My understanding with Mr. Rankin is, that when the route is fairly opened, we will run steamers in the Pacific in due connexion; and I am prepared to assign this duty to two of our smaller first-class steamers the moment I am justified in so doing. Until then, the merits of the route can be tested by arranging a schedule to conform to the arrivals at Acapulco, and, as far as possible, to the departures thence for San Francisco of our steamers now running; and the interests of the government and of the public unite in recommending such a course. Very truly, yours, WM. H. ASPINWALL, _President_. Messrs. HARRIS & MORGAN. * * * * * POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, _November 3, 1853_. GENTLEMEN: In answer to your letter of the 26th ultimo, I have to state that, at the request of Mr. Carmick, the contractor, the present schedule of the New Orleans and Vera Cruz route was arranged to connect with the contemplated route across from Vera Cruz to Acapulco, which it was proposed to run in due connexion with an independent line of steamers between Acapulco and San Francisco—thus, with the route via Panama, giving a mail four times, instead of twice a month, between the Atlantic States and California. It was not the intention to connect at Acapulco with the steamers of the Panama line, but, as above remarked, to establish an additional semi-monthly mail to run, via Vera Cruz and Acapulco, alternately at regular intervals with the line via Panama. This arrangement was made with my predecessor, Mr. Hubbard, with whom, as Postmaster General, also a conditional contract was entered into for the part of the service between Vera Cruz and San Francisco, which contract was to take effect _only from the time it should be ratified by Congress_; nor was it to have any force or validity whatever until it should receive the sanction of Congress by the passage of an appropriation to carry it into effect. No such sanction has as yet been given by Congress; but, apart from this, and without troubling you with my views on the whole subject, it is simply necessary for me to say that there can be no recognition by this department of any arrangement by which the additional semi-monthly mail, clearly contemplated by the then Postmaster General, can be dispensed with. The application, therefore, for a change of schedule on the route from New Orleans to Vera Cruz, must now be considered without reference to any trips it may be proposed to run in connexion therewith beyond. The contract requires three trips a month; you propose but two, and it is unnecessary for me to say that the number of trips stipulated for in the contract will be required. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,