Arrive at Mock3vilIe next day by 6 p m; lioml required with bid. $300. 13315 From Elkin, by State Road, Roar ins Gap, and Laurel Branch, to Cherry Lane, 224 miles and back, once a week. Leave Elkin Friday at 6 a m; Arrive at Cherry Lane by 12 in; Leave Cherry Lane Friday at 1 p ni ; Arrive at Elkin by 7 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 133 10 From Dellaplane, by Koaring liiv- ... , T 1 1 n i or, oouruii s, rifciu, auu uiuk, to Dobson, 33 mile3 and back, once a week. Leave Dellaplane Wednesday at 1 P m; Arrive at Dohson next day by 12 m ; Leave Dobson Thursday at 1 pm; Arrive at Dellaplane next day by 12 m. Bond required with bid. 300. From Hantnviile. by ItdUoTillo, Cheanut 13317 RtJrfe. and JonTille. to DUi, a nmem and bck, thre times a week. I UuntoTiUe TueaJxy. Thursday, d Sturdj mt 7 a m; Arrive at illin by 6 pm: Lae Kkin Monday. Wednesday, and Fri day at 7 a m; Arrive at HunUrille by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $jO0. 1313 From Hamptonrille. by New Castle snd I. llpUne, " to W ilk borough, 20 miles snd back, twice s week. Lt-ae Haiuptuuville Tuesday and Thursday st 7 am: Arrive st Wilkeaborouplr by 5pm; Lrave Wilkesborough Wednesday and Fri ,iv st" a m; Arrive st Hsmi'tonville by 5 p m. ivmJ required with bid, f StJO. mi i From Hsmptonville. y ion. union urove. J, uuinrf s Mills, New Hope. Mount Pis Kb. sod York Collegiate Institute, to Tv..rville, 4i miles and back, once a I ave HsmptonviUe Saturday at 7 a m; Arrive st Tsylorsville by 6 p m; Leave Tsvlorsville Friday st 7 s m; Arrive st ilsmptonville bjrCpm. Bond required with bid. f 4W. li3J) From HsmptoDTill to YsdkinriDe, 8 miks snd back, once a week. Lrave HamptonvlDe Saturday at 8 a m; Arrive at Yadkinville by 11 a m; Ltsvs Yadkinville Saturday st 2.30 p m; Arrive st Hsmptonville by 5.30 p m. Bond required with bid, $100. 13321 From Wilkesborough. by Elkvi3e, Fort De fiance. Lenoir. Tuttle's Cross Roads, snd Copenhagen, to Morganton, 48 miles and ba k. once a week. I-ave Wilkmborough Monday at 8 a m; Arrive st Muiyantnu next dsy by 12 m; Leave Morganton Tuesdsy st 2 p m ; Arrive st Wilkesborough next dsy by 7 p m. Bond, required with bid, $500. 13322 From WuJuuborough. by Hsy Meadow, Dockery. Trap Hill. Cherry Lane, Glade Creek. Gap Civil, and Piney Creek, to MouUi-of-Wilson (Vs.), 50 miles and back, once s week. Leave Wiikesborougb Thursday at 1 p m; Arrive at Mouth-of-Wilson next day by 7 p Leave Month-of-Wilson Saturday at 6 a m; Arrive at Wilkesborough Monday by 12 iu. Bond required with bid, $500. 1 B23 1'r'm Wilkn borough, by Mulberry, Hall's Mills, Laurel Springs, Scottville, and New lUver. to Mouth-of-Wilson (Va.), 40 miles and back, once a week. I ave Wilkeaborough Tkursdsy at 1 p m; Arrive at Mouthor-Wilson next day by 5 p m; Ltaw Mouth-of-Wilson Friday at 8 am; Arrive st Wilkesborough next dsy by 12 m. li ud required with bid, $400. 13321 Frfiii WilkeaborouRh. by Purlear's Creek, Stony Hill, dap Creek, Stony Fork. Boone, Maple Springs, and Lewis Fork, to Wilkes borough, equal to 40 miles and back, ouce a week. Leave Wilkesborough Monday at 5 a m; Arrive at Boone by 7 pm. Leave Boone Tuesday at 5 a m; Arrive at Wilkesborough by 7 p m; Bnd required with bid, $400. 13325 From Wilkesborough. by Reddie's River. Wilbsr, and South Fork to Jefferson, 31,', miles snd back, three times a week. Leave Wilkesborough Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 a m ; Arrive at Jefferson by 6 p m ; Leave Jefferson Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7 a m; Arrive at Wilkesborough by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $000. 1J326 From Wilkesborough. by Hunting Creek, Zimmerman, and Union Grove, to Olin, 274 miles and back, once a week. Leave Wilkesborough Friday at 7 a m ; Arrive at Olin by 4 p m; Leave Olin Saturday at 7 a m; Arrive at Wilkesborough by 4 p ra. Bond required with bid, $). 13327 From Lenoir to Boone, 30 miles and back, once a week. Leave Lenoir Friday at 7 a ni; Arrive at Boone by 5 p m ; Leave Boone Saturday at 7 a m ; Arrive at Lenoir by 5 p m. Bind required with bid, $300. IXyii From Boone, by Valley Crucis to Cranberry Forge. 22 miles and back, ouce a week. Leave Boone Weduesday at 6 a m; Arrive at Cranberry Forge by 4 p m; Leave Cranberry Forge Thursday at 6 a m, Arrive at Boone by 4 p li. Bond required with bid. $200. 13329 From Boone to Blowing Rock, 8 miles and back, twice a week. . Leave Bjone Wednesday and Saturday at 7 a m; Arrive at Blowing Rock by 10 a m; Leave Blowing Rock Wednesday and Sat urday at 2.3U p m; Arrive at Boone by 5 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13330 From Globe to Blowing Rock. 9,1; miles and back, once a week. Leave Glote Friday at 10 a m; Arrive at Biowiug Rock by 1pm; Leave Blowing Rock Wednesday at 1 p m; Arrive at Globe by 3 p m. Bud required with bid, $100. 13&J1 From Jefferson, by Shady Springs, Elk Cross Roads, Moretz's Mills, and Boone, to Sugar Grove, 32 miles and back, once a wet'k. Leave Jefferson Thursday at 7 a m ; Arrive at Sugar Grove by 6 p m; Leave Sugar Grove Friday at 7 a m; Arrive at Jefferson by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $300. 13332 From Jefferson, by Nathan's Creek, Chest nut Hill, snd Weaversford, to Mouth-of-Wilson (Va.), 13 miles and back, once a week. Leave Jefferson Wednesday at 6 a m; Arrive at Mouth-of-Wilson by 12 m; Leave Mouth-of-Wilson Wednesday at 1 p m; Arrive at Jefferson by 7 p m. Bond required with bid. $200. 1333 From Jefferson to Horse Creek, 14 miles and back, once a week. Leave Jefferson Saturday at 1pm; Arrive at Horse Creek by 6 p m; Leave Horse Creek Saturday at 6 am; Arrive at Jefferson by 11 a m. Bond required with bid, $200. l.ttlt From Jeffersou, by Walnut Hill, to Helton, 11 miles and back, once a week. Leave Jefferson Saturday at 12 m ; Arrive at Helton by 4 p m ; Leave Helton Saturday at 7 a m; Arrive at Jefferson by 11 a m. Bond required with bid. $100. 13335 From Helton to Mouth-of-Wilson (Va.), 9 miles and back, once a week. Leave Helton Thursday at 7 a m; Arrive at Mouth-of-Wilson by 10 a m : Leave Mouth-of-Wilson Thursday at 11 am; Arrive at Helton by 2 p m. Bond required with bid. $100. 13336 From BurnsTille, by Day Book. Green Mountain, lied Hill. Fork Mountain. Limestone Cove (Tenn.), Hampton, and Gap Run, to Elizabeth ton, 51 miles and back, once a week. Leave BurnsTille Thursday at 6 a m ; Arrive at Elizabethton next day by 12 m; Leave Elizabethton Friday at 1pm: Arrive at BurnsTille next day by 6 p m. Bond required with bid. $500. 1333" From Burnsville. by Bald Creek, Ivy, Dem ocrat. Lockhart's, 8tocksville, and Wea TercLle. to Asheville, 33 miles and back, twice a week. Leave Burusville Tuesday and Friday at 6 a m; Arrive at Asheville by 6 p m; Leave Ai he ville Wednesday and Saturday at6 a m; Arrive at Burnsville by 6 p m. Bond required with bid. $700. 13333 From Burnsville. by Micaville, Flinty Branch, Spruce Pine, Grassy Creek, and Mica, to Marion. 38 miles and back, twice a week. Leave Bnr ns villa Tuesday and Friday at 7 a m; Arrive at Marion by 7 p m; Leave Marion Wednesday and Saturday at 7 a m; Arrive at Burnsville by 7 p m. Bond required with bid, $700. 