Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-07-09
From Watson's Annals. THE POST.
omes, the herald of noisy world; Il L.. IL. IL L


 THE POST.
 nHe comes the herald of a noisy world;
 News from all nations, lumb ring at his back"
 There is nothing in which the days ot "Auld Lang Syne" more differs from the pre- sent than in the astonishing facilities now af- forded for rapid conyeyances from place to place, and, of course, in the quick delivery oi communications by the mail. Before the year 1755, five or six weeks were consumed in writing to. and receiving an answer from Boston. All the letters were conveyed on horseback, at a snail-pace gate-slow but sure. The first stage between Boston and New-York commenced on 24th of June, 1772, to run once fortnight, as, ca useful, new, and expensive undertakings" to start on the 18th, and to arrive either to or from either of those places on the 25th, ,"-thus making IS days of travel! Now, it travels the same distance in 36 hours! The first stage between New-York and Philadelphia began in 1756, occupied three days, and now accomplishes it in ten hours!
 Nor are those former prolonged move ments peculiar to us. It was even so with our British ancestors, not very long before us! We have specimen of their sluggish do- ings in this matter, as late as the year 1712. "The New Castle Courant," of that year, contains a state advertisement, saying that call who desire to pass from Edinboro' to London, or from London to Edinboro', let them repair to MT John Bailles, Slc. every other Saturday and Monday, at both of which places they may be received in a stage-coach, which performs the whole journey in thirteen days, without stoppage, Cf God permit) hav- ing eighty able horses to perform whole stage" Now the whole distance is perform ed in 46 hours! On the whole, it is manifest the whole civilized world have learned to move every where with accelerated motion The facts, as they were in the olden time, are to the following effect, to witt
 In 1oo3, mo. July, Wm. fenu issued anur- der for the establishment of post office, and granted to Henry Waldy, of Tekonay, au- thority to hold one, and "to supply passen- gers with horses from Philadelphia to New Castle, or to the Falls" The rates of pos tage were, to wi,:-"Letters from the Falls to Philadelphia, sd.-to Chester, 5d.-to New Castle, 7d.-to Maryland, 9d.-and from Philadelphia to Chester, 2d.-to New Castle 4d.-and to Maryland, 3d." This post went once week, and it was to be carefully pub iished on the meeting house door, and other public places." These facts I found in the MSS. of the Pemberton family. A regular act for post-of6ce at Philadelphia, was first enacted in the year t7o0.
 Col. John Hamilton, of New Jersey, and son of governor Andrew Hamilton, first de- vised the post-office scheme for British Amc- rica, for which he obtained patent, and the profits accruing. Afterwards he sold it to the crown, and a member of Parliament was ap- pointed for the whole, with right to have bis substitute reside in NewYork.
 In 1717, mo. December, Jonathan Dickin- son writes to his correspondent. saying, :" We have d settled post from Virginia and Mary ioh all thern colonies, whereby advices from Boston to Williams msburgh, in Virginia, is completed ;a four weeks, from March to December, and in double that time in the other months of the year"
 In 1722, the Gazette says "We have been these three days expecting the New-York Post, as usual, but he has not yet arrived" all though three days over his time
 In 1727, the mail to Annapolis is opened this year to go once fortnight in summer, and once a month in winter, via New Castle, Ssc. to the Western Shore, and back by the Eastern Shore; managed by William Brad ford, in Philadelphia, and by William Parks, in Annapolis.
 in 1729, December, the Gazette announces, that while the New-York Post continues his fortnight stage, we shall publish but once a week, as in former times" In summer it went once week.
 In 1738, Henry Pratt is made riding post master for all the stages between Philadel- phia and Newport, in Virginia; to set out in inc beginning of each month, and to return in 24 days. To him all merchants, S1c. may confide their letters and other business, he having given security to the postmaster gene raj. In this day we can have little conception of his lonely rides through imperfect roads; of his laying out at times all night, and giving his horse range of rope to browse, while he should make his letter-pack his pillow on the ground!
 Tn 1744, it is announced in the Gazette, that the Northern post begins his fortnight stages on Tuesday next, for the winter season."
 In 1745, John Datly, surveyor, states that he had just made survey of the road from Trenton to Amboy, and hath set up marks at every two miles to guide the traveller. It was done by private subscriptions, and he proposes to do the whole road from Phaladel- phia to New-York, in the same way, if a sum can be made up!
 In 1748, when professor Kahn arrived al Philadelphia from London, many of the in habitants came on board his vessel for letters. Such as were not so called for, were taken te the Coffec-house, where every bodsl could sn.Le inauirv for them. thus showing that