^333 
 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 Report of the P 
 Conf Pam #333 
 
 iliilllllljiiililil 
 
SENATE, February 10, 1865.— Ordered to be printed. 
 
 REPORT 
 
 ' 9? THE 
 
 POSTMAsiEBT-lT&NEIlAL 
 
 TO THE PRESIDENT, 
 
 April 29, 1861. 
 
 Post-Office Department, 
 3Iontgomery^ Ala., April ..9th, 1861. 
 
 To THE President ; 
 
 Sir : — I have the honor to submit the following statement of 
 the condition of the Post-Office Department. 
 
 After my appointment as Postmaster-General on the 6th day 
 of March last, offices and furniture for the use of the Depart- 
 ment had to be procured. 
 
 The legislation of Congress contemplated the organization of 
 the Department on the same general plan and principles, which 
 was found in operation under the authority of the Government 
 of the United States, and provisions were adopted to enable this 
 Department, in a given contingency, to continue in service such 
 postmasters, contractors and others, employed in the postal ser- 
 vice as had been engaged in that service under that Government. 
 
 To organize the Department so as to carry out the purposes 
 had in view by Congress ; to ensure the continuance of our postal 
 facilities in such manner as to meet the public necessities ; to 
 avoid the suspension of the postal service, until a new system 
 could be adopted and put in operation, and to prevent a serious 
 shock to the public interests by a temporary suspension of mail 
 service, were the first questions to be considered by the Depart- 
 ment. And it became necessary to obtain much information 
 relating to the organization of the Department and its opera- 
 
2 
 
 tions. This necessarily produced some delay. But, immediately 
 after my appointment, I adtipted the most active measures to 
 obtain such inform-iiion, and to procure the services of such 
 persons as would enable me to organize the Department at the 
 earliest day practic-ible. 
 
 The necessary blanks and forms, (other than the blanks for 
 the (juartcrly returns of postmasters,) numbt'rinf:^ more than two 
 huniired, have been prepared for the use of the Department, and 
 much time and labor have been employed in obtaining and pre- 
 piirin<j; suitable books. These books are now reaily, and the 
 Department so far advanced with its organization as to be able 
 to assume the entire direction of our postal affairs. The only 
 embarrassment that would be experienced in taking charge of 
 the service at this time, wouhl be the want of the blanks for the 
 quarterly returns of postmasters, and of postage stamj)S and 
 stamped envelopes. Advertisements of proposals for contracts 
 for furnishing the^e supplies have been' made, and contracts for 
 them are to be closed on the first day of May. Until supplies 
 can be delivered under these contracts, the postages can be paid 
 in money and the Department can make temporary arrange- 
 ments for supplying such officers as arc without blanks. 
 
 All the mail routes m the Confederate States, with the names 
 of the post-offices supplied by them, and the revenues derived 
 from each office, are registered in the contract books. The con- 
 tract prices of carrying the mails on all the routes in the States 
 of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, are also regis- 
 tered on the books for those States. And it is expected the De- 
 partment will soon obtain the information necessary to enable 
 it to make the like entries in the books which relate to the States 
 of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. 
 
 The names of all the post-offices in the Confederate States, 
 alphabetically arranged, and also arranged by States and coun- 
 ties, have been registered in the books of the Appointment 
 Bureau. And the necessary books, forms and circulars for the 
 Inspection Office, tenrporarily jdaced under the direction of the 
 Appointment Bureau, have been prepared. 
 
 The necessary hooks have also been prepared for the use of 
 the Finance Bureau. 
 
 A draftsman has been employed, and is engaged in the pre- 
 paration of the maps necessary for the use of the Department. 
 This work must necessarily be somewhat delayed in its comple- 
 tion, until the requisite data can be obtained to fix the location 
 of the minor offices. The necessary correspondence will soon be 
 commenced to enable the Department to obtain that information. 
 
 I have directed the classification and arrangement of the duties 
 of the several Bureaus of the Depaitment, with a view to the 
 harmony and efficiency of its operations, and for the purpose of 
 
exhibiting a clear and concise statement of the number and 
 character of the clerical force required by the Department. — 
 This duty has been performed by Henry St. Geo. Onutt, Chief 
 of the Contract Bureau, in a manner which evinces his full and 
 accurate knowledge of its varied and extensive machinery. His 
 report is hereto annexed, (marked Appendix A.) And I take 
 pleasure in saying that this gentleman, and Benj. N. Clements, 
 Chief of the Appointment Bureau, have brought to the service 
 of the Department an amount and character of information and 
 experience, and a zeal and energy in the discharge of all the 
 duties assigned to them, which have been especially servicable in 
 its organization. 
 
 It will be seen that a force of eighteen clerks, in addition to 
 the twenty heretofore allowed by Congress, will be necessary to 
 carry on the business of the Department; and one watchman will 
 be necessary to the security of the building. 
 
 The principal clerk in each of the Bureaus — three in all — 
 should receive a salary of fourteen hundred dollars. The im- 
 portance and difficulty of the service to be performed, and the 
 consequent necessity for the employment of the best talents, ex- 
 perience and business capacity which can be commanded for 
 this service, and the fact that the lowest grade of pay allowed 
 to the clerks of the Department is inadequate to the support of 
 such persons as have families — and the further fact that persons, 
 qualified for the proper performance of these duties, can com- 
 mand much higher compensation for their services in other em- 
 ployments, render it proper — looking to the good of the service 
 — that ten of these clerks be allowed salaries of twelve hundred 
 dollars, and the remaining five may be allowed one thousand 
 dollars per annum, each. I must also ask that there be alljwed 
 a principal clerk for the Inspection Office, with a salary of four- 
 teen hundred dollars. 
 
 This increase of force is necessary to the success of the De- 
 partment in conducting the postal affairs of the seven States 
 now composing the Confederate States; and a corresponding in- 
 crease of the clerical force of the Department will be required 
 as the States, in the march of transpiring events, separate them- 
 selves from the Government of the United States and unite 
 ■with the Confederate States. 
 
 I must call attention to the fact that, while the Heads of Bu- 
 reaus in other Departments of the Government are allowed sala- 
 ries of three tiiousand dollars, the Heads of Bureaus in this De- 
 partment are allowed but twenty-five hundred. It is unquestion- 
 able that the Heads of Bureaus in this Department are required 
 to perform as much labor as in any other, and much more than 
 most of the other Heads of Bureaus. They are also charged 
 with duties, at once the most delicate and responsible, and must 
 
be constantly engaged in investigating and disponing of questions 
 ■which affect, in an important degree, both the public and private 
 interests. And to give thorn a just compensation for their ser- 
 yices, and place them and this Department on an equal footing with 
 the others, they should receive salaries of three thousand dollars. 
 
 It will also be necessary for Congress to provide an Auditor 
 of the Treasury for the Post C)ffice Department, and to furnish 
 for his Bureau a clerical force. I refer you to that part of the 
 report of the Chief of the Contract Bureau, herewith submitted, 
 ■which shows the number and character of the force employed in 
 the corresponding Bureau at Washington, (the Sixth Auditor's 
 OflRce,) and tho number and character of the force required to 
 audit and settle the accounts of this Department. 
 
 Your attention is also respectfully called to the report of the 
 Chief of the Appointment Bureau, hereto attached, (marked 
 Appendix B;) and to that of the Chief of the Finance Bureau, 
 also hereto attached, (marked Appendix C ) 
 
 The Department has advertised for bids for contracts for the 
 supply of Mail-Bags, Post-Of!ice Blanks and paper for the same, 
 wrapping paper, twine and sealing wax, circular marking and 
 rating stamps, postage stamps and stamped envelopes, and for 
 mail locks and keys. 
 
 These bids are to be made by the first day of May, and it is 
 expecre(i the Department will be able to obtain contracts for the 
 furnishing of these supplies at an early day. 
 
 A contract has been made for the printing of all the blanks 
 to be used by the Department, other than those for quarterly re- 
 turns, on favorable terms, a portion of them to be delivered on 
 Friday the '26th April inst., and the remainder at such times, 
 and in such quantities, as shall meet the necessities of the service. 
 For full and accurate statements as to these matters, you are 
 respectfully referred to the Beport of the Chief of the Contract 
 Bureau. 
 
 Soon after entering on my duties, I received letters of inquiry 
 from postmasters, mail contractors and others, as to whether they 
 ■were to continue to act under their appointments and contracts 
 as the officers and contractors of the Government of the United 
 States; or were to hold themselves responsible to the Govern- 
 ment of the Confederate States. In reply to the inquiries of 
 contractors, I prepared and sent them circular letter No. 2, a 
 copy of which is hereto annexed, (marked Appendix D,) advis- 
 ing them that this Government would not interfere with existing 
 contracts between the contractors and the Government of the 
 United States, until it should assume the entire control of its 
 postal affairs, and that it would not assume any liability for the 
 contracts of the United States. In answer to postmasters, cir- 
 cular letter No. 3, a copy of which is also hereto annexed, 
 
(marked Appendix E,) was prepared and sent to all the post' 
 masters in the Confederate States, directing them to continue 
 to perform their duties, render their accounts, and pay over all 
 moneys to the Government of the United States which might 
 come into their hands as postmasters, until this Department should 
 assume the entire control of the service. 
 
 These circulars contain a statement of the reasons which in- 
 duced the Department to issue them. ^ 
 
 It was hoped this course would have beneficial effects, by re- 
 moving all doubts as to the duty, for the time being, of those 
 engaged in the postal service, and by showing to tho Government 
 at Washington, that so long as it continued to hold itself liable 
 for the mail service in the Confederate States, it should receive 
 all the revenues derived from that service. It was supposed, too, 
 that it was greatly to the interest of the people of that country, 
 as well as to the interest of those of our own, to avoid a sudden 
 suspension of the postal communication between the people of 
 the two countries, and to avoid being brought at once to practical 
 non-intercourse, which, it was supposed, would occur if this De- 
 partment had been required to assume the control of the service 
 before its organization, and before any time had been given to 
 provide the means of passing the mails across the frontier. And 
 when that policy was determined on, it was not known that active 
 hostilities would occur ; but it was then supposed to be still possi- 
 ble that our separation from the United States might be peacea- 
 bly effected, and that all questions relating to the public property 
 and to pecuniary liability between the two countries, might be 
 settled by negotiations on terms of equality. 
 
 While that Government has not yet suspended the mail service 
 in this, it is yet believed that its control of the service, for some 
 time past, has been used more to annoy and harrass the mail con- 
 tractors and postmasters in the Confederate States, than for the 
 purpose of affording mail facilities, and with a view of rendering 
 them discontented, if possible, with the existing political c mdi- 
 tion of the country. I have no power, under existing laws, to 
 assume control of our postal service before the suspension of it 
 by the United States. If I had possessed that power, I should, 
 before this, have exercised it. And now that active hostilities 
 have commenced, and as we need not anticipate being separated 
 from our sister Southern States, or having our correspondence 
 with them interrupted for any great length of time, by being 
 under different governments, I recommend that the Congress 
 give this Department authority at once to assume the control of 
 our postal service, and that it forbid the continuance of such ser- 
 vice under the authority of the United States. 
 
 As soon as the condition of the country will permit it, the 
 necessary steps will be taken to put a system of foreign and in- 
 ternational postal service in operation. 
 
I must also ask for additional legislation on the following 
 sulijects : 
 
 1. It is deemed advisable to ask Congress to invest the Chief 
 of the Contract Bureau with authority to exercise the powers 
 and perform the duties of the Postmaster General, temporarily, 
 in case of his death, resignation or absence. 
 
 _. To confer the franking privilege on the Chiefs of the Con- 
 tract, Apjjointment and Finance Bureaus, so far as to authorize 
 them to send and receive packages, relating exclusively to the 
 duties of their offices, free of postage 
 
 8. To authorize tlie use of ten-cent stamps and stamped envel- 
 opes'^— no stamps of that denomination having been provided for 
 by the act authorizing the use of two, five and twenty-cent stamps 
 and stamped envelope^. 
 