13339 From Bakers vi lie, by Ledger, to BurnsTille, 16 miles and back, once a week. Leave Bakers ville Wednesday at 2 p m ; Arrive at Burnsville by 7 p m; Leave Burnsville Wednesday at 7 a m; Arrive at Bakers ville by 12 m. Bond required with bid. $200. 13340 From Bakers ville. by Hawk Mine and Plum- tree, to CVan berry Forge, 24 miles and back, once a week. Leave Bakers ville Wednesday at 6 a m; Arrive at Cranberry Forge by 6 p a : Leave Cranberry Forge Thursday at 6 a m; Arrive at Bakers ville by 6 pm. Bond required with bid, $300. 13341 From Bakersville, by Little Rock Creek and Fork Mountain, to Johnson City (Tenn.). 38 miles and back, twice a week. Leave Bakersville Monday and Friday at 5 am; Arrive at Johnson City by 5 p m; Leave Johnson City Tuesday and Saturday at6am; Arrive at Bakerrrffle by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $700. K3U Prom Mica to Cranberry Forge, 33 miles and back, once a week. Leave Mica Thursday at 8 a m ; Arrive at Cranberry Forge by 4 p ra ; Leave Cranberry Forge Friday at 8 a m; Arrive at Mica by 4 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13343 From Ivy, by Walnut Mountain and Little Creek, to Flag Pond (Tenn.), 15 miles and back, once a week. Leave Ivy Monday at 6 a m ; Arrive at Flag Pond by 12 ai; Leave Flag Pond Monday at 1 p m : Arrive at Ivy by 7 p m. Bond required with bid. $100. 13344 From Day Book, by Ramsey Town, and Hollow Poplar, to Swingleville (Tenn.), 23 miles and back, once a week. Leave Dsy Book Monday at 7 a m; Arrive at 8winglevile by 5 p m; Leave Swingleville Tues-lay at 7 a m; Arrive at Day Book by 5 pm. Bond requirtd with bid, $200. 13345 From Ramsey town, by Bee Log, to Bald Creek, 15 miles and back, once a week. Leave Ramseytown Monday at 7 a m; Arrive at Bald Creek by 12 m; Leave Bald Creek Monday at 1 p mi Arrive at Ramseytown by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13346 Fr m Forks-of-Pigeon to Pigeon River. 5 miles and back, once a week. Leave Forks-of-Pigeon Fridsy at 6 a m; ArriTe at Pigeon River by 8 a m; Ieave Pigeon River Friday at 9 a m; Arrive at Forks-of-Pigeon by 11 a m. Bond required with bid, $100. 13317 From Stony Fork, by Soda Hill, to Trade (Tenn.), 22 miles and back, once a week. Leave Stony Fork Wednesday at 11 a m; Arrive at Trade by 6 p m ; Leave Trade Thursday at 7 a m ; Arrive at Stony Fork by 2 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13348 From Solitude to Trade (Tenn.), 12 miles and back, once a week. Leeve Solitude Monday at 7 a m ; Arrive at Trade by 12 m; Leave Trade Monday at 1 p m; Arrive at Solitude by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13349 From East Laporte to Cherryfield, 35 miles and back, once a week. Leave East Laporte Thursday at C a m ; Arrive at Cherryfield by 6 p m; Leave Cherryfield Fridsy at 6 a m; Arrive at East Laporte by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $300. 13350 From Hendersonville, by Roman's Bluff, Calhoun, Davidson's River, Brevard.Cath ey's Creek, Cherryfield, and Hogback Val ley, to Casher's Valley, 55 miles and back, once a week. Leave Hendersonville Thursdsy at 7 a m; Arrive at Casher's Valley next day by 12 m; Leave Casher's Valley Friday at 1 p m ; Arrive at Hendersonville next day by 7 p m. Bond required with bid. $50U 13351 From Hendersonville to Forks-of-Pigeon, 43 miles and back, once a week. Leave Hendersonville Monday st 12 m ; Arrive at Forks-of-Pigeon next day by 5 pm; Leave r orks-or-Figeon ednesday at 7 a m ; Arrive at Hendersonville next day by 12 m. Bond required with bid. $400. 13352 From Hendersonville, by Tryon, Columbus, Mills Spring, Bear Wallow, Edneyville, and Blue Ridge, to Hendersonville, equal to 30 i miles and back, once a week. Leave Hendersonville Monday at 7 a m : Arrive at Columbus Tuesday by 10 a m; Leave Columbus Tuesday at II a m; Arrive at Hendersonville by 7 pm. Bond required with bid, $300. 13353 From Hendersonville to Cedar Mountain,22 miles and back, once a week. Leave Hendersonville Friday at 10 a m: Arrive at Cedar Mountain by 5 p m; Leave Cedar Mountain Saturday at 7 a m; Arrive at Hendersonville by 2 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13354 From Asheville, by Laurel Fork, Turnpike, Pigeon River, Pigeon Valley, Richland Valley, Waynesville, Caler's Hill, Webster, Franklin, Aquone, Valleytown, Marble Spring, and Tomatola, to Murphy, 123i miles and back, six times a week. Leave Asheville daily, except Sunday, at 8 a m; Arrive at Murphey by 6pm; Leave Murphey daily, except Sunday, at 7 a m; Arrive at Asheville by 7 p m. Bond required with bid, $5,000. 13355 From Asheville, by Glencoe, Avery's Creek, Mill River, Boilstou, Claytonville, David son's River, Brevard, Dunn's Rock, Ce dar Mountain, Middle Saluda (S. C), Ma rietta, and White Horse, to Greenville C. H., 82 miles and back, twice a week. Leave Asheville Monday and Thursday at 5 P m; Arrive at Greenville C. II. Wednesday and Saturday by 6 p in ; Leave Greenville C. n. Wednesday and Saturday at 7 p m ; Arrive at Asheville Monday and Friday by 4 pm. Bond required with bid, $1,000. 13356 From Asheville, by Leicester, Sandy Mush, Cross Rock, Spring Creek, Fine's Creek, Crab Tree, and Jonathan's Creek, to Waynesville, 63 miles and back, twice a week. Leave Asheville Monday and Thursday at 1 P m; Arrive at Waynesville Wednesday and Sat urday by 1 p m ; Leave Waynesville Wednesday and Satur day at 1.30 p m; Arrive at Asheville Monday and Thursday by 1pm. Bond required with bid, $800. 13357 From Asheville, by Paint Gap (n. o.) and Ivy Gap (n. o.), to Burnsville, 36 miles and back, once a week. Leave Asheville Saturday at 6 a m ; Arrive at Burnsville by 6 p m; Leave Burnsville Friday at 6 a m ; Arrive at Asheville by 6 pm. Bond required with bid, $400. 13353 From Marshall, by Walnut Run, Big Lau rel, White Rock, Peach Grove (Tenn ), and Unaka, to Greenville, 42 miles and back, three times a week. Leave Marshall Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 6 a m; Arrive at Greenville by 8 pm; Leave Greenville Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6 a m; Arrive at Marshall by 8 p m. Bond required with bid. $500. 13359 From Marshall, by Halewood, Mars Hill, and Grantville, to Stocksville, 20 miles and back, once a week. Leave Marshall Monday at 6 a m; Arrive at Stocksville by & m ; Leave Stocksville Monday atl pm; Arrive at Marshall by 7 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13360 From Warm Springs, by Marshall, French Broad, Riverside, Asheville, Busbee, Shu fordsville, Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Lima (S. C), Belle view, and Traveller's Rest, to Greenville C. H., 98 miles and back, six times a week. Leave Warm Springs daily, except Sunday, at 8 a m ; Arrive at Asheville by 8 p in ; Leave Asheville daily, except Sunday, at 8 a m; Arrive at Warm Springs by 6 p m ; Leave Asheville daily, except Sunday, at 8 a m; Arrive at Greenville C. H. by 6 p m ; Leave Greenville C. H. daily, except Sun day, at 8 a m ; Arrive at Asheville by (! p m. Bond required with bid, $5,000. 