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BENJAMIN TAPPAN TO WORTHINGTON

Steubenville, Ohio, Nov. 22d 1811

Sir

A considerable number of petitions will be forwarded in a few days to yourself from this state & to Mr. Laycock from Pennsylvania the object of which will be to procure the establishment of a post road from Pittsburg direct thro' this place to Cambridge, my neighbours knowing that I have the honor to be personall acquainted with you have so directed me to address a letter to you on the subject, applica- tions have been repeatedly made to Congress for the same end, & the petitions have (I am told) been usually if not always, sent to Mr Morrow, it is generally supposed in this quarter that he hath never aided the petitioners -- as I am not acquainted with that gentleman, I shall not form an opinion on mere report concerning his agen- cy in the business -- that the prayer of the petition is reasonable does not admit of controversy this county the most populous in the state, has a post road on its extreme eastern border only, with but two post offices -- the Connecticut Reserve with less population has about 20 post offices & post roads in every direction that the Post Master Genl owns land in the reserve tho' it may account in some measure for this difference, ought not & cannot to an honest representative of Ohio be a sufficient reason, certainly we cannot complain that they are accomodated, the law establishes post roads & surely we may expect our representation to watch over our interests & if it is the fashion of the times to suffer the head of the depart- ment to dictate where he is interested they should jud e whom he is not

it is not my intention to trespass on much of your time -- I feel a raions[?] that you should give us your aid & I am persuaded that you will do it if you will examine the circumstances of the case -- we receive the Presidents message in the Sciota Gazette & National Intelligencer by the same mail, from Charlestown -- such an arrangement of the mail tho it may be convenient for others, is ridiculous & unjust as to us -- in this County you have many friends, the last election of Gov. might induce you to doubt the truth of it, but that election is no evidence of good will to the successful or ill will to the unsuccessfull candidate in this county motions of policy swayed the majority-- but on this subject I may be more explicit hereafter if occasion should require it -I mention these things now that you need not be surprised at our making application to you to aid us & at our relying on your particular assistance & friendship I am Sir truly with much esteem your friend

Benj Tappan

Genl. Worthington