 4. I would, also, with great respect for, and deference to, the 
 recent action of the Congress, suggest some chunges in the act 
 of the 28d February last, " to prescribe the rates of postage." 
 Under that act, the postage on newspapers is : on those not ex- 
 ceeding three ounces in weight, pul)lished weekly, within the 
 limits of the State where published, six and one-half cents per 
 quarter ; on papers published semi-weekly, double that rate ; on 
 papers published thrice a week, treble tliat rate; and on pafters 
 published daily, six times that rate; and the postage on all news- 
 pa[)ers without the State where published, shall be charged with 
 double those rates. 
 
 In lieu of this, I would suggest that the postage on newspa- 
 pers be made uniform, without reference to State boundaries or 
 the distance they may be carrie<l, and that there should be paid 
 on weekly newspapers, not weighing more than three ounces, ten 
 cents per quarter postage ; double that amount on semi-weekly ; 
 treble that amount on tri-weekly; and six times that amount on 
 daily papers. This would not, probably, operate injuriously on 
 the circulation of local papers, and, as a very large majority of 
 papers are delivered within short distances of the place of pub- 
 lication, it would increase the revenues of the Department. And 
 there is an apparent unfairness in establishing an arbitrary in- 
 crease of postage against papers passing a State boundary, how- 
 ever short the distance they are to be carried, and allowing others 
 "wiiliin the State to be carried greatly further for one-half the 
 amount. The adoption of a uniform rate of postage, and of the 
 regular divisions of the decimal currency, and such rates as to 
 avoid fractions of cents, would be most convenient to those who 
 pay the postage, and would render the keeping of the accounts 
 of newspaper- postage more simple and less laborious, both in the 
 local post-offices and in this Department. 
 
 6. 1 would also recommend the abolishing of the franking 
 privilege allowed by that act to newspaper exchanges. This 
 
privilege was, no doubt, allowed on the supposition that it confers 
 a favor on the publishers of papers ; and this may, in some in- 
 stances, be the. Ciiso ; but, in many instances, it works hardship 
 and loss to the publishers, and a very respectable number of the 
 publishers of newspapers would gladly see the free exchange of 
 papers abolished. The system of exchanging newspapers on 
 equal terms, without reference to the value of the papers, is 
 neither just nor equitable. It may be said they are not com- 
 pelled to exchange, and may refuse to do so if they will. While 
 this is so as a question of right and privilege, it can hardly bo 
 said to be practically tuue. One of the evil effects of the system 
 is to load the m^ils with exchanges, a large portion of which are 
 sent as a matter of grace without an equival^-nt return, and 
 probablj' an equal number of which are not opened at the office 
 to which they are ad<lressed. And as a matter of principle and 
 right, we should regard the publishing of newspapers as a branch 
 of business which has no greater title to be conducted in part at 
 public expense, than any other branch of industry. The spirit 
 and letter of the Constitution, conforming to the plainest princi- 
 ple of right, reject the idea that there should be any legal dis- 
 crimination for or against any branch of industry. The tree ex- 
 change of newspapers imposes a very heavy burden on the De- 
 partment, by increasing the weight of the mails, and greatly re- 
 duces the revenues. 
 
 ti. I would also recommend a change of the rates of postage 
 on periodicals. By the act above referred to, the postage on the 
 regular numbers of a periodical, not exceeding one and a half 
 ounces and published monthly, within the State where published, 
 shall be three cents per quarter ; if published semi-monthly, 
 double that rate ; and for every additional ounce or fraction of 
 an ounce, double the foregoing rates shall be charged ; and pe- 
 riodicals published quarterly or bi-monthly, shiill be charged one 
 cent an ounce; and the postage on all periodicals without the 
 State where published, shall be double the above specified rates. 
 
 In lieu of these rates, I recommend that the rates of postages 
 on periodicals shall be made uniform whenever sent within the 
 Confederate States ; and that the postage on a regular number 
 of a periodical not exceeding one and a half ounces in. weight, 
 and published monthly, shall be five cents per quarter; if pub- 
 lished semi-monthly, double that rate; and for every additional 
 ounce or fraction of an ounce, five cents additional shall be 
 charged; and that on periodicals published quarterly or bi- 
 monthly, the postage should be two cents per ounce. It is be- 
 lieved these rates would tend to increase the circulation of this 
 class of literature, and would, probably, yield an increase of 
 revenue to the Department, and that it is more equitable, and 
 would be more satisfactory than the rates now established. 
 
8 
 
 7. By the act above referred to, the postage on sealed pack- 
 ages, other than printed or written matter, is charged at double 
 the rates of postage on letters. The rate of letter postage is 
 deemed sufficient to remunerate the Department for their trans- 
 mission. A policy which would increase the amount of matter 
 carried at the rates of letter-postage, will, at present rates, cor- 
 respondingly increase the revenues of the Department and bene- 
 fit the service. Any policy which would reduce the amount of 
 matter carried at the rates of letter-postage, would, by the 
 same rule, reduce the receipts of the Department and impair the 
 efficiency of tiie service. No substantial reason is perceived why 
 the mails should not be opened to all matter which wouhl pay as 
 high rates of postage as letters. The carrying of such packages 
 at such rates, would increase the usefulness of the service, and 
 furnish a means of enabling persons to transmit small and valua- 
 ble packages, which would, in most instances, be excluded by im- 
 posing on them double the rates of letter-postage. The Depart- 
 ment is 'fully protected against frauds by the imposition of 
 the highest rates of postage on those packages, when they are 
 charged at the rates of letter-postage, and the Government 
 assumes no additional responsibility for their transmission through 
 the mails. 
 
 8. To authorize the Postmaster-General to curtail and discon- 
 tinue mail-service under such limitations as may be thought wise, 
 where such discontinuance or curtailment is necessary to secure 
 due economy in the service. This power has been exercised un- 
 der existing legislation, but is not specifically conferred by any 
 act of Congress. The authority for doing so rests on the terms 
 which are embodied in all contracts; and this power will have to 
 be employed frequently, until the cost of the present service shall 
 be reduced to a point not exceeding too greatly the revenues of 
 the Department. 
 
 In this connection. I should say that it is not deemed advisable 
 at this time to re-let the mail service for the Confederate States; 
 but it is thought better to continue existing contracts whenever 
 it is agreeable to the contractors. The reasons for this are that 
 it may be doubtful whether contracts could now be made extend- 
 ing beyond the duration of the Provisional Government ; and to 
 let them for a time not extending beyond that, would probably 
 increase, rather than diminish, the cost of the service for such 
 period. But by waiting until the Permanent Government shall 
 go into operation to let new contracts, the Department will have 
 gained time to thoroughly examine the present schedules of mail 
 routes, and to re-adjust them, so as to greatly abridge the present 
 expense. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to do this in a 
 satisfactory manner in time to make new contracts this summer ; 
 and if other States stiould be added to the Confederacy during 
 
the existence of the Provisional Government, which is probable, 
 this course will give the Department more time and better oppor- 
 tunity to arrange s;»tisfactorily the whole service. And if the 
 power be given to discontinue and curtail the service in proper 
 cases, the expense of the service can be greatly reduced during 
 the year without re-letting the contracts. A thorough examina- 
 tion of the service of the various States is now being made by 
 the Department, for the purpose of ascertaining what routes may 
 be discontinued, and what curtailed with propriety, and also for 
 ascertaining the nui^ber of routes, the revenues of which do not 
 equal one-third of their cost. This examination, so far as it has 
 gone, shows that there are many of these unproductive routes, 
 and it cannot be doubted that a proper regard for economy, and 
 in some cases, even for propriety, will require some of them to 
 be wholly discontinued, and many others to be curtailed to a less 
 expensive service. This Report, embracing the contracts in the 
 States of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, is herewith 
 submitted, (marked Appendix F.) A similar report cannot now 
 be made for the States of Flurida, Georgia and South Carolina, 
 for the want of present information of the cost of the service in 
 those States. 
 
 When I submitted my hastily drawn estimates of the 15th of 
 March, it was supposed the expense of the service might be 
 reduced from the sum of two millions eight hundred and seventy- 
 nine thousand five hundred and thirty dollars and seventy-nine 
 cents, ($2,879,530.79) — the cost of the service for the fiscal 
 year ending June 30th, 18b0 — to one million seven hundred and 
 twenty-seven thousand two hundred and eighteen dollars and 
 forty-nine cents, ($1,727,218.49,) for the year ending March 1st, 
 1862 ; making a reduction of one million one hundred and fifty- 
 two thousand three hundred and twelve dollars and twenty-eight 
 cents, ($1,152,312.28.) 
 
 The grounds on which it was supposed this deduction could be 
 made are set forth in the statement accompanying those estimates, 
 as follows : 
 
 " In considering the means of balancing the receipts and 
 expenditures for the current year, and overcoming the excess of 
 expenditure of last year, which amounts to $1,941,425.35, I 
 have assumed that the cost of transportation may be reduced by 
 discontinuing unnecessary routes, by reducing the number of 
 trips, by the reduction of the weight of mail-matter resulting 
 from the abolition of the franking privilege, by letting out all 
 the routes or star-bids, and by shortening long routes so as to 
 secure local competition in bids for contracts, forty per cent, on 
 the aggregate cost." 
 
 It was then supposed the schedules of routes might be 
 examined and new schedules arranged, so as to let the contracts 
 
10 
 
 on all the routes, other than railroad and steamboat routes, on 
 the "star-bid" system, in time to produce a great reduction of 
 expenditure during tlie cunoJit year. But the difficulties nnd 
 delavs which must necessarily attend a re-arranpement of the 
 Bchednle of routes, growing out ot the want of necessary informa- 
 tion and from the lapse of time which will be requireil to got the 
 required information by correspondence, and the great amount of 
 labor which will be required in arranging the schedules after 
 that iiifortnation is obtained, together with the fact that the 
 Department has not been able to obtain sugh nia|)s as are indis- 
 pensably necessary to a reliable and satisfactory arrangement of 
 these schedules, and that a very general and extensive corres- 
 pondence will be necessary through all the States to obtain the 
 means of preparing these maps, added to the reasons above sta- 
 ted, and the doubt as to my authority to make contracts extend- 
 ing beyond the duration of the Provisional (jIoverninei\t, and the 
 supposition that contracts made for so short a period of time as 
 that between this and its termination would be likely to increase, 
 rather than diminish, the cost of the service, has induced me to 
 recommend the continuance of existing contracts until such time 
 as proper schedules can be prepared and advertised, as required 
 by law, and to ask authority to abolish and curtail the present 
 service whenever it can be done with propriety. But, with all 
 the reductions which can probably be made by abolishing and cur- 
 tailing the service — which must require considerable time before 
 enough can be done to produce any great reduction of the gene- 
 ral cost of the service — it is not believed to be possible to bring 
 the expenditures for the year within my former estimates; and, 
 especially, if Congress siiall direct the Department to assume the 
 control of the service at once, which it is believed ought to be 
 done. And to meet all contingencies, and avoid a deficiency to 
 be supplied hereafter, I have to ask, in addition to the appropria- 
 tions heretofore made, that Congress appropriate the further sum 
 of five hundred thousand dollars. This would still leave the 
 expenditures of the current year six hundred and fifty-two thou- 
 sand three hundred and twelve dollars and twenty-eight cents, 
 ($652,8i.2.28,) less than those of the last year. Two months, 
 however, of the year covered by my estimates will have elapsed 
 before the service can now be assumed. This time, at the rate 
 of annual expenditure of the last year, would save the expendi- 
 ture of four hundred and seventy-nine thousand nine hundred 
 and twenty one dollars and seventy-nine cents, (§47'J,l*2l.79.) 
 And, hence, the actual reduction of expenditure for the remain- 
 ing ten months would be but one hundred and seventy-two thou- 
 sand three hundred and ninety dollars and forty-nine cents, 
 ($172,890.49.) It is believed a much greater reduction than 
 this can be made. But the means of meeting this expenditure 
 
11 
 
 are expected to arise from the three hundred thousand dollars 
 heretofore appropriated from the general treasury, and five hun- 
 dred thousand dollars now asked to be appropriated from the 
 general treasury, and the estimated receipts of tlie Department 
 for the current year, amounting to one million four hundred and 
 seven thousand one hundred and fifty-eight dollars and thirteen 
 cents, (^1,407,150.13.) 
 