13361 From Warm Springs, by Lee, to Spring Creek, 18 miles and back, once a ween. Leave Warms Springs Saturday at 6 a m; Arrive at Spring Cree by 12 m; Leave Spring Creek Saturday at 1 p m; Arrive at Warm Springs by 7 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13362 From Lee to Wolf Creek (Teun.), 15 miles and back, once a week. Leave Lee Friday at 7am; Arrive at Wolf Creek by 12 m ; Leave Wolf Creek Friday at 1 p m; Arrive at Lee by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13363 From Lee to Big Creek (Tenn.), 24 miles and back, once a week. Leave Lee Monday at 7 a m; Arrive at Big Creek by 5 p m; Leave Big Creek Tuesday at 7 a m; Arrive at Lee by 5 a m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13364 From Waynesville. by Ivy Hill. Quallatown, - Junaluska, Charleston, Nantahalah, Ste- coah, and Rollins ville, to Valleytown, 83 miles and back, once a week. Leave W'aynesTille Tuesday at 5 p m; Arrive at Valleytown Friday at 4.30 pm; Leave Valleytown Friday at 5 p m; Arrive at Waynesville Tuesday by 4 p m. Bond required with bid, $800. 13363 From Waynesville, by Jonathan's Creek, Catalooche, Mount Sterling, Big Creek (Tenn.), Crosby, and Wilton Springs, to Newport, 62 mles and back, once a week. Leave Waynesville Wednesday at 7 a m; Arrrive at Newport next day by 6 p m ; Leave Newport Friday at 7 am; Arrive at Waynesville next day by 5 p m. Bond required with bid, $000. 133C6 From Franklin, by Wickle's Store. Head-of-Tennesaee, Clayton (Ga.), War Woman, Whetstone, and Tunnel Hill (3. C), to Walhalla, 51 miles and back, twice a week. Leave Franklin Monday and Thursday at 7 am; Arrive at Walhalla next days by 12 ra; Leave Walhalla Tuesday and Friday at 1 P m; Arrive at Franklin next days by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $1,000. 13367 From Franklin, by Nantahalah, Forney's Creek, and Forks of Tennessee, to Chil howee, 09 miles and back, once a week. Leave Franklin Thursday at 6 a m ; Arrive at Chilhowee next day by 6 p m ; , Leave Chilhowee Friday at 6.15 p m; Arrive at Nantahalah Sunday by 8 a m ; Leave Nantahalah Wednesday at 8 a m; j Arrive at Franklin by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $700. 13363 From Casher's Valley, by Horse Cove and Pine Mountain, to Clayton (Ga.), 31 miles and back, once a week. Leave Casher'sValley Monday at 7 am; : ArriTe at Clayton by 6 p m ; Leave Clayton Tuesday at 7 a m; - ArriTe at Casher's Valley by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $300. 13369 From Casher's Valley to Walhalla (S. C), 34 miles and back, once a week. Leave Casher's Valley Monday at 5 a m ; ArriTe at Walhalla by 7 pm; Leave Walhalla Tuesday at 5 am; Arrive at Casher's Valley by 7 p m. Bond required with bid, $300. 13370 From Charleston to Nantahalah, C miles and back, once a week. Leave Charleston Wednesday at 8 a m; Arrive at Nantahalah by 10 a m ; ' Leave Nantahalah Wednesday at 11 a m ; Arrive at Charleston by 1 p m. Bond required with bid, $100. 13371 From Rollins ville to Chilhowee (Tenn.), miles and back, once a week. Leave Rollinsville Monday at 6 a m; Arrive at Chilhowee by 6 pm; Leave Chilhowee Tuesday at 6 a m; Arrive at Rollinsville by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $400. 13372 From Aquone, by Tusquittee Vale, to Hayes- Tiile, 18 miles and back, twice a week. Leave Aqnone Tuesday and Friday at 12 m ; Arrive at Hayes ville by 6 pm; Leave HayesviHe Tuesday and Friday at 5 a m; Arrive at Aqnone by 11 a in. Bond reauired with bid. $400. 13373 From Hayes ville to Shooting Creek.9 miles and back, once a week. Leave Hayesville Friday at 6 a m; Arrive at Shooting Creek by 11 a m; Leave Shooting Creek Friday at 13 m; Arrive at Hayesville by 5 p m. Bond required with bid, $100. 1J374 From Murphey, by Persimmon Creek, Eng land's Poiot,and Wolf creek to Duck town (Tenn.), 29 miles and back, three times a week. Leave Murphey Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 a m ; Arrive at Ducktown by 5 p m ; Leave Ducktown Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 7 a m; Arrive at Murphey by 5 p m. Bond required with bid, $800. 1337 From Murphey to Eilpatrick's, 29 miles and back, once a week. Leave Murphey Saturday at 1 p m ; Arrive at Eilpatrick's by 7 p in; Leave Eilpatrick's Saturday at 6 a m ; Arrive at Murphey by 12 m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13376 From Murphey, by Ivy Log, to Blairs ville (Ga.), 23 miles and back, once a week. Leave Murphey Saturday at 5 a m; Arrive at Blairsville by 12 m ; Leave Blairsville Saturday at 1 p m; Arrive at Murphey by 8 p m Bond required with bid, $200. 13377 From Murphey to Morganton (Ga.), 22 miles and back, once a week. Leave Murphey Friday at 8 a m ; Arrive at Morganton by 6 p m ; Leave Morganton Saturday at 8 a m ; Arrive at Murphey by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, 200. 13378 From Murphey, -by Grape Creek, Beaver, and Coker reek, to Tellico Plains (Tenn.), 38 miles and back, once a week. Leave Murphey Thursday at 7 a m; Arrive at Tellico Plains by 6 p m; Leave Tellico Plains Friday at 7 a m; ArriTe at Murphey by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $300. 13373 From Murphey, by Brasstown, to Hayes ville, 17 miles and back, twice a week. Leave Murphey Wednesday and Saturday at 7 a m; Arrive at Hayesville by 12 m; Leave Hayesville Wednesday and Saturday at 1 p m; Arrive at Murphey by 6 p m. Bond required with bid, $300. 13380 From Laurel Valley to Ducktown (Tenn.) 17 miles and back, once a week. Leave Laurel Valley Saturday at 6 a m ; Arrive at Ducktown by 12 m ; Leave Ducktown Saturday at 1 p m; Arrive at Laurel Valley by 8 p m. Bond required with bid, $200. 13381 From Vest's to Ducktown (Tenn.), 12 miles and back, once a week. Leave Vest's Wednesday at 6 a m ; Arrive at Ducktown by 12 m ; Leave Ducktown Wednesday at 1 pm; Arrive at Vest's by 7 p m. Bond required with bid, $100. EXTRACTS FBOM LAWS) ETC. OATH OF MAIL CONTRACTORS AND CARRIERS. REQUIRED BY ACT OF CONGRESS, JUNE 8, 1872. I, , do solemnly swear (or affirm) that l win raitniuiiy periorm an tne auties re quired of me, and abstain from everything forbidden by tne laws in relation to the es tablishment of post offices and post-roads within the United States ; and that I will honestly and truly account for and pay over any money belonging to the said Uni ted States which may come into my pos session or control. So help me God. Bv section 1G of the act of June 8. 