Enclosed is a petition to the Post Master General from citizens of this neighborhood, for a new post route. The petition was drawn in great haste, in a crowd, & on a bitter cold day, with fingers so benumbed that the penn could with difficulty be held, and consequently is a botch. To explain it more fully, I will recapitulate. It might be well to first say that the move is made by all the people in that part of the county adjacent to the mountain—from Amherst to Albemarle—Whigs & Democrats uniting cordially in it. You will observe D^r Legins name & F. L Whiteheads, both leaders of the “simon [pures?]” on the list. Our object is to connect immediately with the daily line from Richmond; & Brookville in the upper part of Albemorle (near Rockpit Gap) is the best point for us. As At present we connect by a semi-weekly mail from Mape’s Mills. (officially known as Tye River Mills) to Livingston, with a tri-weekly mail, thence to Charlottsville, where it meets with the daily mails. The mail (tri weekly) from Charlottsville to Linchburg, through this county, is arranged solely for the benifit of Lynchburg, giving that place a daily mail with the other routes meeting there. It is that line that we have to connect with. It is arbitrary and oppresive and benefits none here: Give us an immediate connexion with the daily line and we can arrange our semi-weekly so as to meet it the day after the issuing of the ‘Whig,” the “Times’ and the “Enquirer” & get our papers before they will get them in Lovingston. The distance between Brooks-

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ville and Rose Mills (in Amhest) the two termini, is about 30 miles. a very short days ride. It will embrace in its direct route the present office at Greenfield, Tye River Mills, & Roseland, and is obliged to pay for itself. All we ask at your hands is a special semi-weekly line from Brooksville, Albemarle to Rose Mills Amherst, (to be carried on horseback,) including in its route Greenfield, Tye River Mills, and Roseland, and we will ensure old “Cave” from pecuniary loss. There is a route (semi-weekly) already from Brooksville to Lovingston thence to New Market (Tye River Ware House) but that line does not come near us and has ^no^ interest whatever with the proposed one. I mention it, lest appearances might make an obstacle. Bye the bye I am afraid you an old “Cave” havn’t much brotherly feeling for each other. your late report and remarks against him, hit him hard. Hit him again, but get our route first.

You must write me and let me into the under currents of the day. Does M^r Clay intend to run again? If not, why and the devil don’t he say so? If his chance for success was only tolerable I would go for his nomination against the whole world. Old Jack. and his friends will carry the day in my opinion. As at present advised I should go for him. Tho’ I must say I feel much as if I were “[oragooned?]” into the position. It is mighty like “going it blind.” The only immediate antidote with me, is, that the country, the whole country, has every thing to gain & but little to loose. Gen Taylor may make us a great & patriotick President. M^r Clay certainly would. But give me the devil himself, before any vile, [thievest?] Locofoco. Polk for instance. I must close. So good bye.

Tye River Mills V^a

Jan 27^th

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