§ MR. MAURICE HEALYI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether there has been any change within the past 12 months in the practice of the American Post Office in the selection of vessels for the carriage of mails from America to the United Kingdom; and whether it is the fact that whereas until recently the mails were despatched from New York by the vessel having the fastest record, whether sailing to Liverpool or Southampton, the mails are now in all cases sent to Southampton unless in the case of letters specially addressed?
§ MR. A. MORLEYNow that there are packets sailing under the American flag, the United States Post Office does not always select in absolute accordance with the records of the respective steamers. When, for instance, the Paris or New York sails with the Teutonic or Majestic, and the disparity of speed is not great, the United States Post Office sends the bulk of the mails by the American packet, and the Irish and specially addressed letters by the English steamer; but when there is a marked difference between the speed of two steamers, the faster takes the bulk mails, whether bound for Liverpool or for Southampton.