 In submitting my former estimates, I stated that " I had not 
 then the time or means of cou'-idering what the efi'ect of our pre- 
 sent political disturbances might be on our postal revenues." 
 Those estimates were based upon the assumption that the country 
 •woula remain at peace, and that its business was not to be mate- 
 rially interrupted. This assumption was adopted, not so much 
 from any belief that peace was to continue, as from the necessity 
 of assuming as a basis for the estimates either a condition of 
 peace or of war ; and as war did not then exist, and as it was 
 known that Congress would soon meet again, I assumed the con- 
 dition of peace as the basis of my estimates, and waived in my 
 former report the consideration of what the effects of war might 
 be on our postal revenues until the re-assembling of Congress. 
 
 We are now involved in a war between our people and those 
 ■with whom they have heretofore had the most extensive business 
 and social relations, and in which mighty armies are being mar- 
 shalled, and which must produce a general prostration of busi- 
 ness on both sides, and which, it is safe to assume, will very 
 greatly reduce, if it does not totally suspend, all communication 
 through the mails between the people of the Confederate States 
 and those of the United States. This suspension of communica- 
 tion and prostration of business must necessarily produce a 
 reduction of the postal receipts. And if my former estimates — 
 based on a condition of peace — were correct, it is fair to assume, 
 now that war exists, that the current receipts will be reduced 
 greatly below those estimates. The supposed reduction of reve- 
 nue to be derived from this source constitutes one of the main 
 reasons for asking this increased appropriation from the general 
 treasury ; and, hence, though it is confidently anticipated that a 
 reduction of expenditure, greatly exceeding the sum of one hun- 
 dred and seventy-two thousand three hundred and ninety dollars 
 and twenty-eight cents, shown by the above figures, may be 
 made, yet the anticipated reduction of postal receipts below for- 
 mer estimates, with the other reasons stated in a former part of 
 this report, renders it safe, if not absolutely necessary, to ask 
 for this additional amount. I regret the necessity of asking this 
 additional appropriation ; but the former prodigal expenditures 
 in this service, and almost utter neglect of economy in its super- 
 vision and management, the difficulty of correcting these evils in 
 so extensive a department of the public service in a short period 
 
12 
 
 of time, and the present condition of the country, render it, in 
 my judgment, necessary. And though 1 ask this additional 
 appropriHtion, I shall not, if it be granted, relax my eflForts to 
 reduce the expenditures of the Department, and do not doubt 
 that, by proper management, it can be made self-sustaining by 
 the time speciBed in the permanent Constitution. 
 
 It is to be observed that the amount of expenditures over pos- 
 tal receipts, for the last fiscal year, whs one million nine hundred 
 and forty-one thousand four iiundred and twenty-five dollars and 
 thirty-five cents, (1$ 1,1341,425.35,) while, if eight hundred thou- 
 sand dollars — the amount now asked for — be granted, it will be 
 one million one hundred and forty-one thousand four hiJndred 
 and twenty-five dollars and thirty-five cents, (§1,141,425.85,) 
 less to be supplied from the general treasury for this than for the 
 last year. 
 
 During the year ending June 30th, 1860, the mails were car- 
 ried over four thousand one hundred and seventy-one (4,171) 
 miles of railroad in the Confederate States, the total annual 
 transportation on thom being three million seven hundred and 
 fifteen thousand four hundred and two (3,715,402) miles, and 
 the cost of transportation for the same time being six hundred 
 and thirty-five thousand nine hundred and one dollars, ($035,- 
 901.) The total postal receipts in the Confederate States, from 
 all sources, for the same period, amounted to but nine hundred 
 and thirty-eight thousan<l one hundred and five dollars and 
 forty-two cents, (S*J3», 105.42,) from which, it will be seen, the 
 cost of this branch of the service alone was ecjual to about two- 
 thirds of the whole postal receipts, leaving but three hundred and 
 two thousand two hundred and four dollars and forty-two cents, 
 ($m02,204.42,) of postal receipts more than the cost of the rail- 
 road service. For the same period the transportation of the 
 mails by steamboat cost five Iiundred and thirty-five thousand 
 five hundred and eighty-five dollars, ($o35,585 ;) by coach service, 
 five hundred and thirty-two thousand nine hundred and fifty-two 
 dollars, ($o32,1^52 ;) and by modes of service not specified, six 
 hundred and five thousand three hundred and eight dollars, 
 ($005,308,) — the total cost of transportation of all kinds, for 
 that year, being two million three hundrc<l and nine thousand 
 seven hundred and forty-six dollars, ($2, 300,740 ;) and the 
 excess of expenditure for transportation and other expenses of 
 the service over the receipts of postal revenues, as stated above, 
 amounting to one million nine hundred and forty-one thousand 
 four hundred and twenty dollars and thirty-five cents, ($1,941,- 
 425.35,) had to be supplied from the general treasury. 
 
 The manifest necessity for the reduction of the cost of this 
 service induced me, as one of my first duties, to put on foot such 
 examinations, and to institute such inquiries, as to enable me to 
 
n 
 
 do so at the earliest day practicable, and on such principles as 
 would produce the least reduction of mail facilities, and the least 
 injury to the interests of contractors, compatible with the public 
 interest and a due regard to economy. 
 
 To this end — after consulting with some of the principal Rail- 
 road Presidents of the country, and having their approval of the 
 policy and propriety of the measure — on the I6th day of this 
 month I addressed a circular letter to the Presidents of all the 
 railroad companies in the Confederate States, and to a number 
 of those in the adjacent States, requesting them or other repre- 
 sentatives of their companies to meet with me in this city on the 
 26th April, instant, for the purpose of considering the means of 
 reducing the cost of the railroad service, and with a view of 
 having some general and equitable understanding with them on 
 the subject. On the day appointed the representatives of thirty- 
 five companies met, most of tlie roads being represented by their 
 Presidents. All the leading lines of road in the Confederate 
 States, with one or two exceptions, and some of the roads in 
 other States, were represented. 
 
 The mernbe'S of this Convention represented four thousand 
 three hundred and seventy-six (4, 81 6) miles of road, and one 
 hundred and seven million six hundred and seventy thousand 
 dollars of capital. 
 
 The result of the meeting is disclosed by a communication 
 from myself to the Convention, in answer to the verbal request 
 of a committee appointed by them, that I should lay before 
 them, in writing, a distinct statement of my views and wishes on 
 the subject for which they were invited to assemble, and by their 
 resolutions subsequently passed — both of which, on account of 
 the gratifying and important results of the action of the Con- 
 vention, are inserted at length in this report, as follows : 
 
 Confederate States of America, "^ 
 Post- Office Department, \ 
 
 Montgomery, April 2dth, 1861. J 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 I am much gratified that so large a number of the Presidents 
 and other representatives of railroad companies in the Confede- 
 rate States, and others connected with lines of road reaching 
 beyond its borders, have responded to my request, that they 
 should meet with me at this time and place to consider questions 
 at once so important to the Government of the Confederacy and 
 to the railroad companies. 
 
 The change of government requires a new system of postal 
 service, and that the new government assume the control of. and 
 liability for, that service, as soon as possible. And as our Gov- 
 
i4 
 
 ernment commences without accumulated revenues, and must 
 raise means for its support as it projireeses, without established 
 political and commercial relations with forcijin powers, and, at 
 the same time, is involved in a war which must preatly prostrate 
 the business of the country in all its departments and employ, 
 for tlie present, the enterprise and energies of the petple for the 
 defence of our rights, and the establishment of our independence, 
 rather than in the more pleasant and profitable pursuits of life, 
 it becomes important to abridge the expenses of the Government 
 to the lowest figure practicable in all its branches. 
 
 It is, at the same time, a matter of great importance to keep 
 up the necessary mail facilities, and in this, the important agen- 
 cy of the railroads of the country is essential, constituting, as 
 they do, the great lines of postal communication. 
 
 I shall ask the Congress, which is to meet on next Monday, to 
 give me authority to assume the direction of our postal service at 
 once. If this should be done, the Confederate States will, from 
 that time, become responsible for the payment of contractors for 
 the service. I shall also recommend the continuance of the ex- 
 isting contracts during the existing Provisional Government, and 
 ask for power to abolish and curtail the service whenever it can 
 be done with propriety. 
 
 The interruption of our social and commercial relations with 
 the people of the Northern States and their great commercial 
 cities, by the existing war, the abolition of the franking privilege 
 by our Government, and the probable discontinuance of the cir- 
 culation of a large number of newspapers and periodicals pub- 
 lished in those States, will very greatly reduce the bulk and 
 weight of the mails, and will, hence, render a corresponding re- 
 duction of the cost of the service proper; while the probable 
 trials and embarrassments, through which we may expect to pass, 
 will render the strictest economy absolutely necessary. 
 
 I propose, therefore, to submit to you the question as to 
 whether the postal wants of the country may not be adequately 
 met by daily service on the principal raili'oad routes, in lieu of 
 the present more expensive double daily service on some of them, 
 and i such a reduction will be agreeable to companies now car- 
 rying the mails twice a day. 
 
 I propose, also, to submit to you the question as to whether it 
 will be agreeable to the railroad companies for the railroad ser- 
 vice to be arranged in three classes, and fur those of the first 
 class to accept for their services in carrying the mails once a day, 
 upon schedules to be agreed on, a sum not exceeding one hun- 
 dred and fifty dollars per mile ; those of the second class, a sum 
 not exceeding one hundred dollars per mile ; and those of the 
 third class, a sura not exceeding fifty dollars per mile. This 
 classification to be arranged on the basis of making the great 
 
15 
 
 through connecting lines between important points, class number 
 one; completed roads, connecting less important points, but car- 
 rying heavy mails for local distribution, to compose class two ; 
 and roads on which less important mails are conveyed, short 
 branch roads, and such unfinished roads as do not carry great 
 mails, or connect important points, to compose the third class. 
 
 I also submit to you the quOvStion as to whether it will be agree- 
 able to the companies you represent to accept the bonds of the 
 Confederate States, in whole or in part payment for this service. 
 
 The Depirtment would gladly avail itself of the opportunity 
 presented, by the presence of so large and respectable a number 
 of railroad Presidents and representatives, of soliciting sugges- 
 tions on any other subject connected with this important branch 
 of the postal service. 1 beg also to assure you that it is the 
 wish of the Department to have a free, full and cordial under- 
 standing with all the railroad companies in relation to all matters 
 connected with the postal service. 
 
 Tendering you my sincere thanks for the trouble and expense 
 you have assumed in visiting this city, at my request, I beg to 
 subscribe myself, 
 
 "With the greatest respect, gentlemen, . 
 
 Your obliged and obedient serv'nt, 
 
 JOHN H. REAGAN, 
 
 Postmaster General. 
 
 To the Convention of the Presidents and Representatives of 
 Railroad Companies, ^c, ^^c. 
 
 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE RAILROAD CONVENTION. 
 
 The committee, to whom was referred the communication of 
 the Postmaster General, with the various resolutions belore the 
 Convention, having considered the same, beg to submit the fol- 
 lowing resolutions as the result of their deliberations: 
 
 1st. Resolved, That the Railroad Companies here represented, 
 until they are forbidden by the Confederate States, deem it to 
 be their duty faithfully to discharge their obligations and con- 
 tracts with the Government of the United States for carrying 
 the mails, so long as that Government faithfully performs and 
 fulfils the obligations cntereil into on its behalf. 
 
