asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he intended to explain to the House the precise terms of the mail contracts which were on the Paper for to-day.

The contracts and Treasury Minutes were laid upon the Table of the House a few days ago, but they have not yet been circulated. There would, no doubt, be some objection to taking these Orders to-day. I propose, however, to make a statement in regard to them, and if the House is satisfied with my statement the contracts might be approved to-day.