Of which 2 vessels are of 800 horse power. ” 4 ” 650 ” ” 26 ” 400 and upwards to 520 horse power. ” 5 ” 250 and upwards to 380 ” ” 7 ” 140 and upwards to 240 ” The first thirty-two vessels being of the tonnage and power of the steam frigates of the Royal Navy--the remaining twelve vessels of the power and tonnage of the steam sloops and gun vessels of the Royal Navy. By a stipulation in the Mail Contracts, these vessels, with the exception of a few which are under 400-horse power, are required to be so constructed as to be able to carry and fire guns of the largest calibre used in the war steamers, and the Government have the power of employing them for warlike purposes, if required. The vessels under 400-horse power are included in the above list, as they would, without doubt, be also placed at the disposal of the Government if required. Assuming that this reserve fleet supersedes the necessity, as it surely ought to do, of the employment of war steamers to the extent of only one-fourth of its number, a financial saving to the country of from £250,000 to £300,000 per annum on that account is due to the Contract Packet Service. The annual amount paid to these three Companies for the East India and China, Mediterranean and Peninsular, West Indian, Mexican, &c., and North American Contract Mail Services is £589,000. The returns for postage, as estimated by the Post-office, is about £380,000--leaving an apparent cost to the pubic of £209,000 for these communications. But it appears, from the circumstance stated by Mr. Anderson, that at least half of this apparent deficiency is made good to the exchequer by taxes on consumption, proceeding from the increase of commerce and industrial resources consequent on the establishment of _one branch_ of _one Company’s_ communications only; and it surely cannot be an exaggerated estimate to assume that the whole of the other improved communications of that and the other Companies make good to the exchequer, in a similar manner, at least the other half.