Orrice Dev The Postmaster General. being satistied that the labors of Postmasters have been 60 increased with the imeroas- | der which is now in force ang a | ing businees of the country, and by the operations of the | United Stetes and for other purposes.” approved March | 3d. 1861. that the highest additional aliow ‘of com, | miasions suthcrised by the sixth section of that act oll pot efford them more the | for ruch increased labors. it in Ordered. that (with the restrictions and limitations herrivatior mentioned) the Auditor of the Treasury for the Post Office Departm: nt in settling the accounts of Pos'marters for the fivoal year ending 40th Jone, 1863, | end for esch evceeeaing year until otherwixe ordered, eball. upon ratirfactory pr of baing furnisned him by afligavit or otberwien, that the labors of any Postanaster have been inerrared end bit commis-tons reduced as pros idea for by raid art allow and oradit such Posiumaster the same amount ef commision: allowed at bis office tor the fives! year ended the 80th June 1861. with twenty par oent therecn added thereto. Provided, however that | the ocmmiseione to owed wt ny Post office (other than a distributing office) shall not exceed the portaues collveted at such ¢fflce during ‘be period for which euca allowance fe mede; oud provided furtacr that there | Patt not be allowed at any office where be cou | tron of the Poxtmartor is by |a¥ imited to w fixed aanaal | salery OF compenration ateater eum than shall be required to pay euch salary os Som penengion and the wal and meoorsary «expenses of bir offen wes N HALL. Postmaster General It will be perceived that this order makes it necessary, | tn the settioment of exch Portmaster's quarterly account Teasonable compensation | aot ‘to reduce and modity the rates of postage in the | fireul year ending 30th June, 1852 | Much ct the information rought by these questions could not be furniehed in the form desired frum the we- | counts ordinarily entered by poetmasters. nor from the books of the auditor's office. im which the accounts of thir department are kept Neither could it be furnished with pertect ecouracy ior the whof® year, in aay other mode than by prescribing to postmasters, before the commencement of the year. @ sew form of accounts to te kept for thir object in addition to thoce wow re. quired 'rom them: and as nearly three months of the y Wee obviourly imposible to overcome this difficulty. Derirous however to comply as far as possible with the reqnest of the Senate the late Postmu-ter-General re- 1 bad elopsrd betore the passage of the resolution. it | ferred *he resolution to the Auditor for this depar'ment | smmediately op ita receipt. avd desicad him to adopt such meant a rewsined in his power for collecting the | nforwation called for By ccrrespondence with postmasters at the principal offices, and from the scoounta returrd to his office for set thm: nt. the Auditor has made (in cases when parfest | acevrwey cou'd not be obtained) excimates. which aro | deemed Tel'able. and has thus been emadled to furnish fa the annexed report, answers ty most of the questions re- ferred to The whole number of paid and unpaid letters which have pesred through the post offices of the United States, Goring the last fircal year. was 9 790 624. Gt thore parting 10 and from places in the Usited Stater. exclusive of California and Oregon, there wore— Unpaid... 32 072,765, Paid by w 18. 444,510 Paid by stamps 81 807750 | 4,491,847 10 372 1.405 637 2635 009 Do do Pai oes 416001 Nomber of newapspers and other packages) gr 7 of printed gable with peed bh a dt Nomber of sane Rerspepee Pitney 7073 648 Newspapers circulated free within the coun ‘ior @bere published ertiweted ......... } 20,000,000 Number of letters conveyed by— i Cunard Hine of European steamers, 2.768.098 Coline Hine 0 ; brewen line do, a. Havre line do, . do. Amount cf poste ces collected from Coline wnd Cunard Mae8. oe. cece reece ue O} which was collected in the US, $463,615 93 Do ¢0, in Great Brivain 315 824 60 Nomber of deed letters returned to (Groat Beitain 124518 Of wbich 21 5t0 were paid. aod 12,959 vo Amount dve the United States thereon fh Nuwber of dead letters rvo'd from Gt Britain, Of which 9800 were paid, and 24 445 unpaid, Amount due Grest Byitatn thercou...... Namber of dead letters returned to Bremei Number of dead