The New Hampshire Gazette

ON POST ROADS.

COMMUNICATION

THE post road from Portsmouth to Merrimack bridge has lately been accurately surveyed at the expence of a few gentlemen in Portsmouth, by which means the exact distance is found to be twenty-two miles and ninety-one rods; and upon a straight line but eighteen miles. The road from Newburyport to Malden bridge has also been surveyed, and the distance upon a straight line found to be but twenty-seven miles. And is is well ascertained that there may be a good road from Portsmouth to Boston, and the distance but about forty eight or forty nine miles.--Whereas the road now travelled is as much as sixty-seven -consequently there will be a full saving of eighteen miles :-more than a quarter of the distance as now travelled !

This at first view may seem almost incredible, but the surveys in both instances have been made by very accurate surveyors, and the fact is well demonstrated. There requires nothing but a little exertion, to have an excellent turnpike road from Portsmouth to Boston; and the distance at most, under 50 miles.

It is also said, that the post road from Portsmouth to Portland may be considerably shortened, and the distance reduced to 50 miles. We do not assert this to be fact ; but it seems by no means improbable. May we not therefore expect, that in the course of a few years, the mail will be transported from Boston to Portland, in the same length of time, that it now is, from Boston to Portsmouth ? It is true, this will not easily be performed by those who are attentive to try how long they can make an old horse run in the stage--but the thing itself is quite feasible. The mail stage leaves this town before 3 o'clock in the morning, and arrives at Boston between six and seven the next evening; making about Sixteen hours upon the road. And the whole of the time of resting will not amount to two hours; so that the rate of travelling is under five miles an hour.- Mail Stage travelling-it should be called the flying mail !!l

At the rate of eight miles an hour-- twelve hours and an half, would reach Portland from Boston-provided the distance should be reduced to one hundred miles.

Allowing one hour for crossing Portsmouth ferry, there would be two hours and an half for resting upon the road. And if the ways are good, eight miles an hour is easy travelling, for horses that are suitable for running in the stage, if they are not drove too far without changing : especially if the mail carriers are restricted to six passengers, as they certainly ought to be.

Should a regulation of this kind be brought about (and there is no impossibility in the thing, even if the Portland road cannot be so much shortened) we shall see the time, when a merchant in Boston may write to his correspondent in Portsmouth one evening, and receive an answer to his letter the next. We hope that our friends to the eastward will take the hint, and make the necessary examination and surveys. No people are more interested in the business than they are-the great increase of population, commerce and wealth, in that country, requires that the experiment should be made, and there can be no doubt but success will crown the attempt. It is most devoutly to be wished, that no mean elfish views, will mar so laudable an undertaking. -That it will not go by uncle Josiah's barn; or co past cousin Joseph's pigsty ; or may possibly spoil sister Tabathy's potatoe yard -or that the Col. or Capt. (whose children loves mightily to see the fine folks ride along in their chaises and phaetons may object, because the road does not go by their houses." These are generally the cogent reasons, to prevent laying out new roads, to benefit the public. And we hope that those who have already become rich by commerce, will not withhold their money, but will vest it in a fund, not only certain and productive but whose beneficial influence will be felt by all classes of citizens-the man of pleasure not excepted.

To our political fathers a word may with propriety be addressed.

The prejudice against turnpike roads seems to be pretty well worn off. It is now a conceded fact : that those who use the road are the persons who ought to make it and keep it in repair and it is expected that liberal grants will be made ; for without such, the work will never be effected. How pleasing the reflexion--that while commerce with expanded wings brings us her blessings from all quarters of the globe; the attention and industry of man, is rendering the communication thro our country more cheap, expeditious and delightful, and so greatly increasing the value of those blessings ! Consider this well ye sordid of every description !-and you will neither prevent nor discourage the making turnpike roads and bridges--but if you are rich you will abundantly contribute your riches for promoting such beneficial undertakings.