Marple April 26th 1848Dr Sir
Your FriendE R Curtis
You will receive with this letter petitions for the establishing of a new post route
and post offices through the county of Delaware which we would be truly thankfull if you would take an interest in forwarding to the post master general, as I assure
you we suffer much inconvenience from the distance we are from the present established
routs[.] Since the petitions were drawn up we have thought it would save expense to the post
office department if the post rider who carries the mail on the West Chester Road
would return by the proposed new route It would make the distance only 5 miles more
than it is at present[.] You will see by the enclosed Draft drawn up by Dr J Wilson the plan of the route
and the distances You will oblige a number of your constituents in Del. Co. by giving
this business a little attention[.] If you would be so kind as to write to either Dr J Wilson or myself (directed to
Gibbons post office) what success the petitions have met with
You will ObligeYour FriendE R Curtis
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The annexed is a Draught of a part of Delaware County Pennsylvania, through which
it is proposed to establish an additional Post Rout. The U.S. mail is at present
carried twice a week on horse back, on the Westchester Road, from Philadelphia to
the [President?], in Edgemont Township in Delaware county a distance of 15 miles and supplies 4 offices
and returns the same day, by the same Rout. It is Respectfully suggested to establish
a new return Rout, as laid down, in Red Ink, on the annexed Draught viz. From the
President to Howelville 3 miles; from thence to the Rose Tree in Upper Providence
Township 5 miles, at which place is a store, Tavern and small village; thence to Springfield
meeting House, 3 miles, where there is a store in Harper Township, a Tavern and small
village; thence to Lobb’s store and Kellysville a large village, and within one mile
of 8 factories, a distance of 3 miles, in the Township of Upper Darby. There is at
present no Post Office, in Upper Providence, Marple nor Upper Darby, and none nearer
than between two and three miles of either of the proposed new offices, thence by
the Delaware County Turnpike 6 miles to Philada The whole distance of return rout
20 miles; the road good and Bridges where ever it cross lays streams.
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Draft
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Autograph Letter Signed, 4 page(s), RG 233, Entry 367: Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Thirtieth Congress, 1847-1849, Records of Legislative Proceedings, Petitions and Memorials, Resolutions of State Legislatures, and Related Documents Which Were Referred to Committees, 1847-1849, NAB,