American jurist and politician (1785-1861) who served in Congress, as postmaster general, and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. LS as postmaster general, one page, 8 x 9.5, January 26, 1828. Letter to George King, in full: "I am perfectly aware that the amount of compensation to post masters does not in all cases, bear an equal proportion to their labors. Many offices, like yours, might fairly claim additional allowances, if the law authorized it; and very many similar applications are made. Should Congress grant this request, the number is so considerable, that it would diminish the resources of the department so materially as to paralyze its efforts. The privileges of franking, exemption from military and jury services, and the convenience of receiving the earliest intelligence of passing events, have operated as inducements with persons of highly respectable character to accept of the appointment, when the compensation of itself would be deemed inadequate; so that no difficulty has arisen in obtaining responsible and efficient post masters in offices the least profitable. Under these circumstances Congress have declined authorizing an increase. The multiplication of distributing offices beyond what is necessary to ensure regularity in the transmission of letters, has always tended to confusion rather than benefit; and it does not appear necessary to increase the number in Connecticut, or to establish one at that point." In very good to fine and fragile condition, with faint staining, and some paper loss along the intersecting folds.
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