Post Office to the Treasury, which have been fully refuted to the board.
It might appear these are like doubting the justice of that Court were I
to suffer myself to be decoyed or provoked into another. Two years have
already been wasted in wrangling, and I am heartily weary of it. Since
my return I have the satisfaction to find the public, if possible, still
more pleased from the experience they have had of the punctuality as
well as the expedition of the post in all possible cases, in every
variety of weather our climate gives. And those who express their
surprise that the plan is not extended yet to other parts of the kingdom
I have taken care to tell the plain truth--that it is entirely Mr.
Todd's fault. I could not express my sense of his exceeding ill conduct
at the commencement of the trial (so very different from his
profession) in a stronger manner than in my memorial to the Treasury;
nor could they do me ampler justice than in the resolutions they passed
on the occasion and sent to the Post Office. It should not therefore be
stated to the public his stopping the Norfolk and Suffolk service by his
assertion of the enormous expenses of the new beyond the old system, and
his strange declaration that the number of letters sent by the Bath and
Bristol post had decreased and in consequence of its improvement are so
ill-supported by the statements sent to the Treasury, and the reverse of
these charges so fully established in my answers that I believe there is
an end of the controversy, and have very little doubt but that I shall
shortly receive the Ministers' commands to carry the plan into execution
to the other parts of the kingdom. To do this (and I have not the least
fear of accomplishing it) will be the most decisive answer to abuse, and
more satisfactory to the publick. I rather think, too, from the number
of memorials sent in favour of my plan, and the general indignation
expressed at the mismanagement of the old post, Mr. Todd will find it
prudent to desist from further opposition. Nothing possible can be in
better train than the plan is or in the hands of persons more anxious
for its success. It would be very imprudent, therefore, to run the least
hazard of disturbing it. I beg you'll not imagine I am the least
displeased at what you have done. On the contrary, I am really much
obliged to you; and be assured I shall never forget the zeal and
attention I have experienced from you in the course of this business