 2nd. Renolvcd, That immediately upon the failure or refusal 
 of the Government of the United States to discharge its part of 
 the contracts, entered into between that Government and the 
 companies here represented, the latter stand ready and willing 
 at once to transfer their services to the Government of the Con- 
 
16 
 
 federate States, and enter into immediate obligations for the 
 transportation of the public mails wit lin the limits of the Con- 
 federate States, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter stated. 
 
 3d. Rettolvfd, That this Convention concurs in the proposition 
 of the Postmaster-(7eneral for one daily service on the principal 
 roads, in lieu of the present double daily service on some of 
 them. 
 
 4th. Besohed, That in the opinion of this Convention, the 
 Railroads" service should be distributed into four classes, as nearly 
 as possible, based upon the following consideration^ : 
 
 Class number one to consist of the great through connecting 
 lines between important points, whether transported by day or by 
 night. 
 
 Class number two to consist of completed roads connecting less 
 important points, but carrying heavy mails for local distribution, 
 including also night-service. 
 
 Class number three to consist of similar roads, whether com- 
 pleted or not, performing no night service. 
 
 Class number four to consist of roads on which less important 
 mails are carried, short branch-roads, and other Railroads not in- 
 cluded in either of the other classes. 
 
 5th. Resolved further^ That for Class No. 1, shall be paid not 
 more than two hundred dollars per mile; Class No. 2, not more 
 than one hundred and fifty dollars ; Class No. 3, not more than 
 one hundred dollars ; Class No. 4, not more than fifty dollars per 
 mile — the precise amount in each case to be agreed on with the 
 Postmaster-General. 
 
 Gth. He.solved, however^ That in view of the condition of our 
 public affairs, this Convention is willing to meet the views of the 
 Postmaster-General proposing diflorcnt classes of mail-service, 
 and less compensation than that which, in the opinion of this 
 Convention, in a period of peace and general prosperity, ought to 
 be allowed ; and that, therefore, during the period of the Provisional 
 Government, and for such further time as the exigencies of the 
 country may make it necessary, the companies, here represented, 
 will submit to the classes of mail-service, and the compensation 
 stated in the communication of the Postmaster-General, with the 
 single exception that additional compensation may be made for 
 night service ; and they will agree to receive the bonds of tho 
 Confederate States, in payment therefor, to the extent that a de- 
 ficiency in the revenues of the Post-Office Department may 
 require. 
 
 (th. Resolved, That the companies here represented, cannot, 
 in any new contracts they may make, undertake to deliver the 
 mails at the post-offices. 
 
 [Signed] . WILLIAM JOHNSTON, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
17 
 
 I append to this Report the names of the several railroads 
 represented in this Convention, and of the persons representing 
 them, marked (Appendix G.) And also a list of the roads per- 
 forming double daily service and the rates of pay per mile ; roads 
 performing daily service at two hundred dollars, and upwards, 
 per mile ; roads which receive less than two hundred, and more 
 than one hundred, dollars per mile ; roads which receive one hun- 
 dred dollars per mile ; roads which receive less than one hundred, 
 and.more than fifty, dollars per mile; roads which receive fifty 
 dollars per mile ; and roads which receive less than fifty dollars 
 per mile, with the mean or average-rate of compensation of each 
 class, hereto annexed and marked (Appendix H,) 
 
 It is proper to say that, under existing law, the railroads are 
 rated in three classes for postal-service, and that the maximum 
 pay per mile allowed the first class is three hundred dollars. 
 The maximum pay suggested by me, and so promptly arvd gene- 
 rously accepted by the Convention, amounts to but one-htilf that 
 sura, unless increased by night-service, and will secure a very 
 considerable reduction of the cost of the service. The principle 
 on which I have proposed to classify the roads which, for the time 
 being, has been assented to by the Convention, is believed to be more 
 specific and intelligible than that adopted in the existing law. 
 The Convention, while presenting a classification of their own, 
 and suggesting rates of pay differing in §ome respects from those 
 suggested by me, agree, by their resolutions, to waive, for the 
 present, any demand for what they regard as a full rate of com- 
 pensation, and to accept that suggested by me, but limit their 
 consent to the duration of the Provisional Government, and for 
 such further time as the exigencies of the country may make this 
 concession necessary. 
 
 To carry out and render effective the foregoing understanding, 
 and that the Department may have the authority of law for ap- 
 plying the same rules to all other railroad companies. Congress 
 should ailopt the above, or some other equivalent classification of 
 roads, and should fix the rates of compensation specified for the 
 several classes. 
 
 While I ask that this be done to meet the present necessities, 
 I am not prepared to say but that the higher rates of pay men- 
 tioned by the Railroad Convention would be proper, if the coun- 
 try was in a state of peace and prosperity. But of this the 
 Congress will be better qualified to judge, as I cannot claim a 
 great amount of information on the subject. 
 
 I cannot close my reference to this subject, without expressing 
 my grdat gratification that so large a number of the business 
 men and capitalists of all parts of the country should have re- 
 sponded so promptly to a call on them to make a pecuniary sacri- 
 fice for themselves and the companies they represented, in order 
 3 
 
18 
 
 to sustain the Government in the hour of its embarrassment and 
 trial, and expressing the hope that, if it be found in future that 
 their generous and patriotic action has been such as to impose 
 undue burdens on them, the Government ma}', in more auspicious 
 times, remember the circumstances under which this sacrifice was 
 made. 
 
 It is believed, if Congress shall give the Department the au- 
 thority, bj allowing it to curtail and discontinue "the service in 
 proper cases, that very considerable reductions can be made in 
 the cost of steamboat and steamship-service. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN H. REAGAN, 
 
 Postmaster-General. 
 
APPENDIX A. 
 
 Confederate States, "j 
 
 Post-Office Department^ > 
 
 MoNTGOxMERY, Ala., April 23, 1861. j 
 
 ^Tow. John R. Reagan^ Postmaster-General : 
 
 Str : I have the honor to report that I assumed the duties of 
 the Chief of the Contract Bureau of this Department on the 22(1 
 of March last, and took immediate steps for its organization and 
 the prompt preparation of the proper books and circular letters, 
 and for obtaining, at the earliest practicable period, the necessary 
 supplies of blanks, postage stamps, stamped envelopes, mail-locka 
 and keys, rating stamps, and canvass and leather mail-bags ; and 
 beg leave to submit the following exhibit of the chief labors 
 accomplished, namely: 
 
 Seven contract-books have been completed, exhibiting, in the 
 form prescribed by law, every post-route in the Confederate 
 States, together with the cost of the present mail-service on each 
 route within the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and 
 Texas, the location of each post-office thereon, together with the 
 schedules of arrivals and departures. For the States of South 
 Carolina, Georgia and Florida, I have not the means at present 
 of presenting the amounts paid for mail transportation upon each 
 route ; but all other information in regard to the routes therein, 
 is entered in the contract-books, and I have no doubt that I will be 
 able to obtain the cost of service on each route within a brief period 
 of time. Books are now being prepared, and will be completed by 
 the meeting of Congress, exhibiting the offices in each of the Con- 
 federate States, in alphabetical order, and the number of the 
 post-route or routes from which they obtain their supplies, together 
 with the amount of the postal revenues of each during the fiscal 
 year ending June oOth, 1859 ; so that the number and postal 
 value of all offices on these routes can be determined with suffi- 
 cient accuracy to enable you to decide upon the propriety of 
 their continuance, or the necessity of an increased or diminished 
 service, and also the number and postal value of all the offices 
 supplied by ^'speciaV mail and '■'• mail-messayiger'' service, not 
 unrler contract, or on the regular post-roads established by law. 
 
 Advertisements, inviting proposals f6r supplying this Depart- 
 ment with blanks, postage-stamps, stamped ienvelopes, rating- 
 
20 
 
 stamps, mail-locks and keys, wrappinjT paper, twine, and canvass 
 and leather mail- baps, were prepared March llihh last, and in- 
 serted in papers published at such points, both within and with- 
 out the Confcilcrate States, as were deemed necessary to obtain 
 these supp'ies, and the proper competition to secure the best 
 articles upon the be-^t an<l cheapest terms. 
 
 The bids for these supplies will be opened at the Department 
 on the Ist proximo. 
 
 I have succeeded in making a contract, upon terms advan- 
 tageous to the Department, for supplying it promptly with the 
 various circular-letters, which the immense number of analogous 
 cases, arising in the Department, enable it to use in lieu of manu- 
 script letters, to a great extent; also, bonds and oaths of office 
 of postmasters, commissions, contracts, &c., and papers for the 
 same. 
 
 I have prepared, and submit herewith, statements exhibiting, 
 in detail, the organization of the various Bureaus of the Post- 
 Oflice Department, and of the Auditor's Office for that Depart- 
 ment, as they exist at Washington, D. C, together with a plan 
 for their organization in the Confederate States. 
 
 In accordance with the provisions of the 39th section of an 
 Act, approved 3d March, 1825, I submit, herewith, copies of the 
 various mail-routes within the States of Alabama, Mississippi, 
 Louisiana and Texas, which do no-t produce one third of the ex- 
 pense of carrying the mail on the same. Routes of a similar 
 character, doubtless, exist in the other Cmfederate States, but I 
 am unable to present them at this time, but will do so at the 
 earliest period practicable. 
 
 I have bestowed as much time and attention as I could com- 
 mand on such a revision of the post-routes within the Confede- 
 rate States, as wouhl enable you " to form the best judgment 
 practicable as to the mode, time, and frequency of transportation 
 on each route, before advertising for proposals for carrying the 
 mails" thereon; and have prepared and issued numerous letters 
 of inquiry in relation to the postal- service on existing routes. 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 H. St. GEORGE OFFUTT, 
 Chief of the Contract Bureau. 
 
 I. 
 
 CHIEF CLERK. 
 
 The Chief Clerk of the Department, (salary $1500,) will keep 
 the journal of the Postma-ster General, recording therein all let- 
 ters and reports to which his signature is attached, in addition to 
 
21 
 
 the duties enjoined upon him by the provisions of the 13th sec- 
 tion of an Act, approved 2Gth August, 1842. — U. S. Laws vol. 
 5th, page 525. 
 
 CONTRACT OFFICE, POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT. 
 
 To this office is assigned the business of arranging the mail 
 service of the United States, and placing the same under con- 
 tract, embracing all correspondence and proceedings respecting 
 the frequency of trips, mode of conveyance, and times of depar- 
 ^tures and arrivals on all the routes; the course of the mail be- 
 tween the different sections of the country, the points of mail 
 distribution, and the regulations for the Government of the do- 
 mestic mail service of the United States. It prepares the adver- 
 tisements for mail proposals, receives the bids, and takes charge 
 of the annual and occasional mail lettings, and the adjustment 
 and execution of the contracts. All applications for the estab- 
 lishment or alteration of mail arrangements, and the appointment 
 of mail messengers, should be sent to this office. All claims 
 should be submitted to it for transportation service not under 
 contract, as the recognition of said service is first to be obtained 
 through the Contract Office as a necessary authority for the 
 proper credits at the Auditor's Office. From this office, all 
 postmasters at the ends of routes receive the statement of mail 
 arrangements, prescribed for the respective routes. It makes a 
 weekly report to the Auditor of all contracts executed, accom- 
 panied by the contracts, and of all orders affecting accounts for 
 mail transportation ; prepares the statistical exhibits of the mail 
 service, and the reports of the mail-lettings, giving a statement 
 of each bid: also, of the contracts made, the new service ori'^'i- 
 nated, the curtailments ordered, and the additional allowances 
 granted within the year. 
 
 Tlie discharge of these multifarious and responsible duties are 
 entrusted to a corps of officers, organized and classified in the 
 following order, viz : 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF THE CONTRACT OFFICE IN THE DEPARTMENT 
 AT WASHINGTON. 
 
 One Chief of the Contract Bureau, originally styled the Ist 
 Assistant Postmaster General, but, from and after the year 1852, 
 styled the 2nd Assistant — salary $3000. 
 
