Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
MS050 B02 F15.01 |
Title |
Jeremiah Libbey to John Langdon |
Scope & Content |
Two-page letter from Jeremiah Libbey in Portsmouth to John Langdon in Philadelphia. Transcription by Cecilia Paquette: Portsmouth April 28th. 1790 Dear Sir Knowing that the Public Affairs occupy your Attention, and that you are often receiving Letters from your friends, has prevented me from the pleasure of writing to you Sir, for fear of Interrupting you from more Important matters than is within my sphere, but having seen the Post Office Bill as reported to the House, bro't my promise (fresh in my mind) of writing to you on the subject of a Post to the back parts of this State. I observe by the Bill, the Post Master General, with the Consent of the President, may Farm, any of the Cross Roads, for a number of Years, whether a Post from Portsmouth to the upper part of the State would be considered as a Cross Post, I cannot determine, as we several times Observed in the design of Establishing posts, was for Communication for the Benefit of Commerce, and raising a revenue, and that it ought to be as equal as possible--is that the case with New Hampshire? we now have a post at the Public expence about Eighteen Miles in this State, how much is paid by the Inhabitants to= =wards defraying the Expence of the Riders is known. That part of Massachusetts, called the Province of Main, has a post from this to Portland, at the Public expence, and I am told have also one from Portland fifty Miles fur= =ther east, at the same expence, how much is paid by the Inhabitants on that rout, may also be known, and by Comparing the distance travelled & the Expence paid, by the Public, with the Amount paid by said Inhabitants, a Judge= =ment may be formed, whether they are Allowed Allowed, or Indulged with a greater proportion of Posts at the Public charge, than New Hampshire. I mention that part, because I am better ac- quainted with it than any other, perhaps there are circumstances attending that rout, that may make it more equal, than some may Imagine. If it should be found on examination, that New Hampshire can be Indulged, with a post from this to the Back part of this State, it would serve the State greatly, with respect to farming it, that is out of the Question. If by farming is ['the' redacted] meant that the Person Contracting is to receive no pay from the Public, for th'o the rout is of Consequence to the Inhabitants, the Business at Present will not pay the Ex= =pence, and whether under all circumstances New Hampshire is entitled to any additional post in the State, at the Public expence, must be determined by those whose province it is. I have mention'd this Subject according to my promise, and in Confidence to you Sir, must beg it as a favour it may not be known I have had any thing to say about it, as it might be tho't meddling with matters I had no business with-- I am Dear Sir with much Esteem & respect Your Most Humble Servant Jeremiah Libbey PS. please to present my best regards to our good friend Mr Hazard how does he do? is he yet had any provision made him by Public for his _____ [in Langdon's hand] Answered [right margin, in Langdon's hand] Mr. J Libbey Letter |
Collection |
John Langdon Papers |
Object Name |
Letter |
Date |
April 28, 1790 |
People |
Langdon, John, 1741-1819 Libbey, Jeremiah, 1748-1824 Hazard, Ebenezer, 1744-1817 |
Subjects |
Merchants Philadelphia (Pa.) Postal service Postmasters House of Representatives |