That there is at present, and has been for some time back, an express carried on horseback between this city and New York, is a fact which is well known, and which is publicly acknowledged by the newspapers in New York. That it is impossible to carry the whole of the great Eastern mail through in coaches or otherwise with the same speed as a small package can be carried through on horseback is a fact that requires no comment.
Not having pointed out this matter clearly in your letter whether it was the wish of the department that a certain portion of mails should be sent by express to New York at an earlier hour than it now does.
Should it be the latter, I would at once assure the department of the impossibility of having it carried through in as short a time as it is now carried by express on horseback.
In either case the department may rest assured of my willingness and determination to use every exertion in order to meet the views and wishes of the department. Should you desire it to be sent by express, I have no hesitation in saying that I can have it sent through in a shorter time than it can be done by any other individual in the country. This will be handed to you by Mr. Ewing, whom I have sent on with directions to ascertain from you personally your views of this matter, and who will give you all the information respecting the express that has been sent from this place to New York alluded to in your letter.
With respect, your obedient servant,JAMES REESIDE.
N. B. I will say to a certainty I will go from this city to New York in six hours, or faster than any other one can do it.
JAMES REESIDE.
To Hon. O. B. Brown,
Superintendent of Mail Contracts,
Washington, D. C.