Communication Report, 1837), the number of ship letters
from India for 1836, was 159,360. The New York packet ships alone
carry from 5000 to 6000 letters each. Twice each month the proposed
packets to and from England would bear an equal, perhaps even a
greater, number, under the proposed regular and prompt arrangement:
certainly all the Canadian correspondence will be very greatly
increased. This number, however, in four voyages each month, backwards
and forwards, gives at the rate, in round numbers, of 290,000 each
year. At 9_d._ each letter, the additional packet postage beyond the
ship-letter rate, would be 10,875_l._ gained to the British Post
Office.

In the Accounts above referred to, p. 54, there is entered 75,484_l._
10_s._ 8-1/4_d._, charged on the postmasters in the British West
Indies, and in British America. This sum is doubtless for the (p. 116)
unpaid letters outwards, and perhaps some internal postage. The
return postage from these quarters will exceed this sum, because more
double and treble letters come inwards than are sent outwards. There
is also a considerable sum paid in this country for letters sent by
post to the British Colonies.

In the same accounts there is entered, p. 54, 83,610_l._ 10_s._ 5_d._
received by the window men, &c. at the Foreign Post Office. A portion
of this must be for the letters outwards to the Brazils, to St.
Thomas, to the French Islands, to Honduras, to Mexico, to Havannah,
and all places in central South America, for all of which places the
postage must be paid before the letter can be forwarded. How much of
the above sum is for the purpose alluded to, is not stated, but let it
be taken at 30,000_l._ yearly outwards, and an equal sum from the same
places inwards; together, 60,000_l._

Next, there would be the gain on the NEW LINE between Halifax, New
York, and the West Indies; or, more correctly speaking, between _all_
North America and _all_ the West Indies, from Demerara to Mexico
inclusive, and including also the shores of South America on the east,
and all its western coasts, from Valparaiso on the south, to Nootka
Sound on the north. The exports and imports to and from these
quarters, with all quarters of the world, amount, in goods, produce,
specie and bills, and freights, &c. to upwards of 80,000,000_l._ a
year. The letters to which this vast trade, especially as the whole of
it is carried on by means of correspondence, must give rise, will be
immense: an