" The great increase of the number, and the ex tent of the post-roads in the United States," said Dr. Seybert, writing in 1817, " demonstrate the rapid improvement of our country. Besides the convenience which this establishment offers to in dividuals, much of the commercial prosperity of nations is owing to the dispatch and safety of a well regulated post-office establishment. In this respect, our progress has been equal to that of any of the nations of Europe: convenient roads now intersect every portion of the United States. Though we do not possess many routes that are equal to the most improved in England and France, our roads are more safe, more expeditious, and better regulated than those of any other nation in Europe. Even so late as 1750, the roads in Great Britain and France were in a wretched condition: they have done much within a few years to promote the intercourse in those states. In 1763, seventeen days were occu pied in going from London to Edinburgh, in the stage-coach, the distance about four hundred miles. In 1816 you might go from the city of New York to Buffalo on lake Erie, four hundred and seventy five miles, in one hundred hours from the time of departure, and be comfortably lodged every night: the time actually occupied in travelling was eighty hours. Our mail is now transported with uncom
mon rapidity through countries which continue to be inhabited by savages: our vehicles pass with more speed to towns, the sites of which twenty-five years ago were the theatres of savage barbarity, than do the public carriages in some of the most civilized and oldest countries in Europe. You may go from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, in the stage, three hundred and ten miles, in five days and a half, and be lodged every night on the route.
" In 1812, in France, by the stage-coach, six days were required to go from Paris to Geneva, three hundred and ninety miles: six days from Paris to Strasburgh, three hundred and sixty-six miles." The mail now goes from Philadelphia to Pitts burgh in less than three days, traversing in this passage all the mountain chains of Pennsyl vania.