This was an old established line from the East Coast to California. Service was entirely by STEAM: Atlantic Mail Steamship service to the Panama Railroad to the Pacific Mail Steamship service. "No Boating or Mule Travel!" Mail and passenger service leaves twice a month on the 1st and 16th. Rates for passengers varied from Upper Deck at $350 per person to Steerage $125 per person. NO PASSPORT REQUIRED. The original overland route was first carried out by the Pacific Mail Steamship Company (PMSSCo.) using mules and canoes to cross the isthmus. This service was quite unsatisfactory, often having delays. Late in 1849, the government of New Granada assumed responsibility for the carriage of mail across the isthmus, and they subcontracted the service to Panamanian firms. This did not turn out to be any improvement in the service. Beginning January 1, 1852, the Panama Railroad (PRR) entered into a contract with the Post Office Department to carry the mails on a per pound basis. As the railroad neared completion, this arrangement was changed to a flat rate of $100,000 per annum. The railroad was completed in late January of 1855, and the mail crossing of the isthmus became a short train ride of a few hours. This contract expired in 1865. CA

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