187 every person employed in the postal service is subject to all the pains, penalties, ana forfeitures for violation of the laws relating to such service, whether he lias taken the above oath or affirmation or not. Sections of the Act of Congress " to re vise, consolidate, and amend the stat utes relating to the Post-Office Depart ment" Approved June 8, 1872. The Postmaster General requests that bidders, guarantors, sureties, and all per sons concerned, or intending to be concern ed, in mail contracts, will carefully read and critically examine the abstract of laws here presented, and also the forms and in structions at the end of this advertisement, in order that bids may be made and liabil ities assumed understandingly. and that all misapprehensions or cause of complaint hereafter may be avoided. Postmasters are required to make them selves familiar with these laws and in structions, that they may be able to inform and direct others. Postmasters, clerks, &c., cannot be con- tractors. Sec. 78. That no postmaster, assistant postmaster, or clerk employed in any post office, shall be a contractor or concerned in a contract for carrying the mail. Persons in the employ of the Post Office Department (including postmasters) cannot become interested in a mail contract, nor act as agent of contrac tors or bidders. Sec. 12. That no person employed "n the Post Office Department shall become inter ested in any contract for carrying the mail, or act as agent, with or without compensa tion, for any contractor or person ottering to become a contractor in any business be fore the Department ; and any person so offending shall be immediately dismissed from office, and shall be liable to pay so much money as would have been realized from said contract, to be recovered in an action of debt, for the use of the Post Office Department. By regulation of the Department, no car rier should be employed who is under six teen years of age ; and no bidder will be ac cepted who is under twenty-one years of age, or who is a married woman. Conveyance of letters out of the mail. Private expresses, &c. Sec. 227. That any person concerned in carrying the mail who shall collect, receive, or carry any letter or packet, or cause or procure the same to be done, contrary to law, shall, on conviction thereof, for every such offense, forfeit and pay not exceeding fifty dollars. Sec. 22S. That no r erion shall establish any private express for the conveyance of letters or packets, or in an manner cause or provide for the conveyance of the same by regular trips or at stated periods, over any post-route which is or may be estab lished by law, or from any city, town,1 or place to any other city, town, or place be tween which the mail is regularly carried; and every person so offending, or aiding or assisting therein, shall, for each offense, forfeit and pay one hundred and fifty dollars. Sec. i9. That the owner of every stage coach, railway-car, steamboat, or other ve hicle or vessel, which shall, with the knowl edge of any owner, in whole or in part, or with the knowledge or connivance of the driver, conductor, master, or other person having charge of the same, convey any person acting or employed as a private ex press for the conveyance of letters or pack ets, and actually in possession of the same for the purpose of conveying them contra ry to the spirit, true intent, and meaning of this law, shall, for every such offense, forfeit and pay one hundred and fifty dollars. Sec. 230. That no person shall transmit by private expresss or other unlawful means, or deliver to any agent of such un lawful express, or deposit, or cause to be deposited, at any appointed place, for the purpose of being transmitted, any letter or packet, and for every such offense the par ty so offending shall forfeit and pay fifty dollars. Sec. 211. That no stage-coach, railway-car, steamboat, or other vehicle or vessel which regularly performs trips at stated periods on any post-route, or from any city, town, or place to any other city, town, or place between which the mail is regularly carried, shall carry, otherwise than in the mail.any letters or packets, ex cept 6uch as relate to some part of the car go of such steamboat or other vessel, or to some article carried at the same time by the same stage-coach, railway-car, or other vehicle, except as provided in section two hundred and thirty-nine; and for every such offense the owner of the stage-coach, railwav-car. steamboat, or other vehicle or vessel shall forfeit and pay one hundred dol lars; and the driver, conductor, master, or other person having charge thereof, and not at the time owner of the whole or any part thereof, shall in like manner forfeit and pay for every such offense fifty dollars. (Section 235 permits conveyance of letters in stamped envelopes otherwise than by mail.) The manner in which proposals shall be made, and the LIABILITY OF POSTMASTERS. Sec. 215. That every proposal for carrying the mail shall be accompanied by the bond of the bidder, with sureties approved by a 40 postmaster, and In cases where the amonnt of the bond exceeds Ave thousand dollars, by a postmaster of the first, second, or third class, in a sum to be designated by the Postmaster General In the advertisement of each route; to which bond a condition shall be annexed, that if the said bidder shall, within such time after his bid Is ac cepted as the Postmaster General shallpre scribe, enter into a contract with the Uni ted Btates of America, with good and suffi cient sureties, to be approved by the Post master General, to nerform the service rro- posed in his said bid, and, further, that he shall perform the said service according to his contract, then the said obligation to be void, otherwise to be in full force and obli gation in law; and In case of failure of any bidder to enter into such contract to per form the service, or, having executed a con tract, in case of fail a re to perform the ser vice according to his contract, he and his sureties shall be liable for the amount of said bond as liquidated damages, to be re covered in an action of debt on the said bond. No proposal shall be considered un less it shall be accompanied by such bond, and there shall have been affixed to said proposal the oath of the bidder, taken be fore an officer qualified to administer oaths, that he has the ability, pecuniarily, to ful fill his obligations, and that the bid is made in good faith, and with the intention to en ter into contract and perform the service in case his bid is accepted. Sec. 24J. That before the bond of a bidder provided for in the aforesaid section is ap proved, there shall be indorsed thereon the oaths of the sureties therein, taken before an officer qualified to administer oaths. i nat tney are owners or real estate worth, in the aggregate, a sum double the amount of th said bond, over and above all debts due and owing by them, and all judgments, mortgages, and executions against them, after allowing all exemptions of every character whatever. Sec. 217. That any postmaster who shall affix his signature to the approval of any bond of a bidder, or to the certificate of suf ficiency of sureties in any contract before the said bond or contract is signed by the oiuuer or contractor, ana nis sureties, or shall knowingly, or without the exercise of due diligeuce, approve any bond of a bid der with insufiicient sureties, or shall knowingly make any false or fraudulent certificate, shall be forthwith dismissed from office, and be thereafter disqualified from holding the office of postmaster, and shall also be deemed guilty of a misdemean or, and on conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dol