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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1788.
Congress Assembled, present, New Hampshire Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina and from Connecticut Mr [Jeremiah] Wadsworth and from North Carolina Mr [James] White.
[Motion for a post from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, p. 331, in the writing of Mr. William Irvine. According to indorsement and the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 184, this motion was referred to the Postmaster General to report. Report rendered March 3, 1788.]
Resolved That the Postmaster General be and he is hereby directed to employ Posts for the regular transportation of the Mail between the City of Philadelphia and the Town of Pittsburgh in the State of Pennsylvania; By the Route of Lancaster, Yorktown, Carlisle, Chamberstown and Bedford. And that the Mail be dispatched Once in each week from the Post Offices at Philadelphia and Chamberstown respectively, and once in each fortnight from Chamberstown and Pittsburgh respectively.
Resolved that the Postmaster General be and he is hereby Authorised to contract for this route upon the principles of the Act2 of Congress of the 15th of February 1787 for a term not exceeding seven years with any person or persons who will give satisfactory security for the performance of his or their contract; And if such contract cannot be formed by the first day of April next, that the Postmaster General make the establishment at the expense of the General Post Office.
[Note 2: 2 See Journals, vol. XXXII, pp. 59--60.]
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[Letter of Postmaster General on mail contract1]
[Note 1: 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 61, pp. 319--320, read February 27, 1788. Acted on May 20, 1788.]
General Post Office
Febry . 27th . 1788.
Sir: Pursuant to the Acts2 of Congress of Septr . 4th . 1786, and Febry . 15th . 1787 I entered into Contract with John Huff, of Winchester in Virginia, for the Establishment of a Cross-Post-Road between Alexandria in Virginia and Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, by the Route of Leesburg, Winchester, Fort Cumberland, and Bedford; and also between Winchester and Stanton in Virginia. Among other Things, it was stipulated in the Contract, that Mr . Huff should give Bond with sufficient Security for Performance; and that the Contract should not be binding upon the Postmaster General, nor should Mr Huff enjoy the Emoluments arising from it, until such Bond was given. As Mr . Huff was a Stranger, he could not find Securities here; but promised to compleat the Business soon in Virginia, where he was known. Lest I should be imposed upon as to the Sufficiency of the Sureties, I referred the Matter to the Post master at Alexandria; who informs me that he has not seen Mr . Huff since last May, and that he has never given Bond. Mr . Huff himself has intimated to me that the Establishment cannot be made upon the Terms of the Contract; from which it appears hardly probable that a Communication with Pittsburgh, which may be depended upon, can be formed and supported upon that Route; at the same Time the Establishment of Government in the Territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio seems to render a regular and sure mode of Communication between the Seat of Federal Government, and that Country (at least as far as Pittsburgh) indispensably necessary. This might be had from Philadelphia were it not for the Interference of Mr . Huff's Contract, which includes the Route between Bedford and Pittsburgh. This Contract was to continue for seven Years; but as more than a Year of the Time has already elapsed, and Mr . Huff has neither given Bond, nor performed the other Duties required, and stipulated on his Part, I beg Leave to submit to your Excellency's Consideration whether it ought to be deemed obligatory upon the Postmaster
[Note 2: 2 See Journals, vol. XXXI, p. 629 and vol. XXXII, pp. 59--60.]
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General, so as to preclude other Arrangements upon the same Route (or a Part of it) which the public Service may call for.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
Eben Hazard1
[Note 1: 1 February 27, 1788. According to the Committee Book, Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 190, p. 184, the following were referred:
The letter of recall of Chevalier de la Luzerne and the letter of credence of Count de Moustier to the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to report. A report on this subject was rendered on February 13 and another on June 2, 1788. See February 26, 1788.
A petition of the inhabitants eastward of Portland, Massachusetts, for the establishment of a post route. Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VI, pp. 391--394, read February 27. Referred to the Postmaster General to report. Reported rendered March 5, 1788.]
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