REPORT OF THE POST MASTER GENERAL
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REPORT OF THE POST MASTER GENERAL,

 It appears from the report of the Posmas- ter General, that fer the last two years, the current expenses of the Department have been met by it's annual revenue; that the ex- tension of the service has been made, com mensurate to the growth and spread of our population.

 The amount of annual transportation on the 30th of June, l843, was 39,252, ,805 miles; the cost of wohih was S2,979,284.

 The cost of transportation for the last year was less by $134,499 than it was for the previous year, while the transportation throughout the year was greater by 416,814 miles.

 The number of Post offices supplied in 1842, was 13,733; and the number supplied in 1843 was l3,8l4.

 The total expenditures of the service for the year ending Both June, 1843, were $4,- 374,7l3 75, including payments on account of debt due by the Department, for which the appropriation above was made.

 The revenue of 1843, so far as the returns exhibit the amount for the year ending Both June, is $4,295,92 42.

 A considerable portion of the current reve- nue to the Department, for the years 1842 and 1843, has been absorbed in the payment of demands claimed by Deputy Postmastcrs tfor expenditures in previous years, by the allowance of credit, therefore, in the settle ment of their accounts which credits so al- lowed, have been changed to the expenditures of those years; the probable amount of which is not less than S50,000.

 It appears from the Report that in conse- quence of the private expresses, the receipts ofthe Department, during the last years, have declined $250,000. The Postmaster Gene ral is of opinion that the General Govern ment should either protect the Department against the inroads of private posts, or pro- vide the ways and means to meet the neces- sary expenses of the service.

 On the subject of reduction of postage, the Postmaster General argues at considera- ble length. He is in favor of making post ages conform to our currency, but no mate rial reduction unless Congress will make ap- propriations from the Treasury to carry on the Department

 The large class of printed matter compris- ing hand-bills, the prospectuses of newspa- pers, prices current, the drawings of lotte- ries, proof sheets, Sc, now charged with let ter postage, he is of opinion ought not to pay higher rates than newspapers and pamphlets. A just discrimination between newspapers as to size or weight, he says should be made in the imposition of postage.

 The franking privilege, if not abolished al- together, should in some way be restricted, and its abuse checked.