lars, or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both. Service to be awarded to the lowest bid der. Bids of failing contractors may not be considered. Skc. 249. That all contracts for carrying the mail shall be in the name of the United States, and shall be awarded to the lowest bidder tendering sufficient guarantees for faithful performance, without other refer ence to the mode of transportation than may be necessary to provide for the due celerity, certainty, and' security thereof; but the Postmaster General shall not be bound to consider the bid of any person who has wilfully or negligently failed to perform a former contract. Combinations to prevent bidding pro hibited. Sec. 2o0. That no contract for carrying the mail shall be made with any person who has entered, or proposed to enter, into any combination to prevent the making of any bid for carrying the mail, or who has made any agreement, or given or perform ed, or promised to give or perform, any consideration whatever to induce any other person not to bid for any such contract; and if any person so offending is a contractor for carrying the mail, his contract maybe annulled ; and for the first offense the per son so offending shall be disqualified to con tract for carrying the mail for five years, and for the second offense shall be forever disqualified. Failing bidders and contractors. Con tracts may be extended, and temporary contracts made. Sec. 251. That after any regular bidder whose bid has been accepted shall fail to enter into contract for the transportation of the mails according to his proposal, or, having entered into contract, shall fail to commence the performance of the service stipulated in his or their contract as there in provided, the Postmaster General shall proceed to contract with the next lowest bidder for the same service, who will enter into a contract for the performance thereof, unless the Postmaster General shall consid er such bid too high, in which case he shall re-advertise such service. And if any bid der whose bid has been accepted, and who has entered into a contract to perform the service according to his proposal, and in pursuance of his contract has entered upon the performance of the service to the satis faction of the Postmaster General, shall subsequently fail or refuse to perform the service according to his contract, the Post master General shall proceed to contract with the next lowest bidder for such ser vice, under the advertisement thereof, (un less the Postmaster General shall consider such bid too high,) who wiil enter into con tract and give bond, with sureties, to be approved by the Postmaster General, for the faithful performance thereof, in the same penalty and with the same terms and conditions thereto annexed as were stated and contained in the bond which accom panied his bid ; but in case each and every of the next lowest bidders for such service whose respective bids are not considered too high by the Postmaster General shall refuse to enter into contract and give bond as herein required for the faithful perfor mance of his contract, the Postmaster Gen eral shall immediately advertise for propo r.als to perform the service on said route. Whenever an accepted bidder shall fail to enter into contract, or a contractor on any mail-route shall fail or refuse to perform the service on said route according to his con tract, or when a new route shal1 be estab lished, or new service required, or when from any other cause there shall not be a contractor legally bound or required to perform such service, the Postmaster Gen eral may make a temporary contract for car rvimr the mail on such route, without ad vertisement, for such period as may be ne cessary, not in any case exceeding six months, until the service shall have com menced under a contract made according to law : Provided, however, That the Post master General shall not employ temporary service on any route at a higher price than that paid to the contractor who shall have pertormed tne service during tne last pre ceding regular contract term. And in all cases of regular contracts hereafter made, the contract may, in the discretion of the Postmaster General, be continued in force bevond its express terms for a period not exceeding six months, until a new contract with the same, or other contractors, shall be made by the Postmaster General. Bidders not released until a contract is entered into and service begun. Sec. 2o2. That no bidder for carrying the mails shall be released from his obligation under his bid or proposal, notwithstanding an award made to a lower bidder, until a con tract for the designated service shall have been duly executed by such lower bidder and his sureties, and accepted, and the ser vice filtered upon by the contractor to the satisfaction of the Postmaster General. Certified Checks or Drafts to accompany all bids when the sum exceeds $5,000. Sec. 253. That hereafter all bidders upon every mail route for the transpor tation of the mails upon the same, where the annual compensation for the service on such route at the time ex ceeds the sum of five thousand dollars, shall accompany their bids with a cer tified check, or draft, payable to the or der of the Postmaster General, upon some solvent national bank, which check or draft shall not be less than five per centum on the amount of the annual pay on said route at the time such bid is made ; ana in case or new or moaineu service, nor less than nve per centum oi the amount of the bond ot the bidder required to accompany his bid, if the amount of the said bbnd exceeds five thousand dollars. In case any bidder, on being awarded any such contract, shall fail to execute the same, with good and sufficient sureties, according to the terms on which such bid was made and accepted, and enter upon the perform ance of the servico to the satisfaction of the Postmaster General, such bidder shall, in addition to his liability on his bond accompanying his bid, forfeit the amount so deposited to the United States, and the same shall forthwith be paid into the Treasury for the use of the Post Office Department; but if such contract shall be duly executed and the service entered upon as aforesaid, such draft or check so deposited, and the checks or drafts deposited by all other bidders on the same route, shall be re turned to the respective bidders mak ing such deposits. No proposals for the transportation of the mails -where the amount of the bond required to ac company the same shall exceed five thousand dollars shall be considered, unless accompanied with the check or draft herein required, together with the bond required by a preceding section : Provided, That nothing in this act shall be construed or intended to affect any Eenalties or forfeitures which have eretofore accrued under the provisions of the sections hereby amended, ; j Failing contractors guilty of a misde meanor. Sec 254, That any person or persons biddintr lor the transportation or the mails upon any route which may be ad vertised to be let. ana receiving