 One Principal Clerk, E. L. Childs, salary $1800, whose prin- 
 cipal duty, in addition to the general supervision of the business, 
 is the arrangement of the mail service, by means of distributing 
 and separating offices at points of railway radiation and termini; 
 
22 
 
 and the preparation of instructions to postmasters and contractors 
 for insuring the prompt transmission of the mails. 
 Ten contract clerks at salaries of $ltJuO : 
 
 James N. Davis, in charge of the roates ia Oeo., S C, Ala. & Fla. 
 
 Job. U Wheat. " " " Mi?«., La . Ark. & Texas. 
 
 Jo.^eph Quickf^ftll, " " " Ti-nn.. Ky., Mo. & Iowa. 
 
 W. J. Crandall, " •' " Illinois & Miohipan 
 
 Wm. Slemmer, •* " '* Virginia & North Carolina. 
 
 Louis Watkins, " *' •' Pcnn., M<1 & New Jersey. 
 
 J. E. Peebles, (resigned) •* " " Ohio & Indiana. 
 
 T. D D. Leech, " " " N. Y., Cal., Oregon A Utah. 
 
 R. T. McLean, " " '« New England States. 
 
 Mr. Shields, assistant to W. J. Crandall, " Illiuois k Michigan. | 
 
 Four route-book clerks at salaries of $1400: 
 
 J. M. Miller, 4th Contract section. 
 
 Mr. King, 8rd •' '« 
 
 Mr. Dundass, 2nd " *' 
 
 Mr Colt, 1st " 
 
 (See page 111 of Department Regulations.) 
 
 The chief duties of these clerks are to examine the ^^ orders" 
 in regard to changes of mail service, and, if found correct, to 
 enter them upon the Contract-Books, send out circular-forms of 
 schedules of service and instructions to postmasters and contract- 
 ors, in regard to changes of service and discontinuances of oflices, 
 and to aid in the general labor of opening and preparing bids 
 for mail-service, at the annual mail-lettings, for the decision of 
 the Postmaster General. 
 
 One Topographer, Ily. A. Burr, (salary $1800,) and one as- 
 sistant, (salary ^1200,) whose duty is to make correct drawings, 
 representing the various post routes and locations of offices, with 
 their distances from each other; to examine all cases prepared in 
 the Appointment Office for the establishment of new post-offices, 
 in order to determine the propriety of its establishment, by de- 
 termining its location and distance from tlie nearest post-office, 
 and the route from which it is to obtain its n. ail-supply, if on a 
 post road, and the name of the post-ollice from wliich supplies 
 are to be obtained, if the new office is to be a " special " or mail- 
 messenger office. 
 
 One Report Clerk, Arthur Marr, (salary $1400,) wlio records 
 all orders of the Postmaster-General in relation to niail contracts, 
 and prepares special orders to be furnislied to the Auditor, at in- 
 tervals between the regular periods of making weekly reports of 
 orders. 
 
 One Miscellaneous Clerk, Cranston Lawrie, salary $1(300, who 
 prepares statistical tables of mail service, &c., and the annual 
 reports to Congress of contracts made, and new service origina- 
 
23 
 
 ted, 'the curtailments ordered, and the additional allowances 
 granted within the year. 
 
 One clerk, William Bell, (salary $2000,) in charge of the ser- 
 vice on important railroad routes, who also disburses the money 
 appropriated for the salaries and contingent expenses of the De- 
 partment, and is the Superintendant of the Post-office Building. 
 
 Two clerks, Mr. Spottswood and Mr. Dunn, (salaries 
 $1400,) who prepare duplicate contracts for all mail-service 
 under contract, and send them out to accepted bidders for exe- 
 cution, and, when returned to the Department properly executed 
 by the contractor and sureties, present them to the Postmaster- 
 General for his signature, after obtaining which, one of the con- 
 tracts is filed in the Contract-Office, and the other, accompanied 
 by a report in tabular form, is sent to the Auditor, in compliance 
 with the provisions of the 11th section of an Act, approved 2nd 
 July, 1836. 
 
 Three " Letter Book " Clerks, Messrs. Taylor, Johnson and 
 Warren, (salaries $1200.) 
 
 Total number of Clerks, 26. 
 
 PROPOSED ORGANIZATION OF THE CONTRACT BUREAU OP THE 
 CONFEDERATE STATES. 
 
 One Chief of the Contract Bureau, at an annual salary of 
 $ , on whom, in case of the death, resignation, removal or 
 absence, of the Postmaster-General, all his powers and duties 
 shall devolve for the time being. 
 
 In addition to the general supervision and management of the 
 domestic postal service, to the Chief of the Bureau is likewise 
 assigned the supervision of the Ocean Mail Steamship lines, and 
 of the foreign and international postal arrangements. 
 
 One Principal Clerk at a salary of $ , to assist the Chief 
 of the Bureau in the supervision and management of the Bureau 
 and to revise labors of the several clerks, as provided by the 13th 
 section of an Act, approved 26th August, 1842, — 5th Statutes at 
 Large, page 525. 
 
 Four clerks in charge of the " Contract Books," at salaries of 
 $ each, who shall, in addition to the duties discharged by the 
 Contract Clerk at Washington, discharge all the duties pertain- 
 ing to the four Route Book Clerks at Washington. 
 
 Two clerks, at salaries of $ each, one of whom shall re- 
 
 cord the orders of the Postmaster-General, and assist the other 
 in copying the letters prepared in the Bureau. 
 
 One Topographer, at a salary of $ , whose duty, in addi- 
 tion to the preparation of maps and diagrams of mail-routes 
 shall be to prepare the statistical tables of mail-service. 
 
 One clerk to prepare the Contracts for mail service, and issue 
 
• 24 
 
 them to contractors to be executed, and, when returned, to revise 
 and present them to tlie Postmaster-General for his signature, 
 and then to report them to the Auditor, together with a dupli- 
 cate of each. 
 
 Total number of clerks, under proposed organization, 9. 
 
 Total number, under organization at Washington, 26. 
 
 II. 
 APrOINTMENT OFFICE. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OFFICE OF THE POST-OFFICB 
 DEPARTMENT *AT WASHINGTON, D. C. 
 
 This office is now in charge of the First Assistant Postmaster 
 General, (salary ^oOjO,) and to it are assigned all (juestiona 
 which relate to the estal)lishmcnt and discontinuance of post- 
 offices, changes of sites and names, appointment and removal of 
 postmasters and route and local agents; as, also, the giving of 
 instructions to postmasters in relation to postal laws, and obtain- 
 ing from them proper bonds for the faithful discharge of the du- 
 ties of their offices. Postmasters are furnished by this Bureau 
 with blanks, marking and rating stamps, and letter-balances. 
 
 To this office is also assigned the supervision of the Ocean 
 Mail Steamship service, and of the foreign and international pos- 
 tal arrangements. 
 
 One Principal Clerk, (salary ^1800,) who has a general super- 
 vision of the business of the Bureau, and assists in the correa- 
 dance with postmasters. 
 
 Nine Corresponding Clerks, who receive all letters and papers 
 in relation to post-office establishments, discontinuances, appoint- 
 ments, &c., and furnish instructions to postmasters in relation to 
 the postal affairs of their offices. 
 
 Five clerks are employed in the "Bond Room " in the entry 
 of all appointments of postmasters, and changes of various kinds 
 in the names and locations of post-offices, in Registers arranged 
 alphabetically, geographically, and by counties in States. All 
 bonds of postmasters and commissions, except those to post- 
 masters appointed by the President, are issued and registered by 
 these clerks, and weekly reports of appointments and changes 
 made by the Postmaster-General, are prepared in this division 
 for the use of the Auditor, and of the Contract and Finance 
 Bureaus. 
 
 One Miscellaneous Clerk in charge of route and special agents' 
 papers, and of the Register of Presidential appointments and 
 commissions. 
 
One Letter-Book Clerk, who records all letters written by the 
 Bureau. 
 
 One clerk in charge of the supplies of blanks and marking 
 and rating stamps, for the use of the post-offices, with an assist- 
 ant who prepares tiiem for the mail. 
 
 One clerk in charge of the foreign postal arrangements, and 
 of the contracts for Ocean Mail Steamship service. 
 
 Twenty clerks: Salaries, one at $1800 per annum. 
 
 eleven at ^lUOO " 
 
 four at $1400 " 
 
 four at il-00 " 
 
 One messenger at $ 840 " 
 
 PROPOSED ORQANIZATIOM OF THE APPOINTMENT OFFICE OF THE 
 CONFEDERATE STATES. 
 
 A Chief of the Appointment Office, salary $ 
 
 One Principal Clerk to perform duties similar to those per- 
 formed by the Principal Clerk at the Department in Washington, 
 D. C, salary $ 
 
 ■ Two Corresponding Clerks in charge of papers pertaining to 
 post offices, and instructions to postmasters : salaries $ 
 
 One Letter Book Clerk, who shall also perform the duties of 
 the Miscellaneous Clerk : salary $ 
 
 Two clerks in charge of the duties pertaining to " the Bond 
 Room :" salaries $ . 
 
 One clerk to receive and distribute the blanks and marking 
 and rating stamps : salary § 
 
 Seven clerks. 
 
 III. 
 INSPECTION OFFICE. 
 
 ORQANIZATION OP THE INSPECTION OFFICE OF THE POST-OFFICE 
 DEPARTMENT AT WASHINGTON. 
 
 To this office is assigned the duty of receiving and examining 
 the registers of the arrivals and departures of the mails, certifi- 
 cates of the service of Route Agents, and reports of mail fail- 
 ures; of noting the delinquencies of contractors, and preparing 
 cases thereon for the action of the Postmaster-General ; furnish- 
 ing blanks for mail-registers, and reports of mail failures; pro- 
 viding and sending out mail bags, and mail locks and keys, and 
 4 
 
26 
 
 doing all other thinps necessary to secure a faithful and exact 
 
 performance of all mail contnicls. 
 
 All cases of mail depredation, of violation of law bv private 
 expresses, or by the forging or illegal use of postage stamps, are 
 under the suftervision of this office and are reported to it. 
 
 The Chief Clerk of the Department is the head of this Bureau: 
 salary $J20(I. 
 
 Une Principal Clerk (salary ?1800,) who has special charge of 
 the cases of mail deprtdation, and violations of postal laws. 
 
 One clerk assists him in the preparation an<l management of 
 these cases : salary $loUO. 
 
 Eleven clerks are engaged in the discharge of duties pertain- 
 ing to the mail service, indicated in the enumeration of the du- 
 ties of the Bureau. 
 
 One clerk prepares the reports of fines and deductions, for the 
 use of the Auditor, and opens and distributes the mails received 
 at the Department. 
 
 Two clerks in charge of the Letter-Books, and record therein 
 all letters written by the Bureau. 
 
 Two clerks in charge of the distribution of the mail bags, and 
 mail locks and keys. 
 
 One clerk in charge of the service performed by lloute 
 Agents. 
 
 One Journal Clerk who records all orders of the Postmaster- 
 General, affecting the accounts of the Department, or ap|iointing 
 a postmaster or establishing an office, <S:c., at the following sala- 
 ries : 
 
 One Chief Clerk of Department, $2200 
 
 One Principal Clerk, $lrtOO 
 
 Two clerks at §1G00 
 
 Eleven clerks at $1400 
 
 Five clerks at $l200 
 
 Total number, twenty. 
 
 PROPOSED ORGANIZATION OF THE INSPECTION OFFICE OF THE 
 POBT-OFFICK DEPAKTMEKT OF THE CONFEDERATE BTATES. 
 
 The supervision and management of the business of the office 
 to be under the control of the Chief of the Appointment Bureau, 
 assisted by, 
 
 One Principal Clerk at a salary of $ , whose special duty 
 shall be the investigation and direction of cases of mail depreda- 
 tion and violations of postal laws. 
 
 Three clerks in charge of the mail-service. 
 
 One Letter-Book Clerk to record the letters of the office. 
 
, 27 
 
 One clerk in charge of the receipt and distribution of the 
 mail-bags and mail-locks and keys, and of the service perlormed 
 by route agents. 
 
