Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Ebenezer Hazard

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04444 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Letter signed Date: 8 June 1789 Pagination: 1 p. ; 32.4 x 20.3 cm. Order a Copy

Washington requests a report on the general state of the United States Post Office from Hazard, the Postmaster General.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

New York June 8:th 1789.
Sir,
As I have (without doing it officially) requested from the Heads of the several Executive Departments such information, as might be requisite to bring me acquainted with the business and duties of the Departments, I have thought fit to ask, in the same informal manner, for some specific information, in writing, relative to the past and present state of the Post-Office. I must, therefore, request you will advise of the general state of the Establishment -- of the annual expences of conducting the whole business, for every year, since you have been at the Head of it - and of the annual income, for every year, during the same period - by which the exact deficiency, or profits of the Post-Office, yearly, will be seen at a single glance. - I presume the department has been managed in so methodical a manner, that there can be but little trouble or delay in making the necessary Report and Abstracts.

I am,
with due consideration,
Sir,
Your most Obedt. Servt. -
Ebenezer Hazard Esqr. Go:Washington
Post Master General.

Hazard, Ebenezer, 1744-1817
Washington, George, 1732-1799

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