an award of the contract for such service, who shall wronsrfully refuse or fail to enter into contract with the Postmaster General in due form, and perform the service described in his or their bid or proposal, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction there of, be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by imprison ment for a term not exceeding twelve months. Ab pay to be made until contracts are executed. Sec. 159. That no person whoso bid for carrying the mail is accepted shall receive any pay until he has executed his contract according to law and the regulations of the Department. Compensation for additional service re stricted and regulated. Sec. 260. That compensation for ad ditional service in carrying the mail shall not be in excess of the exact pro portion which the original compensa tion bears to the original service : and when any such additional service is or dered, the sum to be allowed therefor shall be expressed in the order, and en tered upon the books of the Department; andnooompensationshallbepaidforany additional regular service rendered be fore the issuing of such order. Sec. 2G1. That no extra allowance shall be made for any increase of expe dition in carrying the mail unless there by the employment of additional stock and carriers is made necessary, and in such case the additional compensation shall bear no greater proportion to the additional stock and carriers necessarily employed than the compensation in the original contract bears to the stock and carriers necessarily employed in its exe cution. Deductions may be made, and fines im posed, for delinquencies. Sec. 266. That the Postmaster General may make deductions from the pay of contractors for failures to perform ser vice according lo contract, and impose fines upon them for other delinquencies. He may deduct the price of the trip in all cases where the trip is not per formed ; and not exceeding three times the price if the failure be occasioned by the fault of the contractor or carrier. Contracts cannnot be assigned nor trans ferred. Sec. 271. That no contractor for trans porting the mail within or between the United States and any foreign country shall assign or transfer his contract, and all such assignments or transfers shall be null and void. Schedules to be furnished and posted up in post offices. Registers to be re turned and reports made. Sec. 70. That the Postmaster General shall furnish to the postmasters at the termination of each route a schedule of the time of arrival and departure of the mail at their offices, respectively, to be posted in a conspicuous place in the office; and the Postmaster General shall also give the postmaster notice of any change in the arrival and departure that may be ordered ; and he shall cause to be kept and returned to the Depart ment, at short and regular intervals, registeis showing the exact times of the arrivals and departures of the mail. By act of Congress approved April 21, 1808, no 'member of Congress can be a contractor, or be concerned, directly or indirectly, in any contract with the Government; and by the same act it is made a high misdemeanor for any offi cer of the United States to enter, in its behalf, into a contract with a member of Congress. But if a member withdraw from a contract it may be concluded with the other partners. Opinion of Attorney General, 4, 47. A contract with one who is elected a member of Congress during its continuance is not affected by such election. Ibid., 5, 697. Tlie Postmaster General has no power, under the law, to release bidders and contractors and their sureties from their liabilities on the allegation oj real or supposed mistakes of any kind in mak ing proposals. He particularly requests that, before bidding, the fullest inquiry and investigation be made in regard to the route, distance, service, weight of mails, cost of stock, feed, and all expenses existing and likely to occur during the co7itract term, and with dice considera tion of the consequences imposed by law on delinquents. Contracts to be executed and filed in the Department by the first day of June. Under the provisions of section 245 of the act approved June 23, 1874, the Post master General has prescribed the 1st day of June, 1875, on or before which day the contracts of accepted, bidders must be received at the Department in Washington, executed in due form. Accepted bidders not complying with this regulation shall be considered as having failed to comply with their pro posals, and the Postmaster General may proceed to contract for the service with other parties, according to law. Contracts received at the De partment after June 1st will not be considered by the postmaster General. FORJI OIF FKOPOSAL, BOAD, AND CERTIFICATE. Proposal. The undersigned , whose post-office address is , county of , State of , proposes to carry the mails of the United States, from July 1, 1875, to June 30, 1876, on route No. , between and , State ot , under the advertise ment of the Postmaster General dated October 1, 1874, 44 with celerity, cer tainty, and security," for the annual sum of dollars ; and if this pro posal is accepted he will enter into con tract, with sureties to be approved by the Postmaster General, within the time prescribed in said advertisement. This proposal is made with fall knowl edge of the distance of the route, the weight of the mail to be carried, and all other particulars in reference to theroute and service ; and also, after careful ex amination of the laws and instructions attached to advertisement of mail service. Dated Bidder. Oath required by section 245 of an act of Congress approved June'Zi, 1874, to be affixed to each bid for carrying the mail, and to be taken before an officer fualified to administer oatus. , of , bidder for carrying the man on route iNo. , from to , do swear that I have the ability, pecuniarily, to fulfill my obligation as such bidder ; that the bid is made in good faith, and with the intention to enter into contract and per form the servico in case said bid shall be accepted. Sworn to and subscribed be fore me, of - for the day this- of A n 1C7 ana in seal. testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name and affix my official seal the day and year aforesaid. Note. When the oath is taken be fore a justice of the peace, or any other officer not usiDg a seal, except a judge of a United States court, the certificate of the clerk of a court of record must be added, under his seal of office, that the person who administered the oath is duly qualified as such officer. Bids of $5,000 and upwards must bf accompanied by a certified check, or draft, delinquency be promptly and sitisfac- -on some solvent national bank, payable torily explained by certificates of post to Me ofderof the rostmaster General, masters or the affidavits of other credU equal 1$ 5 per centum on the present an- ble persons, for falling to arrive In con nual pay on the route; or in case of new tract time; for neglectinp: to tako the servce,noi tess man & per centum of the I man from, or deliver it into, a post of amount of the bond accompanying the I nco ; for suffering It to be wet, injured. ' AiVf. if Anifl hand. rMAf fti oon I rtatrtwraA mhkiJl . .,i ' The proposal must be signed by the Diaaer or umaers, ana mo date of sign ins: affixed. Direct to the "Second Assistant Post master general, Post Office Department. Washington, D. C," marked "Proposals, State of L ! I Directions. 