The gentleman said that in order
to effect this no new legislative action was needed; all that was
necessary was that the Postmaster-General should be required to do what
the law, as it stood, authorized and required him to do.
We come then, said Mr. Lincoln, to the law. Now the Postmaster-General
says he cannot give to this company more than two hundred and
thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents per railroad mile of transportation,
and twelve and a half per cent. less for transportation by steamboats. He
considers himself as restricted by law to this amount; and he says,
further, that he would not give more if he could, because in his
apprehension it would not be fair and just.
1848
DESIRE FOR SECOND TERM IN CONGRESS
TO WILLIAM H. HERNDON.
WASHINGTON, January 8, 1848.
DEAR WILLIAM:--Your letter of December 27 was received a day or two ago.
I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken, and promise to
take in my little business there. As to speech making, by way of getting
the hang of the House I made a little speech two or three days ago on a
post-office question of no general interest. I find speaking here and
elsewhere about the same thing.
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