Mr. Seward to Mr.
Seys
No. 9.]
Department of State,
Washington,
April 16,1867.
Sir: Referring to your despatch No. 9, in which
you recommend the negotiation of a postal convention between this
country and Liberia, and to the reply of the department of the 4th
instant, informing you that the matter had been referred to the Post
Office Department, I now transmit to you a copy of a letter from the
Postmaster General, expressing his views on the subject, from which you
will perceive that in his opinion existing circumstances render such a
convention inexpedient at the present time.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
John Seys, Esq., &c.,
&c., &c.
Mr. Randall to Mr. Seward
Post Office Department,
Washington,
April 12, 1867.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, enclosing copy of a
despatch received from the United States minister at Liberia,
recommending the negotiation of a postal convention with Liberia,
and to inform you, in reply, that until a regular communication by
means of steam vessels, plying direct between the United States and
Liberia, shall have been established, the conclusion of a postal
convention with that country would not secure any advantage to
correspondence; and if it is necessary to the establishment and
maintenance of a direct line of steamers to obtain a subsidy from
the respective governments, this department cannot grant a subsidy
without special legislation by Congress authorizing the same, the
existing laws restricting the amount of compensation to be allowed
for the conveyance of mails by sea to the postages on the mail
transported.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALEXANDER W. RANDALL, Postmaster
General.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
