§ MR. W. H. SMITHasked the Postmaster General, Whether he is aware that the Argentine Government has given notice of the withdrawal, on the 1st July next, from the English and French Consuls, of the privilege of receiving and despatching bags of letters by the Mail Steamers of their respective Countries: Whether any steps have been taken to prevent any threatened large increase of the already high rates of postage to the Argentine Republic; and, whether it is proposed to enter into any postal convention with that Government?
§ MR. MONSELLSir, the Argentine Government have issued a decree withdrawing concessions previously made in favour of the French and British Post Office agencies in Buenos Ayres, and requiring that all letters sent out of the Republic after the 1st of July next shall be posted at the local Post Office. It is impossible for us to prevent the Argentine Government from levying any Argentine rate of postage to which such letters may be liable by the Laws of the Republic, and it is not proposed to enter into any postal Convention with that Government.