202 A PEEP AT 



wherever I see one of them smitten down, I will de- 

 nounce the aggressor, and demand the deliverance of 

 the captive.'* 



I endeavored to give Mr. Thompson some informa- 

 tion regarding the miserable blundering of the Colo- 

 nial Office, in regard to ruling the Colony of New- 

 foundland. Lord Boughing has announced his inten- 

 tion to visit America during the year. 



A very important reduction has been made in the 

 rates of postage by the United States Government. 

 Previous to the law of 1845, under the old postage 

 rate, the letters decreased in number from 29,360,- 

 992 to 24,267,552, and remained nearly stationary, 

 at 24,000,000, for several years. The Post Office 

 revenue, also, decreased about $700,000. In July, 

 1845, the law reducing the rates of postage to five 

 cents and ten cents (more than 50 per cent.) went 

 into operation. The result of this reduction has been 

 the increase of letters during the year 1850 to 62,- 

 000,000, with a corresponding revenue. The gross 

 revenue of the department, according to the Report 

 of the Postmaster General, for 1850, was $5,552,971, 

 of which $4,775,663 accrued from letters. The ex- 

 penses were $5,212,053, leaving an excess in favor 

 of the Department of $340,018, and making all of 



