Ramsey & Carmick, Contract.letter from the Postmaster General Transmitting Copy of a Conditional Mail Contract; Also Copies of Correspondence Relative to the Same

A historical document detailing a conditional mail contract between the United States Postmaster General and contractors Albert C. Ramsey and Edward H. Carmick in the mid-19th century. This book provides an account of the correspondence necessary for establishing mail transport routes between New Orleans and San Francisco via Vera Cruz and Acapulco, highlighting the complexities of logistics and governmental negotiations in the early development of mail services across significant distances. The document likely reflects the expanding American infrastructure and the burgeoning need for more efficient communication channels during the transitional period of the early to mid-1800s. In this text, the terms of the contract are outlined, emphasizing the responsibilities of the contractors to ensure timely and secure mail delivery, as well as methods for communication with various postmasters along the route. Discussion within the document includes logistical details, such as proposed schedules, the necessity for Congressional approval, and the anticipated improvements in mail efficiency aimed at reducing transit time. The correspondence reveals the challenges faced by Ramsey and Carmick in fulfilling their obligations, particularly in securing reliable schedules and equipment for a route that would save significant time between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Overall, it paints a picture of the ambitious efforts to enhance mail service in a rapidly expanding nation.