Me ters received from Brom In bis iset @annal report, my predecessor in offle rug: $704 440 68 13,841 92 38 606 action in the matter when the attention of that body shall be dirceted to it 1 think it proper to state im connection with this sub- ject, that pbs to injudicious comstruction of the chim- peys in the post o: building the department has been subjected to great expense in fruitless attempts to e several rooms without the diffasion of gas and . Lreepectfully euggest that it would wot only con- duce greatly co the relief and comfert of the officers in the building, to have it warmed by means of hot water or steam pipes; but that this method would, also it is be- Meved. prove much less expensive than the preatnt one, and that the cost of introducing it would be very soon reimburred by the coneequent saving in fuel, The grand jury of Philadelphia, kave~ presented the roome occupied a8 {a post office In that olty, and asoribe the numerous charges which are made against it, to the deticiencies of the building, rather than to any want of diligence and attention to their daties on the part of its officers This department does not feel itself justified, even if it porsessed the power to erect » new office, but while it secormendhy respec ifully leaves it to Congtess to supply the remedy : Ns the Jast rersion of Congress. resolution was intro- duced but not acted -u) authorizing the Postmaster General to allow at his discretion, a sum not exereding $26 000 to the contractors for carrving the mail this eit: d Richmond, and thus operat: ¢ ice boats necessary to secure certain'y and Beare delay in the transportation ef the mail: om that r0U Treepectfully ask that the attention of Congress be — to this resolution, and that its passage be recom- mended. This Department has received through the medium of the Honorable Abbott rence, late Minister to Kog- land. the proceedings of an association formed in London, for the purpore of promoting @ cheap and uniform system of international postage ‘The object aimed at by this association is very desirable, and well worthy of the at- tention of this government ; but in the imperfoct state of our foreign postal arrangements, I doemit inexpedient to enter, at preeent, on any new experiment. Tn conclusion, I desire to express my obligations to my edecessor, the Hon N K. Hall, forthe aid he has af- forded me in compiling this report. The statistics he had in preparation. apd the method he had established in the Department. have materially assisted me inthe discharge of my duties. I would respectfully recommend that a ste- tiatical and histcrical ketch of this Department, which he submitted to the Post Office Committee of Vongress, ‘be continued. as a valuable work of reference. ‘The industry and attention to their laborious duties, exhibited by the Assistant Post Mas Geueral, the chief clerk and the other clerks of this Department, de- mand wy thanks, which are gratefully rendered. I have the honor to be Aas obedient servant. |. D. HUBBARD, Post Muster General To the President. a : $ ae wh H) ws 8 BE aE Sl: gi: :: BS SE ele g Te ¥! oR eb Bi off el: 86: +: 8 8 8) 3 ; El es gh 75 Bl. ee. BR 319 : Gg 3: 8 32 3 ; 8 2 Be alte |: ; & ig g Bie SRC che ie A? £ 2ugzaeasaeazzaned] Fg zl: veesOeus2e@2ta") 5t : geserssslsagune o 5 i sgusegeccetas §) 2 é teria icca a & SUIsSBsI=3 | ! g Sess aes. 3 pa a = ay @ = E IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL STATISTICS, Statement exhibiting the value of foreign merchandise | imported, re-exported, and consumed, annually, from 1880 to 1852, inclusive, and also the estimated population apd rate of consumption, per capita, during the same period :-— ————Value of Foreign Merchandise. 2” Import- eez- Consumed ‘Popula- Cons. ported. onhand, tion. preap. $14.27,479 5,459.44 $12,505,020 £ 39 20,135;528 "$3 187,693 “13,785 B04 6 25 73 76,989,793 13706707 5.6L B8/205,578 14,197,000 6 25 a 28.312 811 20,504 49% 21.746 360 10 93 2 2 1s 53 101 264,609 16,223,705 6 23 144 697,607 16,649, 108 83 88 951,207 17 009,453 2L W2447,008 17 612.5076 38 188,440,549 87 ut 1848 144}. 