5flnsert the names of the principal and sureties in full in the bodv of the bond: also the date. The signatures to the bond should bo witnessed, and the certificate on the inside should be signed by a justice of the peace, adding his offi cial titlef or, if signed by a Notary Pub lic, he should affix his seal. Knowjall men by these presents, tliat 1 , of in the State of principal, and and State of of in the . as sureties, "are held and firmlv bound unto the United States of Ameri ca in the! j nst and full sum of dol lars, lawful money of the United States, to be paid to the said United States of America! or its duly appointed or au thorizedlofflcer or officers; to the pay ment of which, well and truly to be made aad done, we bindourselves, our heirs, executors, and administrators, jointly ajnd severally, firmly by these presentsj. Sealed:, with our seals, and dated this day, of , 187 . Whereas, by an act of Congress ap proved June 23, 1874, entitled "An Act making appropriations for the service of the Pjost Office Department lor the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eigh teen hundred and seventy-five, and for other purposes," it is provided: "that every proposal for carrying the mail shall be accompanied by the bond of the bidder, with sureties approved by a postmaster," in pursuance whereof, and in compliance with the provisions of said law, this bond is made and exe cuted, subject to all the terms, condi tions, and remedies thereon, in the said act provided and prescribed, to accom pany the aforegoing and annexed pro posal of the said -. Now, the condition of the said obliga tion is such, that if the said , bidder as aforesaid, shall, within such time after his bid is accepted as the Postmaster General has prescribed in said advertisement of route No. , to wit, on or before the 1st day of June, 1875, enter into a contract with the United States of America, with good and sufficient sureties to be approved by the Postmaster General, to perform the serivice proposed in his said bid, and further shall perform said service according to his contract: then this ob ligation shall be void, otherwise to be in full force and obligation in law. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our bands and seals this day of : , 187 . L. S. L. S. Ij. S. Witness i - STATE OF ColJXTY OP ss. On this day of , 187 , per sonally appeared before me and , sureties in the aforegoing bond, to me known to be the persons named in said bond as sure ties, and who have executed the same as such, who being by me duly sworn, depose and say, and each for himself deposes and says, he has executed the within bond, that his place of residence is correctly stated therein, that he is the owner of real estate worth the sum hereinafter set against his name over and above all debts due and owing by him, and all judgments, mortgages, and executions against him. after allowing all exemptions of every character what ever, the total sum thus assured amounting to ($ ) dollars. $ . . . Subscribed and sworn before me this day of , 187 . Note. When the above oath is taken before a justice of the peace or any other officer not using a'seal, except a Judge of a U. S. Court, the certificate of the clerk of a court of record must be added, under his seal of office, that the person who administered the oath is duly qualified as such officer. STATE OF County of - I, clerk of the the same being a Court of Record, do here by certify that , whose gen uine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit, was, at the time of signing the name, a justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, duly qualified, and that all bis official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit. In testimony whereof, I have hereun to set my hand as clerk, and affixed the seal of said court, on this day of , 187 . Clerk. CERTIFICATE OF POSTMASTER. I, the undersigned postmaster at , State of r , after the exercise of due diligence to inform myself of the pecuniary ability and responsibility of j the principal and his sureties in the aforegoing bond, and of the unincum bered real estate owned by them, re spectively, do hereby approve said bond and certify that the said sureties are suf ficient sufficient to insure the payment of double the entire amount of the said bond ; and I do further certify that the said bond was duly signed by and and 'r. his sureties, before signing this certificate. Postmaster. Dated - 187 INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDEItSAXD I : ; postmasters; Containing also conditions to be incor corpofated in the contracts to the, ex tenttfie Department may deem proper. 1. Seven minutes are allowed to each interijiediate office, when not otherwise specified, for assorting the mails. 2. On routes where the mode of con veyance admits of it, the special agents of the Post Office Department, also post office blanks, mail bags, locks and keys, are to be conveyed without extra charge. 3. Way bills" or receipts, prepared by postmasters or other agents of the Department, will accompany the mails, specifying the number and destination of the several bags, to be examined by the postmasters, to insure regularity in the delivery of Dags and pouches. 4. No, pay will be made for trips not performed ; and for each of such -omission, if the failure be occasioned by the fault of the contractor Or carrier, three times the pay of the trip will be deduct ed. For arrivals so far behind time as to break connection with depending mails, and not sufficiently excused, one fourth of the compensation for the trip ia subject to forfeiture. For repeated delinquencies of the kind herein speci fied,! enlarged penalties, proportioned to the nature thereof and the import ance ofj the mail, may be made. 5. For leaving behind or throwing off the mails, or any portion of them, for the admission of passengers, or for be-, ing concerned in setting up or running an express conveying intelligence in advance of the mail, a quarter's pay may be deducted. 