sed navigable waters of other nationalities
on this continent, especially the tributaries of the two great rivers
of South America, the Orinoco and the Amazon. Nothing prevents,
under existing laws, such exploration, except that expenditures
must be made in such expeditions beyond those usually provided for
in the appropriations. The field designated is unquestionably one
of interest and one capable of large development of commercial
interests--advantageous to the peoples reached and to those who
may establish relations with them.

Education of the people entitled to exercise the right of franchise
I regard essential to general prosperity everywhere, and especially so
in republics, where birth, education, or previous condition does not
enter into account in giving suffrage. Next to the public school, the
post-office is the great agent of education over our vast territory. The
rapidity with which new sections are being settled, thus increasing the
carrying of mails in a more rapid ratio than the increase of receipts,
is not alarming. The report of the Postmaster-General herewith attached
shows that there was an increase of revenue in his Department in 1873
over the previous year of $1,674,411, and an increase of cost of
carrying the mails and paying employees of $3,041,468.91. The report of
the Postmaster-General gives interesting statistics of his Department,
and compares them with the corresponding statistics of a year ago,
showing a growth in every branch of the Department.

A postal convention has been concluded with New South Wales, an exchange
of postal cards established with Switzerland, and the negotiations
pending for several years past with France have been terminated in a
convention with that country, which went into effect last August.

An international postal congress was convened in Berne, Switzerland, in
September last, at which the United States was represented by an officer
of the Post-Office Department of much experience and of qualification
for the position. A convention for the establishment of an international
postal union was agreed upon and signed by the delegates of the
countries represented, subject to the approval of the proper authorities
of those countries.

I respectfully direct your attention to the report of the
Postmaster-General and to his suggestions in regard to an equitable
adjustment of the question of compensation to railroads for carrying the
mails.

Your attention will be dra