1 y 101,907.734 110'343,174 35.581, 483 BEBESS Neryaaecomeeonnansa gee’ months to June 30, tYear to June 3). Statement exhibiting the total value of imports, and the imports consumed in the United States, exclusive of specie, during each fiscal year from 1830 to 1852, showing, also. the value of the domestic and foreign exports, ex- clusive of specie, and the tonnage employed during the same period :— Total imports, ins Imports consu- Domest. pro gluing specie, med, exclusive duce exprt'd. Year. ‘of specie. 18H. v6 «$70, $49,885 099 1sshe ie 82,503,110 75,337,683 83'470,067 $86,973: 147 188,81 811 308 113 310,571 86 552 69 212 502,744 ading June 30, Foreign mercha dise exported, ea lusiee of species 1 0140, 483 104,538 973 121 693 677 123,663,040 V7 419,376 WS 456,016 2210) Wo:7, 21,636,563 VA,758,321 + 17,767,763 ere 32 416 214,645,000 113 453,616 158,648 622 164,087 U 8 14057 121, ‘ending June 90. Mittary Parades. Quintard Light Guard, Capt. MoKay, passed our office on Monday, on thelr return from tarot praotice. They nombered abeut forty raurkeis. and marched well. They were accom panied by the Empire Band ‘Williams Guard Captain Stiver, also passed. They numbered about sixty muskets aad mate a very fine ap- pewrance, They were attended by Adkins’ band Pryant Light Guard Captain Bryant, paseed, with tho Neuonal Rend ‘The Dyckmen Guard intend to give their second an. nual boli this eveningy at the Chinese Aswembly Room Brosdwey This oompeny is named after the gallant Garrett Dychman of the New York Voluntvors It prow mises to be ome of the grandest affairs of the reason Carlile Light Guard Captain Juba Wildey. number- ing ff y mon. went on their (euth annual target exour- sion to Hoboken, on Wednowday, the lat instant and, then marched to vbe Apollo. and took dianor. aftor whl hy the fifteen prines were awarded to the bes shot At the concluciin. Mr, Joveph Oarlisle presented @ splendid sgrord and sal to Usptatn Wildey. Jud in Noth State, Bat'le bas been cleoted to the Supreme Bench Corolis, ond Major Clark aa Comperolier of the thodist churob, will form am important epoch, for it was devoted to the consecration of the new Hedding Episoo- pal Methodist church, im Seventeenth street, by Bishop Jones. It is an edifice intended to supply a want which has long veem felt by the Methodists residing between Fourteenth and Twentieth streets, numbering fully sevan- teem hundred persons, who have had no churoh in which to hear divine service, and have been obliged to assembls in a rmall house in the First avenue. The new church is intended to be built of hewn stone, by Mr. De Witt C. Weeks, under the direction of Mr A. Winham. jr., the architect, and will cost between twelve and fifteen thous- and dollars. It will be Tipe ae ad five feet Ca and will be over by the Kev. 3. How. = has 60 long officiated as F in that district ty. ty Long before jthe hour appointed for lay a tee leniee r reverend gentlemen made their eppearance; Bishop Janes, Dr. Typg, of St. George’s Church, Dr. Smith of the Fourteenth street Preabyter Church, Dr. Kennedy, and Meeers. T. Young, Stephen Martindale, D. 8. Marks, and others, ‘The proceedings were commenced bythe Rey. Mr Mar- tindale, the presiding elder, who on out the 80th psatra. after which the Rev. Mr. Howland led in singing the 969th bymn. commencing, © Behold the sure foundation stone ! Which God in Zion lays, ‘To build cur heavenly hopes upon, And his eternal praise,” And was joined in chorus by the assembled brethrea. ‘The Rev. f. Youno then offered up prayer. The Rev.| Dr. Tyno rose to make an gd¢reas, and in tho’ course of his cbservations he took ocossion to remark on the gratification he felt at being able te assist at the uprearing of an, edifice devoted to the worship of God, though with many of the details of that worshis ha might differ from the notions which ¢! entectaiasd, He thould, in like manner, always be rejoiced to hear of the euccees of the church, and doubted not that great success would attend it. The Rev. Dr, Suir next made a short discourse, ant cor graiul the assembled multitude om the pro- pitiousvers of the weather, which seemed, as it were, «8 if Heaven was smiling on the undertaking in whioh they were engaged. He was alao gratified to observe tha unison of sentiment which seemed to avimate all present, which augured well for the future welfare of the churoh, Of: he necessity that existed for such # church. no one could havea doubt; and be himself was of opiaion that only by the extension of churches im New York could the people be saved Before conclading. the Dootor paid a very