"4. _Northern Islands Route._--From Grenada to St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominique, Guadalupe, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitt's, Tortola, St. Thomas, and St. John's, (Porto Rico)--steamer, every 15 days. "5. _Jamaica and Mexican Route._--From Grenada to Jacmel, (Hayti,) Kingston, Havana, Vera Cruz, and Tampico--steamer, every 30 days. "6. _Jamaica and St. Iago de Cuba Route._--From Grenada to Jacmel, Kingston, St. Iago de Cuba, St. Juan's, (Porto Rico,) and St. Thomas--steamer, every 30 days. "7. _Bermuda, Havana, and Jamaica Route._--From St. Thomas to Bermuda, Nassau, Havana, Kingston, Jacmel, St. Juan's, and St. Thomas--steamer, every 30 days. "8. _Homeward Fayal Route._--From St. Thomas to Southampton--steamer, every 30 days. "9. _Laguayra Route._--From Grenada to Laguayra, Porto Cabello, and St. Thomas--steamer, every 30 days. "10. _Panama and St. Iago de Cuba Route._--From Kingston (Jamaica) to Santa Martha, Carthagena, Chagres, and St. Juan de Nicaragua--steamer, every 30 days. "11. _Honduras Route._--From Havana to Balize, (Honduras)--sailing schooner, every 30 days." "The contract system, combining the efficient features of an extended commercial and Government steam marine, was thus adopted after full investigation on the subject by the Board of Admiralty, the Treasury, and the different Government Departments, including the Post Master General. The merits and benefits of this system have been tested by England. That Government was the first to engage in it, and, as we have already stated, fully approve, and are constantly extending it. The Committee of Inquiry of Parliament, as we have already quoted, say truly that it 'had tended largely to increase the steam tonnage of that country, to encourage private enterprise in scientific discovery, and the regulation and economical management of steam.' After an examination of it in the most scientific and practical manner, that Government regards it as altogether more economical for the nation, and for the general public interests, than the exclusive employment of Government vessels. The ships built by the contract companies have far exceeded in speed and other essential qualities the ships constructed by Government. A far greater amount of service was obtained, at a cost much less than would be incurred by Government in building, equipping, manning, and running national vessels for even a partial performance of the same service. Individual and associated skill, enterprise, and capital were called into requisition, and, aided by Government means, contributed to enlarge, extend, and fortify the naval and commercial power of England.