 Total number of clerks, six. 
 
 FINANCE OFFICE. 
 
 WITH DETAILED STATEMENT OF ITS ORGANIZATION AS IT EX- 
 ISTS AT WASHINGTON, AND EXHIBIT OF ITS DUTIES. 
 
 The Third Assistant Postmaster-General, whose duties embrace 
 the general supervision of the duties of the Bureau, the affixing 
 of his signature to all letters written by the clerks, and to all 
 orders for postmasters to pay over the proceeds of their offices 
 to contractors and to all drafts drawn on draft-offices in payment 
 of balances due by the Post-Office Department; the making of con- 
 tracts for supplies of postage-stamps and stamped envelopes ; the 
 preparation of letters or circulars to postmasters, requiring the 
 prompt rendition of accounts, and of the various reports of 
 amounts suhject to drafts; the supervision and management of 
 the Dead Letters, and of their contents, and of all correspon- 
 dence in relation thereto ; the furnishing of postage-stamps and 
 stamped envelopes to postmasters, and the preparation of all esti- 
 mates of receipts and expenditures of the Department. His 
 salary, $H,000. 
 
 One Principal Clerk (salary ^1,800), assists the Head of Bu- 
 reau in the general supervision and arrangement of the financial 
 business of the Department, and keeps a summary cash account 
 with the Treasurer of the United States, and the Assistant Trea- 
 surer, and records the sums subject to the warrant of the Post- 
 master-General, together with the designation, upon the reports 
 of tlie Auditor, of sums due to persons by the Department on 
 accounts, for the payment of which appropriation has been made, 
 and the funds actually in the Treasury to make said payments. 
 
 One clerk, salary ^l,tJOO, issues all warrants in payment of 
 balances, taking a full description of each one, in margin, of the 
 " warrant register." The number of warrants issued during the 
 fiscal year ending June oOth, 1860, was 9,606. 
 
 One clerk, salary $1,600, keeps a summary cash account with 
 all of the draft-officers (8-12 in number), obtaining from them 
 monthly or quarterly statements of the amount subject to draft, 
 and noting upon the Auditor's reports of balances due by the De- 
 partment, the name of the post-office and postmaster upon whom 
 the dratts on which are to be issued, taking care to ascertain the 
 
most convenient draft office to the residence of the contractors or 
 other persons to be paid, and, at the same time, to avoid an ac- 
 cumulation of money at any oOice. 
 
 One clerk (salary $1400) keeps a summary cash account with 
 all offices, under orders to deposit (juarterly, or oftener, their 
 revenues with some depositary, or in the Treasury, obtaining from 
 the quarterly returns of postmasters, and noting the balances due 
 to the Department at the end of each quarter, and obtaining cer- 
 tific;»tes of deposit of a like sum ; and, in the event of failures to 
 deposit, to correspond with postmasters in relation thereto, and, 
 if satisfactory answers are not obtained, to prepare a report of 
 the delinquency for the action of the Appointment Officer. 
 
 One clerk (salary $1400) keeps a register containing the 
 names of all contractors for transportation of the mails — the 
 number of each route, and the amounts of contract pay per quar- 
 ter — records therein all orders of the rostmaster-Gencral aflL-ct- 
 ing the pay, and making a careful comparison of the Auditor's 
 report, presenting the quarterly adjustment of the contractors' 
 accounts, with the entries in his register, and, if found correct, 
 to make a note to indicate that the report of the Auditor has 
 been received, compared, examined and delivered to the "Draft" 
 or Warrant Clerk for paymf^nt. 
 
 One clerk (salary §1400) records all letters written by the 
 Finance Bureau. 
 
 DEAD LETTER DIVISION. 
 
 One clerk (salary $1600) receives all foreign dead letters, and 
 makes full accounts of the postage unpaid thereon, or charged to 
 the Foreign or Home Government, and prepares accurate copies 
 thereof for transmission, together with the letters unopened, to 
 the government from whence they come, in order that the proper 
 credits and debits may be made in the postal accounts under the 
 various postal treaties. 
 
 Three clerks (salaries $1200) are employed in receiving and 
 opening the quarterly returns of postmasters, which are com- 
 posed of the account-current, &c., as fully set forth in chapters 
 No. 19, 20 and 21, of the regulations. The accounts-current are 
 handed by them to 
 
 One clerk (salary $1200), who records, in books^fprepared for 
 the purpose, the balance due to the United States, as exhibited 
 by the postmasters, at all offices, from the letter A to L, inclu- 
 sive ; and to 
 
 One clerk (salary' $1200), who discharges the same duty in re- 
 lation to all offices embraced between the letter M and Z, inclu- 
 sive. 
 
It is the duty of these clerks to make a careful comparison, 
 quarterly, with the "receiving" books of the Auditor, in order 
 to ascertain whether any accounts had passed to the Auditor 
 witnout being noted in the Department, and then they call upon 
 all postmasters, from whom accounts have not been received, to 
 render them at once, and, in the event of failure to p'omptly 
 comply with the demand, to make a report of the delinquents to 
 the Appointment Office. 
 
 The quarterly accounts are then passed to 
 
 Two clerks (salary $1400 each), who separate the ''^ dead let- 
 ters" and compare them with the "dead letter post bill," in order 
 to determine the correctness thereof, and to note thereon the 
 amount of unpaid postage charged to the postmaster, and for 
 which he claims credit as uncollected. 
 
 The quarterly returns are then delivered by messengers to the 
 Receiving Clerks of the Auditor's office for the Post-Office De- 
 partment. 
 
 The "dead letters," with the exception of those from foreign 
 governments, are delivered to 
 
 Seven clerks, one clerk (salary $1400), four clerks (salaries 
 $1200 each), two clerks, temporary, ($600 each), who open them 
 and lay aside all which contain valuables or valuable papers, re- 
 cords, court papers, bills of exchange, &c. &c., all of which are 
 then delivered to 
 
 One clerk (salary $1600), and one clerk (salary $ ), who 
 register in suitable books all letters containing m >ney, and who 
 also use all diligence to restore the funds, and other valuables, to 
 the owners thereof. 
 
 Two clerks (salaries $1400 and $1200) conduct the corres- 
 pondence in relation to dead letters of importance. 
 
 Two clerks (salaries $1400) conduct the correspondence in re- 
 lation to letters containing daguerreotypes and jewelry. 
 
 Three clerks (salaries $1200 each) open and correspond in re- 
 lation to letters held for postage or illegible direction, or misdi- 
 rection. 
 
 POSTAGE STAMPS AND STAMPED ENVELOPE DIVISION. 
 
 One clerk (salary $1200) receives the daily orders of postmas- 
 ters for supplies of stamps and envelopes, and make an examina- 
 tion of the revenues of the office ordering supplies, and the 
 amount on hand at the end of the preceding quarter, &c., with a 
 view to preventing improper demands for stamps, and the im- 
 proper sale of them by postmasters. After the proper exami- 
 nation has been made, the number and variety of stamps and 
 envelopes ordered is marked prominently at the foot of the or- 
 der, and then it is passed to 
 
One clerk (salary $1400), who copies the order on sheets pre- 
 pared, for the purpose of enubliiif^ the contractor for furnishing 
 stamps and envelopes to determine the amount, number and 
 rates ordered for each office. 
 
 Letter-press copies of these sheets are then made, and the 
 orij^inai is signed by the Finance Officer and transmitted to the 
 contractor. 
 
 Each order is entered in ledgers arranged in alphabetical or- 
 der, so as to show the amount sent to each office quarterly. 
 These ledgers are kept by 
 
 Four clerks (salaries 31-00 each), and, at the end of each 
 quarter, all of the receipts for supplies are entered in the appro- 
 priate column; and, if receipts have not been received, "dufili- 
 cates" are sent to be signed and returned, and then the leHgera 
 and vouchers are delivered to the Stamp Clerks of the Auditor's 
 office, in order that the proper entries may be made in the ac- 
 counts of postmasters, and the vouchers filed with the quarterly 
 returns to winch they pertain. All claims for stamps and en- 
 velopes stated to have been destroyed, or not received, are re- 
 quired to be sustained before the head of the Finance Office, but 
 claims for stamps and envelopes, stated to have been stolen or 
 lost after their receipt by the postmaster, are rejected. 
 
 The daily orders are half-bound in boards, and kept in chrono- 
 logical order for reference. 
 
 There are four messengers and laborers attached to the Bu- 
 reau. 
 
 Total number of clerks, thirty-six; and messengers and labo- 
 rers, four. 
 
 FINANCE BUREAU. 
 
 PROPOSED ORGANIZATION OF THE FINANCE BUREAU OF THE 
 POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES. 
 
 Chief of Finance Bureau (salary $ ). 
 
 One principal clerk (salary $ ), to have charge of the de- 
 pository accounts and draft book. 
 
 One clerk (salary $ ), to take charge of the accounts to 
 Depositing Officer, and to issue all warrants and drafts. 
 
 One clerk (salary $ ), to keep the register of contrac- 
 tors' pay, and the letter book of the Bureau. 
 
 DEAD LETTER DIVISION. 
 
 Two clerks (salary $ ), to open accounts, and enter the 
 quarterly proceeds. 
 
31 
 
 One clerk (salary $ ), to separate the dead letters from the 
 returns, and to brin^ together the miscellaneous parts of quar- 
 terly returns, &c. &c. 
 
 Two clerks ^salary $ each), to open dead letters. 
 
 One clerk to open letters held for postage, illegible direction, 
 and misdirection, and to send out and correspond in relation to 
 money letters. 
 
 Two clerks to correspond in relation to dead letters, and letters 
 containing daguerreotypes and jewelry. 
 
 STAMP DIVISION. 
 
 The orders for stamps and envelopes are to be attended to by 
 the Chief of the Bureau. 
 
 One clerk to copy the orders for stamps and stamped en- 
 velopes, and enter the duplicates in the stamp ledgers ; and 
 
 One clerk to enter the receipts of stamps and envelopes, and 
 call for the missing vouchers, and attend to other miscellaneous 
 matters connected with the division. 
 
 Thirteen clerks. 
 
 One messenger (salary $ ). 
 
 •v. 
 AUDITOR'S OFFICE. 
 
 WITH DETAILED STATEMENTS OF ITS ORGANIZATION AS IT EX- 
 ISTS AT WASHINGTON, AND EXHIBIT OF ITS PRINCIPAL DU- 
 TIES. 
 
 This Bureau was established by an act approved 2nd July, 
 1830 (U. S. Laws, vol. 4, p. 80), the 8th section of which pro- 
 vides for the appointment of an Auditor (at an annual salary, of 
 $3000), whose duty it shall be to receive all accounts arising in 
 the Post-Office Department, or relative tliereto, to audit and set- 
 tle the same, and certify their balances to the Postmaster-Gen- 
 eral ; provided that, if either the Postmaster-General, or any 
 person whose account shall be settled, be dissatisfied therewith, 
 he may, within twelve months, appeal to the First Comptroller of 
 the Treasury, whose decision shall be final and conclusive. 
 
 The said Auditor shall report to the Postmaster-General, when 
 required, the official forms of papers to be used by postmasters, 
 and other officers or agents concerned in its receipts and pay- 
 ments, and the manner and form of keeping and stating its ac- 
 counts. He shall keep and preserve all accounts with the vouch- 
 
82 
 
 ers, after settlement. lie ahall promptly report to the Postmas- 
 ter-General all delinquencies of postmasters in payinfj over the 
 proceeds of their ofhce?. lie shall close the accoutits quarterly, 
 and transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury qy,iirterly f^tate- 
 ments of its receipts and expenditures. He shall register, charge 
 and countersign all warrants upon the Treasury for receipts and 
 payments issued by the Postmaster-General, and when warranted 
 by law. lie shall perform such other duties in relation to the 
 financial. concerns of the Department, as shall be assigned to 
 him by the Secretary of the Treasury, and shall make to them 
 respectively such reports as either of them may require respect- 
 ing the same. 
 
