United States Statutes at Large/Volume 2/12th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 34
Chap. XXXIV.—An Act in addition to an act regulating the Post-office establishment.
Act of Feb. 27, 1815, ch. 65, sec. 3, 4.
Act of March 3, 1819, ch. 106.
Steamboats may carry the mail.
Terms.
Proviso.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Postmaster-General be, and he is hereby authorized to contract for carrying mails of the United States in any steamboat or boats, which are or may be established to ply between one post town and another post town: Provided, that such contract shall not be made for a longer period than four years: And provided also, that the pay for such service, shall not be at a greater rate, taking into consideration distance, expedition, and frequency, than is paid for carrying the mail by stages on the post road, or roads, adjacent to the course of such steamboats, and that such contract shall secure the regular transportation of the mail throughout the year.
Approved, February 27, 1813.