ALS, one page both sides, 8 x 9.25, January 24, 1794. Addressed from the “General Port Office,” an interesting handwritten letter from Timothy Pickering sent to Col. John Neilson of New Jersey regarding the appointing of newspaper printers as postmasters, in part: “I have been favoured with your letter of the 20th and am greatly obliged by your attention to my request. But there are serious objections to the appointment of news-paper printers to post-offices. It is true a number of printers are postmasters: but much inconvenience has resulted. Frequent complaints have been made against some of them, that they intercept the news-papers destined for other printers, in order to give their own papers a preference. It subjects them to jealous suspicions, at any rate, which produces ill effects. Further, while news-papers are subject to postage, they are without a check in the conveyance of such of their papers as are not directed to other offices. There will probably soon be an additional objection. I think the privilege of franking will be restored to postmasters. With that a printer will have it in his power, and of course be under temptation to make a very free use of it, even in the conveyance of his news-papers. For these reasons I must decline a new appointment of a news-paper printer; especially as I contemplate a substitution of other persons to the printers in general who are now postmasters, as fast as I can make it convenient. Printers are as respectable as other citizens: it is the nature of their business which renders it inexpedient to employ them in the department of the post office.” In very good to fine condition, with edge wear, and some light staining.
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