handsome compliment to ihe ladies who had so ef- ficlently assisted in the present enterprise. and who were always to be found im the vanguard of the Uhristiaa army. Dr Kannepy then rose, and after a fow preliminary obrervations. assured the bretbren that his heart beat in unison with the hearts of hie fellow laborers, and hia foel- ings responded to the kiadiy sentiments of those gentle- men who, in Christian fellowship, had voluntarily come forward to aid in tl good work then on hand. After a few more pertinant remarks, he on- cluded by an exhortation to the brethren to demonstrate stil further the interest they took in tho eburch. by contributing largely when the collection should be wade. While the collection was going on. tha Dector hinted at the desirability of a subscription being then and there commenced, to raise $1,000 towards the $23,0¢0. which the church and property altogether would cost. This matter was at once entered into with spirit, and by way of encouragement, the Doctor kept up a run- ning Sire of bon mots and pleasantries, The ladies con- tributed se largely that Dr; Smith roseand returoed them his thanks for having practically corroborated all that he bed said of them. When $1.016 had been subscribed, Dr. Kennedy re- turned thanks on behalf of the trustees, and hoped to have an early opportunity of testifying gratitude to the . reverend gentlemen who had len’ their valuable services on that occasion. Birhop Janes then proceeded to lay the corner stone, end after gpreadiog the plaster, placed a tin box im the centre of the stone, and announced that it contained one of the American Bosiety’s Bibles. Methodist Discipline, constitution and by-laws of the Ladies’ Home Missionary Society, Rev. Laban Claz! id Dr. Bangs’ semi centen- nial sermons, daily papers of this city, the annual report of the Missionary Society, Methodist Almanacs for 1852-3, annual minutes of the Mothodiat Church, General Von- ibscribers, ee trus- ad ference’s report of 1862, a list of the su’ tees, and members of the church. He then sais is to promote the salvation of man. and to contribute to the glory cf God. Inthe name of the Father, the and the Holy G@bost—amen.”” The stone was then turne: down. and the Rev. Dr. Bangs offered a short prayer, and the proceedings ended. Superior Court—Part First. Hon Judge Paine presiding ACTION FOR FRIGHT OF VALUABLE PROPSBTY. Jas. Holford vs Alvin Adams and others.—The plaintt® im tbis case sues to recover from the defendants thirty- nine Arkansas bonds for $1000 eack, to which coupons were attached. and which were it is alleged, delivered at New Orleans by the plaintiffs agent to the azent of ‘Adams & Co’s express. The package in which they were enclosed was marked $40 000 on the outer cover. It appears that the parcel was delivered ts the ex- [| press company by plaintiff's agent, for the purpose of transportation to New York. where it was to be delivered to the plaintiff, and Adams & Co, gave plaintiff's agent a receipt for the passage valuing it at $40.000, engaging themselves to deliver it with the asual exemptions from the perils of the sea. and all other risks, excepting fraud or negligence oftheir own servants ‘The paskage was tendered to plaintiff in New York, and a charge of one per cent demanded by Adams & Co. The plaintiff refused to pay that amount. but tendered $20. im full for the elsim. This the defendants refused and would not do- liver the ee. Mr. F. B gCutting, for defendant, and Mr. Tucker, for plaintiff, egreed that if the jury found that $20, the saa tendered, was sufficient, a general verdict for the plaintiff should be entered, but if the dofendants were entitled to reeover their charge. there should be a verdict for the fail amount with interest. Mr Catting contended that plain- tf could not er he the value of the package was leas than $40,000. The plaintiff insisted that the real value wes mt more than $28,000 The Court could uot re- ceive this teetimony, and plaint!f’x counsel excepted The Judge in his charge, said that ifthe jury found that the urusl charge for transporting articles of vatue from New Orleans to New York was one per cent. the defen- dants were entitled to @ verdict, and the jury should access their damages on the sum of $40,000, which, as @ matter of law. must be taken as the real value, But if the jury found that $20 wasa sufficient tender, then there should be a general verdict for the plaintiff, Verdiot for defendants for $425. Court of General Sessions. | Before Recorder, Hon ¥. R. Tillon. and Aldermen Haley ' and Compton. | COMMENCEMENT OF THE DECEMBER TERM—DEFAULT OF JURORS. Dee 6.