 The 10th section provides "That the Auditor shall state and 
 certify quarterly to the Postmaster-General, accounts of the mo- 
 neys paid pursuant to appropriations, in each year, by postmas- 
 ters, out of the proceeds of tieir offices, towards the expenses of 
 the Department, under each of the heads of the said expenses 
 specified in the second section of this act, upon which the i'ost- 
 master-General shall issue warrants to the Treasurer of the 
 United States, as in case of the receipt and payment of the said 
 moneys into and out of the Treasury, in order that the same may 
 be carried to the credit and debit of the appropriation for the 
 service of the Post-Oflice Department on the books of the Audi- 
 tor for said Department." 
 
 The ilth section provides " That the Postmaster-General shall, 
 within sixty days after the making of any contract, cause a du[)li- 
 cate thereof to be lodged in the office of the Auditor of the Post- 
 Office Department. Upon the deatii, resignation or removal of 
 any postmaster, he shall cause his bond of office to be delivered 
 to the said Auditor; and shall also cause to be promptly certified 
 to him all establishments and discontinuances of post-offices, and 
 all appointments, deaths, resignations and removals of postmas- 
 ters, together with all orders and regulations which may origi- 
 nate a claim, or in any manner afifoct the accounts of the De- 
 partment." 
 
 The 14th section provides that " The Auditor for the Post- 
 Office Department siiall superintend the collection of all debts 
 due to the Department, and all penalties and forfeitures imposed 
 on postmasters for failing to make returns or pay over the pro- 
 ceeds of their offices ; he shall direct suits and legal proceedings, 
 and take all such measures as may be authorized by law, to en- 
 force the prompt payment of moneys due to the Department." 
 
 It will be seen, by these provisions of the law of ISiiB, that 
 the Auditor discharges the various duties, and possesses the same 
 powers which, in the other departments of the government, de- 
 volve upon an Auditor, Comptroller, Register, and Solicitor, and 
 constitute his Bureau one of the most important and responsible. 
 
* 83 
 
 The clerical force of this office numbers 118 (one hundred and 
 eighteen), and is arranged into six divisions, styled tlie Exam- 
 iners, Registers, Book-Keepers, Pay-Collecting and Miscel- 
 laneous. 
 
 One Chief Clerk (salary S2000) conducts the suits and corres- 
 pondence with the United States District Attorneys and Mar- 
 shals, and is charged with the general supervision of the business 
 of the office. 
 
 Six clerks receive the ledgers from the Finance Office, which 
 present the quarterly accounts of postage-stamps and stamped 
 envelopes furnished to postmasters, and transcribe the various 
 items into suitable books, for the purpose of entering these suras 
 upon the accounts-current of the postmasters, as they receive 
 them from the "Finance Office," as rapidly as they are opened 
 and delivered to thorn. After the proper entries have been made 
 by tiiese clerks, the accounts are then delivered to the Examin- 
 ers Division. Thirty-seven clerks are employed in the exami- 
 nation of the quarterly returns of postmasters, and, as rapidly 
 as they complete their adjustment, the accounts are delivered to 
 the Registers' Division. 
 
 Twelve clerks register in books prepared to exhibit analyti- 
 ically the various items of postal revenue and expenditures by 
 postmasters, and deliver to 
 
 Four "Error Clerks," all accounts in which, by the correc- 
 tions made by the Examiners, the balance due to the United 
 States have been increased more than fifty cents. Carefully pre- 
 pared copies of these accounts, as rendered to the Department, 
 and as audited, are furnished to the postmasters who committed 
 the errors, accompanied by suitable instructions to prevent a re- 
 currence of errors. 
 
 The registers, when completed, are delivered to the Book- 
 Keepers Division. 
 
 Thirteen clerks are employed in this division, the principal 
 book-keeper being charged with the adjustment of the general 
 accounts of the Department and of the appropriation ledgers. 
 Nine of the clerks have charge of the ledgers containing the 
 general accounts of postmasters ; and three clerks of those con- 
 taining the accounts of mail contractors^ route agents and spe- 
 cial agents. 
 
 TAY DIVISION. 
 
 Thirteen clerks are engaged in the adjustment of the accounts 
 of mail contractors and route agents. These accounts are kept 
 in books so arranged as to exhibit the names of the contractor 
 and ids pay per quarter; the names of the several post-offices 
 and postmasters on each route, and the amounts and dates of all 
 5 
 
84 
 
 paTTiicnt55 made by postraastcrs to the contractors at the end of 
 each quarter, upon what are styled "Collection Orders," which 
 are sent to contractors at the close of each quarter, upon such 
 oflRces upon their respective routes as can pay these orders their 
 entire balanco due to the United States without the probability of 
 overpavinji; the contractor. These payments being made for the 
 pums acknowledged by the postmasters to be due to the United 
 States, in advance, in many cases, of the receipt by the Depart- 
 ment of the account of the postmaster, and from sixty to ninety 
 days before the period fixed by the contracts for auditing and 
 paving the contractors' accounts, serves the double pur|)osc of 
 enabling the contractor to receive a considerable portion of his 
 earnings at the termination of each quarter, and relieves the post- 
 masters of the care and responsibility of the custody of the rev- 
 enues of the government, and at the same time removes the 
 temptation to misapply them to their private use. 
 
 The Department realizes about one-third of its revenues in this 
 manner. 
 
 Ten clerks are employed in the " MisceUaneous Division,'* 
 four of whom audit the accounts of the payments made by ape- 
 cial iind ^^ mail niessenger" post-offices for the transportation of 
 the mails to this class of offices. 
 
 Two clerks examine and enter in the Warrant and Draft 
 Registers all warrants and drafts issued by the Postmaster-Gen- 
 eral, and keep books exhibiting the amounts paid into the Trea- 
 sury by postmasters, under orders of the Postmastcr-GeneTal to 
 deposit their revenues with the Treasurer and Assistant Trea- 
 surers. 
 
 Two Letter-book Clerks are attached to this Division, who re- 
 cord all letters issued by the office ; and one clerk gives special 
 attention to reviewing and paying the accounts of late postmas- 
 ters, who have balances apparently due them by the government. 
 One clerk keeps alphabetical and chronological registers of the 
 names of postmasters, whose terms of office have terminated, 
 ■which registers exhibit all proceedings had in closing the ac- 
 counts, and form an index by which any account can be obtained 
 from the files without difficulty. 
 
 The Collecting Division gives employment to twenty-two 
 clerks, ^vc of whom correspond in relation to all items of contro- 
 versy between late, and present, postmasters and the Depart- 
 ment; and nine clerks prepare statements of accounts from the 
 ledgers, copies of which are furnished, as required, by three 
 clerks : one clerk issues the drafts for collection of balances due 
 to the United States, and otic clerk has charge of all the files of 
 papers and accounts ; and one clerk audits and pays all accounts 
 for advertising and miscellaneous expenses, and of special agents; 
 and two clerks audit the accounts between the United States and 
 
85 
 
 Foreign Governments under postal treaties. One of these clerks 
 also disburses the suras nppropriated for the payment of salaries, 
 and contingent expenses of the office. 
 
 Total number employed at Washington, 118. 
 
 Salaries of Clerks. 
 
 One Chief Clerk, - - - $2000 
 
 One Disbursing Clerk, who also adjusts the Foreign postal 
 
 accounts, ... - 2000 
 
 Five clerks, - - - • - . 1800 
 
 Twenty-five clerks, ... 1600 
 
 Fifty-five clerks, - - - 1400 
 
 Twenty-seven clerks, ... 1200 
 
 Four clerks transferred from other Bureaus, - 1200 
 
 One messenger, salary, _ - - 840 
 
 One assistant, " - - - 700 
 
 Nino laborers, " - - - 600 
 (Of whom five act as messengers.) 
 
 PROPOSED ORGANIZATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR OF 
 THE TREASURY FOR THE POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF THE 
 CONFEDERATE STATES. 
 
 An Auditor for the Post-Ofiice Department, salary $3000. 
 
 One Chief Clerk to supervise the business of the ofiice, and 
 conduct all suits and legal proceedings : salary §1500. 
 
 Three clerks to keep the postage-stamps and stamped en- 
 velopes account with postmasters, and receive the accounts-cur- 
 rent, compare the postage-stamp entries, and pass the quarterly 
 ''returns" to the Examiners: salary § 
 
 Seven clerks to examine and audit the "quarterly returns " of 
 postmasters, and prepare the notices of errors discovered : $ 
 
 Three clerks to register analytically the quarterly postal re- 
 ceipts and expenditures by postmasters: $ 
 
 One clerk to record the warrants and drafts issued, and to 
 keep the cash books of office: (salary) $ 
 
 Three clerks to keep the letlgers containing the accounts of 
 postmasters, contractors and others : (salary) $ 
 
 Three clerks to prepare statements of the accounts from the 
 ledgers, and furnish copies thereof to postmasters : salary $ 
 
 Two clerks to conduct the correspondence between the office 
 and postmasters in relation to disputed items of accounts in pro- 
 cess of adjustment, and collection of sums due to the Confederate 
 States : salary § ^ 
 
36 
 
 One clerk to issue the " Collection Drafts" and keep the al- 
 phabetical, chronological and geographical indexes to changes 
 of post-offices and postmasters : salary $ 
 
 Four clerks to au<lit and report to the Postmaster-General, for 
 payment, all accounts of mail-contractors and route-agents : 
 salary 3 
 
 One clerk to record the letters written by the Office, au'l to 
 audit and report for payment, the miscellaneous accounts: sala- 
 ry $ 
 
 One messenger : salary 3 
 
 One laborer : salary $ 
 
 Total number of clerks, 29. 
 
 ArPENDIX B. 
 
 Post-Office Department, \ 
 
 Montgomery^ April 23c^, 1861. j 
 
 Hon. John R. Reagnn^ Postmaster-General : 
 
 Sir : In compliance with your verbal request, I have the honor 
 to present the Ibllowing brief statement of the condition of the 
 Appointment Bureau of this Department: 
 
 I received my appointment on the 22d of March last, and at 
 once engaged in tbe preparation of the books, blanks and circu- 
 lar-letters required for the prompt discharge of the duties of 
 this Bureau, as soon as the Department shall assume the control 
 of the postal affairs of the Confederate States. The proper 
 books are fully prepared, and the blanks and circular-letters are 
 required, by contract, to be delivered at this Department on or 
 before the 28th instant. 
 
 Advertisements for proposals for furnishing the necessary 
 blanks for the use of the post-offices, were prepared and issued 
 by the Contract Bureau on the 28th ultimo ; and I have no doubt 
 that this division of the Department will be fully prepared to 
 discharge the various duties assigned thereto within a brief period 
 of time. The numerous letters of inquiry, addressed to this 
 branch of the Department, have been piomptly attended to, and 
 I have procured the necessary books and circulars for the use of 
 the Inspection Office, which, for the present, will be under my 
 direction. % 
 
37 
 
 The plan submitted by the Chief of the Contract Bureau for 
 the organization of the clerical force of this Bureau, and the In- 
 spection oflSce, I believe to be essential to the successful discharge 
 of the duties assigned thereto. 
 
 I have the honor to be, 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 B. N. CLEMENTS, 
 
 Chief of the Appointment Bureau. 
 
 APPENDIX C. 
 
 Post-Office Department,'! 
 
 Finance Bureau, > 
 
 Montgomery, April 23d, 1861. j 
 
 Sir: Since my appointment, April 5th, 1861, as Chief of the 
 Finance Bureau, its thorough organization has been nearly per- 
 fected. Prior to my instalment into office, the Chief of the Con- 
 tract Bureau had published proposals for furnishing the Depart- 
 ment with stamps and stamped envelopes. The bids for these 
 contracts will be opened on the first day of May. All the neces- 
 sary books have been procured and are now ready for use. In a 
 very short time, a manufacturer will submit to me a design for 
 the warrants and drafts to be used by the Bureau, together with 
 proposals for furnishing the same. As soon as these stamps, 
 stamped-envelopes, warrants and drafts are procured, this Bureau 
 will be fully prepared to discharge its duties. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 JOHN L. HARRELL, 
 
 Chief of Finance Bureau. 
 
