In answer to your letter of yesterday I have the honor to state that contracts were entered into with E. P. Guion on the Route from Raligh to Fayetteville north Carolina. and Benjamin [...?] Laughlin [...?] the route from Fayetteville to [?] Columbia S. C,—to carry mails in two horse coaches at the aggregate sum of $12 340 pr ann. with the privilege of ordering the great mail on the routes at $41 120 pr an—that on the [3?] Dec 1844. the great mail was ordered on the routes and that on the 6. February 1845. the great mail service was annulled and two months extra pay was allowed on the amount saved viz. $28.280 being the difference between the great mail service & the ordinary service

It is unusual to allow more than one months Extra pay when a route is reduced but in this case an exception was made on account of the peculiar service and the large outlay & expense to be incurred to stock the routes—according to the universal rule of the Department

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the extra pay was cost upon the amount saved $28 280 as above stated. The contracters claim it on the whole cost of the great mail service including ordinary service. The amount allowed was $4.713.33. The amount claimed $6.853 33 Difference $2.140. This is the issue presented by the contracters.

a more detailed statement of facts is communicated to the Hon J. D. Westcott Jr of the Judiciary committee of the senate to enable Congress to act understandingly on the subject.