Proposes a similar arrangement for charging letter rates between Hong Kong and Japan when transmitted by these Packets, and I think it will be desirable to agree to this proposal also.
Should the Convention meet with the approval of Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, I would suggest that a few words be added stipulating that only such correspondence shall be forwarded by the Pacific Mail Steamers as shall be especially addressed to be so sent, otherwise the United States Post Office might claim that all correspondence for the United States of America should be kept over to be sent in the mails by these Packets to the inconvenience of the Public, and the Imperial Revenue!
So far as this Office is concerned, the Postal Convention can be carried into effect on the 1st September next, after the despatch of the present steamers of the Pacific lines, and if His Excellency approves this date can be inserted in Article 7.
It will be for His Excellency to determine who shall sign the Convention on behalf of this Government; Mr. Randall's letter, paragraph three, states that the Convention will be signed at Washington by an officer of the Post Office.
I have …
(Signed) F. N. Mitchell
Postmaster General.
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