 To Hon. J. II. Reagan, Postmaster- General. 
 
HB 
 
 APrENDIX D. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER, 
 No. 2. 
 
 Post-Office Department, \ 
 Montgomery, , 1861. j 
 
 Sir : The Government of the Confederate States will not in- 
 terfere with any existing contracts, entered into between the 
 Government of the United States and the present contractors, 
 until it assumes the entire control of its postal affairs. This 
 course is rendered necessary by the utter impracticability of 
 mixing the employees of the two governments in the same 
 service. 
 
 The question as to whether the Government of the Confede- 
 rate States will assume any liability to present contractors before 
 it assumes the control of our postal affairs, involves the idea of 
 liability, on the part of this Government, for the obligations of 
 the United States, which cannot be entertained by this Depart- 
 ment. But if the Government of the United States should 
 abandon the mail-service in the Confe<lerato States before the 
 Department shall be organized and ready to enter into new con- 
 tracts, I am authorized to continue existing contracts provision- 
 a-lly? by proclamation, until new contracts can be entered into. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 JOHN H. REAGAN, 
 Postmaster-General. 
 
89 
 
 APPENDIX E. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER, 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Post- Office Department 
 Montgomery, — 
 
 :ent, \ 
 , 1861. j 
 
 Sir : All postmasters and other employees in the postal-ser- 
 vice are directed to continue the performance of their respective 
 duties as such, and render all their accounts, and pay all moneys 
 to the order of the Government of the United States, as they 
 have heretofore done, until the Government of the Confederate 
 States shall be prepared to assume the entire control of its postal 
 affairs. 
 
 The Congress of the Confederate States has, by an Act, ap- 
 proved March 15th, 1861, provided " that the Postmaster- 
 General shall have power to issue circular-instructions to the 
 several postmasters and other officers still performing service 
 under the appointment of the United States, in order to enforce 
 the rendition of the proper accounts and payment of the moneys 
 collected by them per account of the United States, until the 
 Postmaster-General shall have issued his proclamation announc- 
 ing that the former service is discontinued and is replaced by the 
 new service organized under the authority of this Government." 
 In order that you may be enabled to comply strictly with the 
 foregoing direction, issued in conformity with the authority con- 
 ferred by said Act, your attention is specially directed to the 
 Regulations of the Post-Office Department of the United States, 
 embraced in chapters 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 26, of the volume 
 of laws and regulations issued 15th May, 1859. 
 
 The Post-Office Department of the Confederate States will be 
 organized as soon as practicable, but the causes of delay incident 
 to its organization, are such as to place it out of my power to 
 determine definitely when the new service will be substituted for 
 the old. 
 
 Any attempt to mix the employees of the two governments in 
 ihe same service would be wholly impracticable ; and no removals 
 or appointments of postmasters or others in the postal-service 
 will be made by this Department, nor will it receive returns re- 
 'ating to, or moneys derived from, the postal-service, until it shall 
 assume the entire control of the service. 
 
4() 
 
 If the Government of the United States should cease to carry 
 on this service before this Department shall be oriranized and 
 prepared to take charge of it, no great shock to the public inter- 
 ests will be jtroduced by such a course, as the rostmastcr-CJcneral 
 is authorized to continue provisionally, by proclamation, the pre- 
 sent postmasters and others in the postal-service in oflice, and to 
 continue existing contracts for carrying the mails until new ap- 
 pointments and new contracts can be made. 
 
 AVc must regard the carrying of our mails nt this time by that 
 Government, as a great public necessity to the people of both 
 governments, resulting from their pa^ intimate political, com- 
 mercial and social relations, and alike important to tlie preserva- 
 tion of the present interests of the people of both countries ; 
 and, whilo that Government, by its action, consults such con- 
 siderations, our Government and people should act with the same 
 high regard for great public interests. Such a course on our 
 part, springing from such motives, will preserve the character of 
 our people, without impairing the dignity of our Government, 
 and may lead to the transfer of our postal-service from the con- 
 trol of the old, to that of the new government, with far less in- 
 jury to the people of both, than would necessarily flow from pre- 
 cipitate and inconsiderate action on the part of cither. 
 
 You will please acknowledge the receipt of this circular. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN 11. IIEAGAN, 
 Postmaster- General. 
 
 To , Esq., Poatmaster at . 
 
 Appendix F, which is a tabular exhibit of the post-routes 
 which did not pay one-third of their cost, is omitted, because it 
 is very voluminous and would not be of sufficient general interest 
 to justify its publication. 
 
'\, 
 
 APPENDIX G. 
 
 The names of the gentlemen composing a Convention of Presi- 
 dents and others, representing Railroad Companies, assembled 
 at Montgomery, Alabama, at the request of the Postmaster- 
 General, on the 26th day of April, 1861, vrith the titles of 
 the Companies represented : 
 
 NAMES. TITLES OF COMPANIES. 
 
 Wm. C. Smedes Southern Railroad Co. 
 
 Samuel Tate Memphis and Charleston R. R. Co. 
 
 Charles T. Pollard Montgomery and West Point R. R. Co., and Alabama 
 
 and Florida R R. Co. 
 John P. King Georgia R. R. and Banking Co., Atlanta- and West Point 
 
 R. R. Co. 
 R. R. Cuyler The Central R. R. and Banking Co. of Georgia and 
 
 Branch to Eatonton, and the South-western R. R. 
 
 Company. 
 
 John Caldwell South Carolina R. R. Co. 
 
 Isaac Scott Macon and Western R. R. Co., Upsom Co. R. R. Co. 
 
 Francis T. Willis Augusta and Savannah R. R. Co. 
 
 Thomas C. Perrin. Greenville and Columbia R. R. Co. 
 
 Allan Macfarlan Cheraw and Darlington R. R. Co. 
 
 L. J Fleming Mobile and Ohio R. R. Co. 
 
 Wm. Johnston Charlotte and South Carolina R. R. Co. 
 
 Charles T. Fisher North Carolina R. R. Co. 
 
 A. M. Powell West North Carolina R. R. Co. 
 
 Wm. H. Mitchell ...Mobile and Girard R. R. Co. 
 
 John W. Simpson Laurens South Carolina R. R. Co. 
 
 Wm. H. Chase Als^ama and Florida R. R. Co. of Florida. 
 
 Thomas H. Ilewes New Orleans Opelousas and Great Westera R. R. Co. 
 
 Alex. M. Clayton .Miss. Central R. R. Co. 
 
 Geo. W. Call Florida R. R. Co. 
 
 A. F. Revenel North Eastern R. R. Co. * 
 
 W. S. Cothron Rome R. R. Co. 
 
 G. G. Griffin Alabama and Mississippi R. R. Co. 
 
 Thomas F. Drayton Charleston and Savannah R. R. Co. 
 
 Thomas A. Walker Alabama and Tennessee River R. R. Co. 
 
 Richard Peters Georgia Western R. R. Co. 
 
 Daniel Cram Montgomery and West Point R. R. Co. 
 
 Thomas D. Walker Wilmington and Manchester R. R. Co. 
 
 W. S. Ashe Wilmington and Weldon R. R. Co. 
 
 Samuel J. Jones Alabama and Florida R. R. of Alabama, as Supt. 
 
 J. L. Mustian Muscogee R. R. Co. 
 
42 
 
 APPENDIX 11. 
 
 ROUTES UPON WHICH DOUBLE DAILY SERVICE IS PERFORMED, 
 AND RATE OF MAIL PAY PER MILE. 
 
 1. Augusta to Atlanta $237 60 
 
 2. AtlntiWi to West Point 237 60 
 
 8. Muntcomery to Columbus, with branch from Opelika to West 
 
 Point 271 18 
 
 4. KingsTille to Wilmington 300 00 
 
 6. Kinpflville to Augusta 237 60 
 
 C. Kingsville to Columbia , 224 68 
 
 7. CbarlcBton to Florence 160 00 
 
 $ 1658 21 
 Average rate per mile $236 88 
 
 ROUTES UPON WHICH DAILY SERVICE IS PERFORMED AT TWO 
 HUNDRED DOLLARS AND UPWARDS PER MILE. 
 
 1. Montgomery to Greenville $325 89 
 
 2. Memphis to Stephcnaon 200 00 
 
 8. Canton to Grand Junction 200 00 
 
 4. New Orleans to Canton 200 00 
 
 5. Algiers to Brasbear 200 00 
 
 $ 1125 89 
 Average rate per mile $225 18 
 
 ROUTES UPON WHICH DAILY SERVICE IS PERFORMED AT LESS 
 THAN TWO, AND MORE THAN ONE, HUNDRED DOLLARS PER 
 MILE. 
 
 1. Savannah to Macon $175 00 
 
 2. Miltou to Augusta .. 175 00 
 
 8. Macon to Columbus 175 00 
 
 4. Atlanta to Chattanooga 102 50 
 
 6. Selma to Talladega, 6 times per •week 107 14 
 
 6. Grand Junction 176 00 
 
 $ 909 G4 
 Average rate per mile $ 161 60 
 
43 
 
 ROUTES WHICH ARE PAID ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS PER MILE. 
 
 1. Macon to Atlanta (daily) ~ $ 100 00 
 
 2. Fort Valley to Albany, with branch from Renwick to Cuthbert.... 100 00 
 
 3. Milledgeville to Gordon 100 00 
 
 4. Branch Camak to Warrenton.... 100 00 
 
 6. Fernandina to Branson 100 00 
 
 6. Mobile to Okalona (6 times a week) 100 00 
 
 7. Grand Gulf to Port Gibson 100 00 
 
 8. Columbia to Charlotte (G times a week) 100 00 
 
 9. Columbia to Greenville C. H 100 00 
 
 10. Charleston to Bridge Site 1(0 00 
 
 $ 1000 00 
 Average rate per mile $100 00 
 
 ROUTES WHICH ARE PAID LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED, ANI> 
 MORE THAN FIFTY, DOLLARS PER MILE. 
 
 1. Kingston to Rome $58 31 
 
 2. Columbus to Union Springs (6 times a week) 85 70 
 
 3. Morton to Forrest Depot 96 50 
 
 4. Memphis to Panola 75 00 
 
 5. Branch from Hodgesville to Abbyville, (6 times a week), and 
 
 Branch from Balton to Anderson C. H 68 60 
 
 6. Chester C. H. to Yorkville 59 57 
 
 7. Harrisburg to Eagle Lake 75 00 
 
 $518 68 
 Average rate per mile $ 74 09 
 
 ROUTES WHICH ARE PAID FIFTY DOLLARS PER MILE. 
 
 1. Savannah to Naylor « 50 oo 
 
 2. Barnesville to Thomaston (6 times a week) 60 00 
 
 3. Milledgeville to Eatonton 50 oO 
 
 4. Double Wills to Washington (6 times a week) '. .''. ' 50 00 
 
 5. Union Point to Athens 5O oO 
 
 6. Etowah to Etowah Depot ] 5O 00 
 
 7. St. Marks to Tallahassee (6 times a week) 50 00 
 
 8. Branch from Moscow to Summerville 50 00 
 
 9. Kingsville to Camden 50 00 
 
 10. Florence to Cheraw ','.'.'. 50 00 
 
 11. Aston to Spartanburg C. H. (6 times a week) '. 60 00 
 
 12. Baton Rouge to Bosedalc 50 oO 
 
 $ 600 00 
 
u 
 
 ROUTES WHICH ARE PAID LESS THAN FIPTT DOLLARS PER MILE. 
 
 1. Newberry C. II. to Lnurens C. H $48 38 
 
 2. St. FranciBville to Woodville (6 limes a week) 38 50 
 
 8. BruDewick to Satilla (3 times a week) 30 00 
 
 $ iir. t<8 
 Avernge rate per mile... $ 38 96 
 
p€Rnialif64 
 
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