Having learned that you were intending to make some exertions for the establishment of a Post-Route from Bellows-Falls, Vt. to Concord, N. H., and, feeling more than a passing interest in such an enterprise, I venture to drop you a line, in which I will attempt to show wherein consists my interest.

You will recognize the name of my Father, James Bowers, of the South part of Acworth, with whose location you are acquainted. He wishes me to enter into a more precise description of our vicinity, than might occur to your mind.

We are 2¼ miles from Acworth Post-Office, 5 miles from Papermill-Ville, 7 miles from Drewsville, & 11 miles from Bellows-Falls, 6 miles from Lempster & 15 miles from Newport, 8 miles form East-Lempster & 12 miles from Washington, 7 miles from S. Marlow, 15 miles from Claremont, and 10 miles from Charlestown. (Distances estimated)

A Mail is carried through Acworth, between Charlestown & Lempster, twice a week, each way, a distance of 14 miles; and the people of Acworth, are now circulating a Petition for three Mails per week.

It appears reasonable to desire a change in the Route, since, as it is, the distance of 14 miles must be passed over, to accomodate one Post-Office, (Acworth) and connect Charlestown with Lempster, which places are otherwise more immediately connected via Claremont; whereas, a Mail from Bellows-Falls to Newport, up Cold River, would pass three Post-Offices, and, could we but have one in this place, four would be passed, in a distance of some 26 miles; or, were the route to extend from Bellows-Falls to Washington, five (with one in this place) would be passed, in a distance of 23 miles, and, in either case, two places advantageously connected.

From Claremont, a Mail runs through Lempster, East Lempster, Washington & Hillsboro’ Bridge, to Concord, Nashua &c. From Charlestown, a Mail runs through Langdon, Papermill-Ville, New-Alstead, South Marlow, &c to Nashua. These routes, assisted by the Connecticut River route, have supplied us via Charlestown & Lempster, through our cross route. A Mail Route from Bellows-Falls, through Drewsville, Papermill-Ville, this place, Lempster, to Newport, or from Lempster via E Lempster to Washington instead of Newport, thence, from either place to Concord, is a desideratum, both moderate and consistent.

Acworth cannot boast of enormous business; but I believe that a majority of the business of the town, is transacted near the banks of Cold River, which marks the desired route, from near Bellows-Falls to as near Lempster Post Office. You will observe that we have but one Post-Office in Acworth, while in Walpole, Charlestown, Claremont, Lempster, Washington Stoddard & Marlow, are two in each, and in Alstead, three, in one town; and there are but three towns in the list which exceeds Acworth in Post-Office Business. We have, in this place, the only Grist-Mill, the only Woolen-Factory, the only Starch-Factory in town, also, a Saw & Shingle Mill, and a Store in contemplation, while 6 roads diverge from here. Between this place and Lempster are 3 Saw, & 2 Bobbin Mills, nearer to either place than to Acworth Post-Office. Near the Post-Office, are one Store, 3 Churches & one Town-House.

My Father’s Postage Bill is necessarily rather large, and he has no desire to reduce it Provided, he may find the Post-Office without a journey of 4½ miles, twice a week to receive mail matter, and twice more to send it.

We think that a Post-Office in this place will be pro bono publico, and that it will do a satisfactory part in sustaining the Post-Office Department. The Post-Office at Acworth could be reached by a route of 2¼ miles from here, as Alstead is from New-Alstead.

I have ventured to indite this, with a wish to obtain your opinion, as to the practicability of a route through this place, and the possibility of our obtaining a Post-Office; also, to obtain such advise as to future steps to be taken by us, as your judgment may suggest.

We do not imagine that a Post-Office would be established here unless a mail route should also be established; but are desirous of making any laudable exertions which shall tend to a “consummation most devoutly wished”.

If your duties, time, and inclination will admit, I will be exceedingly happy to, and obliged by receiving any line which you may choose to address me.