6. Fines will be imposed, unless the I fusing, after demand,, to convey, the ; - I mail as frequently as the contractor runs.or is concerned in running, a coach. car, or steamboat on a route. ' 7. The Postmaster General may annul the contract for repeated failures! to run agreeably to contract : for violating the postofflce laws, or disobeying tho In-, ftructions of the Department; fof refus-' ing to discharge a carrier when required by the Department to do so: for run ning an express as aforesaid ; j or for transporting persons or packages con veying mailable matter out of tb mail.' 3. The Postmaster General matr order an increase of service on a routft by al lowing therefor a pro rata increase on the contract pay. lie may change sched ules of departures and arrivals in all cases, and particularly to make them conform to connections -with railroads, without increaso of pay, provided the running time be not abridged. The Postmaster General may also discon tinue or curtail the service, In whole or in part, in order to place on the route superior service, or whenever the pub lic interests, in his judgment, shall re quire such discontinuance or curtail- ' ment for any other cause; he allowing, as full indemnity to contractor, one month's extra vmv on the amount of service dispensed with, and J pro rata compensation for the amonnt of servico retained and continued. 9. Payments will be made by collec tions from, or draft on, postmasters or otherwise, after the expiration of each quarter say in November, February, May, and August, provided that re- quired evidence of service has been re ceived. i 10. The distances given aro believed to be substantially correct ; but no In creased pay will be allowed should they bei greater than advertised, if the points to bo supplied are correctly stated. Bid- dei-s must inform themselves on this point. and also in reference to the weight of the mail, the condition of hills, roads, streams, fcc., and all toll-bridges, turn pikes, plank-roads, ferries, orobstruc-4 tions of any kind by which expense may j bo Incurred. No claim, for additional pay, based on such ground, can be con sidered; nor for alleged mistakes or misapprehension as to the degree of ser vice; nor for bridges destroyed, ferries discontinued, other obstructions caus ing or increasing distance or expense occurring during the contract term. Offices established after thiis advertise ment is issued, and also during the con- , tract term, are to be visited without ex tra pav, if the distance be not Increased. 11. bidders are cautioned to mail their proposals in time to roach the Do- ; partmentby the day and hour named n the advertisement, as bids received after that time will not be considered In competition with bids of reasonable amount received in time. Neither can bids be considered which are wilhout the bond, oath, and certificate requlrod by section 245, act of June 23, 1874. 12. Bidders should first propose for service strictly, according to the adver tisement, and then, if they deslro, sep arately for different service; and If the regular bid be the lowest offerod for tho , advertised service, the other proposi tlons may be considered. 13. There should bo but one route bid for in a proposal. Consolidated or com bination bids ("proposing one sum for two or more routes") cannot be consid ered 14. ' The route, the service, the yearly pay, the name and residence of tho bid der, (that is, his usual post-offico ad dress,) and the name of each member of a firm where a company offers, should be dlstinctlv stated. 15. Bidders aro requested to use, as far as practicable, the printed proposals furnished by tho Department, to write out in full the sum of their bids, and to retain copies of them. v Altered bids should not be submitted. No withdrawal of a bid will be allowed unless tho withdrawal is received twenty-four hours previous to the timo fixed for opening the proposals. 16. In caso oi failure of the accented bidder to execute a contract, or of tho abandonment of service during the con- . tract term, the service will be re-adrer tised and re-let at the expense of tho tailing bidder or contractor. 17. Tho Postmaster General resorres the right to reject any bid which may bo . deemed extravagant; and also to disre gard the bids of failing contractors and bidders. (Act of June 8, 1872, section 249. ) i ' 18. The bid should be sealed, super-, scribed 44 Mail Proposals, State of North Carolina," addressed "Second Assistant Postmaster General, Contract Office." 19. Every proposal must be accompa nied by a bond with sureties approved by a postmaster, and In cases where tho amount of the bond exceeds five thous and dollars ($5,000) by a postmaster of the first, second, or third class. Bids for service, the pay for which at the timo of advertisement exceeds five thousand dollars,( $5,000,) must be accompanied by a certified check, or draft, payable to the order of the Postmaster General, on some solvent national bank, of not less than five per centum on the amount of the annual pay on such route, and In case of now or modified service, not less , than five per centum of the amount of the bond accompanying tho bid, if tho amount of said bond exceeds ($5,000) five thousand dollars. The amount of bond required with bids, and tho present pay when It ex ceeds ($5,000) five thonsand dollars, aro stated in the advertisement under the appropriate route. . . 20. All checks deposited with bids will bo held until contract is executed and the service commenced by tho ac cepted bidder. Checks will not be re lumed by mail, but the bidder himself, or . some one upon his order, must receive them in person, and receipt for them on i the books of the Department i 21. Transfers of contracts, or of inter est in contracts, are forbidden bylaw, and consequently cannot be allowed. Neither can bids, or interest in bids, be transferred or assigned to other parties. Bidders will therefore take notice that: . . they will be expected to perform the service awarded to them through the whole contract term. , . r 2. Section 249 of the act of June 8, 1872, provides that contracts for the tran portation of the mail shall be awarded to the lowest bidder tendering sufficient guarantees for faithful performance. Without other reference to the mode of . such transportation than may bo neces- . sary to provide for the due celerity, cer tainty, and security thereof." Under this law bids that propose to transport the mails with " celerity, certainty, and Security,1' having been decided to be the only legal bids, are construed as provid ing for the entire mail, however large, and , whatever may be the mode of conveyance . necessary to insure its "celerity 'j cer- tainty, and security," and hav the pref erence over all others and no others are . considered, except for steamboat routes. . 23. A modification of a bid in any of its essential terms is tantamount to a -new bid, and cannot be received so a- to interfere with regular competitions Making a new bid in proper form Is tho only way to modify a previous one. 24. Postmasters are cautioned not to ; sign the approval of the bond of any bidder before the bond is signed by the bidder and his sureties, and not until entirely satisfied of the sufficiency of the sureties. See sections 246 and 247, act of June 23,1874, accompanying thia advertisement. - . ;r . 25. Postmasters are also liable to dis missal from office for acting as agents of contractors or bidders, with or with out compensation, in any business, matter, or thing relating to the mallser-. vice. They are the trusted agents of the Department, and cannot consistently act in both capacities. . MARSHALL JEWELL, -Postmaster QenefQh , i

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