Dr Sir
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 Oblige
Your Friend
E 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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[ docketing ]
Draft

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1A map/diagram appears on page 4.

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,