man was more anxious than he that it should be done. The report made by
the committee had been intended to yield much for the sake of removing
that grievance. That the grievance was very great there was no dispute in
any quarter. He supposed that the statements made by the gentleman from
Virginia to show this were all entirely correct in point of fact. He did
suppose that the interruptions of regular intercourse, and all the other
inconveniences growing out of it, were all as that gentleman had stated
them to be; and certainly, if redress could be rendered, it was proper it
should be rendered as soon as possible. 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.