._ per annum, each, ought to be charged as the
capital necessary to replace the sailing-packets.]

As regards the Post-office revenue, it is impossible, in the absence
of full official returns, to state its present exact amount, and,
consequently, the probable future increase. The revenue from the
outward postages to the British West Indian Colonies, Honduras
excepted, is inserted in the Appendix from official authority. Judging
from it, and other data, also adduced from official authority, the
present amount there stated cannot be far wrong; and the calculated
increase under the arrangements proposed, every circumstance
considered, is fair and reasonable. Besides the certain great increase
in all the external postages in these countries and colonies and
places, the internal and coasting postages in these places will be
augmented to a very great extent. Taking the outward postages at
present to be, to all the places mentioned, 100,000_l._--inwards as
much, 200,000_l._--there may be added, Additions 100,000_l._; (p. 054)
Increase 70,000_l._; total 370,000_l._; viz., outwards 185,000_l._,
and inwards as much; giving at the average postage of 2_s._ 5_d._ the
number of letters each way to be 1,531,465.

As regards the Harbour-charges, in the British Colonies, these may be
given up, or reduced to a small sum for the trouble which the Custom
Houses may be put to; and in foreign ports it should be arranged by
compacts with the respective governments, that the port dues should be
reduced to a small sum, for two reasons,--because the vessels carry
the mails, and because they are on that account restricted to a small
portion of the whole cargo, which they could otherwise take. The
charges might be made proportionate: there could not be much
difficulty in arranging these points. In some of the minor ports
(foreign), the steamers would not even come to anchor.

WEST INDIES.--INTERNAL POST OFFICES.

The internal communications in the West Indies by post are very
inefficient, even where they exist, but in most colonies these are
altogether wanting.

Communication in the West Indies on business, and in the affairs of
public and private life, is principally carried on by correspondence;
and from the particular circumstances of these colonies, more so in
proportion than in other countries.

The way in which this extensive and general communication is carried
on is by letter sent by servants or hired mess