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COMMENTARIES ON THE CONSTITUTION
public convenience & gratification. -If the priviledge was not from conven-
tion an original right, it had from prescription strong pretensions for con-
tinuance; especially at so interesting a period.-The interruption in that
mode of conveyance, has not only given great concern to the friends of the
Constitution, who wished the public to be possessed of every thing that
might be printed on both sides of the question: but it has afforded its
enemies very plausible pretexts for dealing out their scandals, & exciting
jealousies by inducing a belief that the suppression of intelligence at that
critical juncture, was a wicked trick of policy, contrived by an Aristocratic
Junto.-Now, if the Postmaster General (with whose character I am unac-
quainted & therefore would not be understood to form an unfavorable
opinion of his motives) has any candid advisers who conceive that he mer-
its the public employment they ought to counsel him to wipe away the
aspersion he has incautiously brought upon a good cause-if he is unworthy
of the Office he holds, it would be well that the ground of a complaint,
apparently so general, should be enquired into, and, if founded, redressed
through the medium of a better appointment.-It is a matter, in my judg-
ment, of primary importance that the public mind should be relieved from
inquietude on this subject.-I know it is said that the irregularity or defect
has happened accidentally, in consequence of the contract for transporting
the Mail on horseback, instead of having it carried in the Stages-but I must
confess, I could never account, upon any satisfactory principles, for the
inveterate enmity with which the Post Master General is asserted to be
actuated against that valuable institution.-It has often been understood by
wise politicians and enlightened patriots that giving a facility to the means
of travelling for Strangers and of intercourse for Citizens, was an object of
Legislative concern & a circumstance highly beneficial to any Country. -In
England, I am told, they consider the Mail Coaches as a great modern
improvement in their Post-Office regulations.-I trust we are not too old,
or too proud to profit by the experience of others.-In this article the Ma-
terials are amply within our reach.-I am taught to imagine that the horses,
the vehicles, and the accomodations in America (with very little encour-
agement) might in a short period become as good as the same articles are
to be found in any Country of Europe-and, at the same time, I am sorry
to learn that the line of Stages is at present interrupted in some parts of
New England and totally discontinued at the Southward.-
I mention these suggestions only as my particular thoughts on an Estab-
lishment, which I had conceived to be of great importance-Your proxim-
ity to the person in question & connection with the characters in power,
will enable you to decide better than I can on the validity of the allega-
tions; and in that case, to weigh the expediency of dropping such hints as
may serve to give satisfaction to the Public. .
1. RC, John Jay-Iselin Collection, NNC. Printed: Henry P. Johnston, ed., The Cor-
respondence and Public Papers of John Jay... (New York and London, 1890-1893), III,
349-51.
2. For Hazard's defense, see the New YorkJournal, 21 March (above).
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