Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
New York, October 28, 1853.
Gentlemen: Having examined carefully the schedule proposed by you for running on the route between New Orleans and Vera Cruz, so as to connect at Acapulco with our steamers between Panama and San Francisco, I beg leave to inform you that it meets our approval.
When our company commenced to run weekly boats, the schedule of the Texas was arranged to conform to the movements of those extra boats. It happened, however, that the United States Mail Steamship Company, although willing to perform extra service, and to let that service speak for itself to Congress, was not willing to bind itself as the government required, so as to shut out all prospect of extra remuneration by a liberal legislature for extra duty; and, consequently, the steamers, on intermediate weeks, on this side, were withdrawn. The connexion being thus cut off, our company was obliged to discontinue its weekly trips, after the schedule of the Vera Cruz and Acapulco route had been arranged to conform to those trips.
My understanding with Mr. Rankin is, that when the route is fairly opened, we will run steamers in the Pacific in due connexion; and I am prepared to assign this duty to two of our smaller first-class steamers the moment I am justified in so doing. Until then, the merits of the route can be tested by arranging a schedule to conform to the arrivals at Acapulco, and, as far as possible, to the departures thence for San Francisco of our steamers now running; and the interests of the government and of the public unite in recommending such a course.
Very truly, yours,
WM. H. ASPINWALL, President.
Messrs. Harris & Morgan.