We already have a margin in our favor in the gulf service, as our steamer, the “Texas,” has performed the duty in sixty hours; and the Pacific service has been done in twenty-four and thirty hours less than schedule time. Our recent reports from Mexico justify us in the expectation of carrying the mails in fourteen days from New Orleans to San Francisco, and six months of experimental operation will, I think, show the feasibility of doing the regular service in within fifteen days.
In conclusion, I would add that we are exerting every energy in pushing the thing up, and shall spare neither time nor money in proving the truthfulness of all our positions.
An estafette mail will be carried from Vera Cruz and New Orleans to San Francisco next month, until the service becomes regular.
I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
ROBT. G. RANKIN,
President.
We have the highest assurance of our favorable position in Mexico.
Hon. James Campbell,
Postmaster General U. S., &c.
Post Office Department, July 9, 1853.
Sir: Your letter of the 15th ultimo came duly to hand. My attention having been specially called to the circumstances connected with the contemplated line to the Pacific via Vera Cruz and Acapulco, I feel it my duty, after due deliberation, to inform you that the conditional contract entered into between my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, and Messrs. Ramsey and Carmick, for the conveyance of the mails over this line to San Francisco, does not meet with my approbation.