Brunswick 3rd January 1766.
I am sorry to have been prevented from giving you that satisfaction in the particulars you requested relative to the Post occasioned by the bad state of health I have laboured under for these last five months past. I have however obtained a route thro' this province, best calculated in the opinion of the principal gentlemen here, for the ease and conveniency of the General Post, as well as for the commercial interest of this Province. There is no general plan of this province but by the inclosed route you may be informed, the broad ferries of Neuse river, Pamlico and Albemarle sounds are avoided and the route the shortest where there are any accommodations for the riders. I should think it unnecessary for you to extend your
department further than Suffolk, as the northern Post already reaches that town; for was you to carry it on to Williamsburgh you would have a ferry of three miles over James River to cross, besides forty four miles further by land. If you have any thoughts of taking a view of the route I recommend for the Post and to consult with Mr Foxcroft, I should be glad to see you at Brunswick when I hope to furnish you with further particulars, in the meantime I shall refer you to Mr Peter Randolph, Surveyor General of his Majesty's Customs, who is well acquainted with this province and is willing to give you information of the present state of the back country in this colony.
Route from Suffolk in Virginia to the Boundary House of North and South Carolina on the Sea Coast
Miles. |
|
From Suffolk to Cottons Ferry, on Chowan River |
40 |
Appletree Ferry on the Roanoke |
30 |
Salters on Tar or Pamlico river |
35 |
Kemps Ferry on Neuse do |
28 |
Newbern |
10 |
Trentbridge |
13 |
Mrs Warburton's |
13 |
Snead's on New River Ferry |
26 |
Sage's |
13 |
Collins |
14 |
Wilmington |
15 |
Brunswick |
15 |
The Ferry |
2 |
To Bells |
20 |
The Boundary House |
23 |
Total miles |
297. |