—The Court was opened to-day by the above members, Alderman Haley occupying the seat of Alder- man Tweed. On the grand jury panel being called, it was found that only thirteen were in attendance. The law requires that there should be sixteen to form a quorum, and conse- quently those present were civoharged till to morrow (fuesdsy) at twelve o'clock, and a fine was inflicted on éach of the defaviters. The attempt to form a petit jury was equaliy unsuccessful, only twenty-one auswerimg to their names; and of theae, eleven made excuses which revailed with the Court, reducing,the number to eleven. he same course was pursued as ia the case of the grand jury. oie: THE CALENDAR. ‘The number of prisoners charged or convicted of felo- nies, ip the city prison, 1466 of whom 65 are elie | the action of the grand jury; 6 are already indicted; consicted. Of the new ossea, there are:—assault avd bat- tery. with intent to kill. 7; robbery. 8; araon.1; bugle | ry. 5; forgery, 2; grand larceny, 26; embexaloment, 2; bigamy. 1; Fecutving stolen goods. 2; illegal oti, 3; assault and battery, 1; coliciting sliem passengers, (oon- trary to the etatute.) ‘THE FORREST CASE IN THE COURT OF SESSIONS. ‘The tria! of William fI. Doty, cherged with perjary on the triel of this well known cau-e, was appointed to have teken ee to-day. and Mr. Forrest was preseat, in pursa- ence ofhis recognizances, to prosecute, together wich his counsel, Mr. Chatfield. the Attorney General, but, in consequence of there not being o sufficient mumber of jurors present, and Mr. 0 having some epgagementa elsewbere, on atrangement was made, and the cause set down for this dey week. Tuesday, December 14. ‘The Court then adjourned till this day at 12 o'clock, the morning being devoted to Special Sessions. in whieh there isa long calendar, principally of bail cases, which Lave accumulated during the summer. Dre. 7—The grand and petit juries were again oallod thie morning, but with no better success than vesterday, only reven of the latter answering. New precepts were conerqnently ordered, reveral fines inflicted. and the Court adjourned till this morning at the usual hour. United States Circuit Court. Before Judge Betts THE HENRY CLAY CALAMITY. Dec 6,— The United States ve. the O; ‘* and Owners of the Steamer Henry Clay. —Me MoM. moved the Court to set down the trial of the persons accused of esusing. by negligence, the destruction of life on board the Henry Olay. | ‘The judge said that the clvil calendar would ovoupy all this ronth. end that the case of the Henry Olay ovlamity ver not be taken up before the secomd Monday in Japunr: The Taited States District Atiorney gave notice that he would try the case of the Reindeer explosion before that of the Henry Clay. ‘The court then adjou United States District Court, Before Hon. Judge Betta. Dec, 6 —The Grand Jury entered court this morning, with true bills in the (cliowing oacos :— United States ve John Lewis. for an emdeavor to make a evolt, and for confining the master of the ship 1. & ogern., nied States vs John Gardner, for aed em. bezzling w letter, addressed to John Soper ne hs Oma hileing ve Louis Bury end Luis Leon, for moicing ountert oney. ‘nied States ~ Joln Brown and Martin Donebsn, 7 he bart to make a revolt om board the ship Goce ee 6 West. The Gasnd Jary were then discharged, and the eourt adjourned toc the term RuvsrseE oF Fortunt —We heard, yesterday, an affeoting story concerning a widow who bas recently ar. rived in this city from California, Several ago whe accompanied her husband to that distant State he naving ‘been attracted thither by dazzling prospescs of spevdlly acquired wealth, But bis hopes were got realized, anda short time sivee he died. Her own th was seriously impaired, owing to exposure. On reaching the Actuatic, homewards, he lost her infant. only obild, and mado ar- rangements for baving the body eonveyed to hoe former residence—In @ neigh! ae to but, unfortanar ly, t and te her groat distress, box contami has mia. carried; and yesterday a friend was ney by telograph comterning it,—W 0.