James A. Williamson to Hamilton Fish, August 26, 1874

No 85. Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.

Sir: As the amount of correspondence of a country is an element of calculation in forming an opinion of its progress in civilization, I have the honor to send you herewith a comparative tabulated statement, published on the 21st of this month by the post-office department of Guatemala.

It is said to be the first public paper of the kind ever published in Central America. I shall take the liberty of suggesting to the postmaster-general, whom I know quite well, and who is one of the most progressive men I have met with in Central America, that it would be well to show, in his next statement, the amount of domestic and foreign correspondence separately, and also to make separate columns by countries for foreign correspondence.

I have, &c.,