TWO DAYS AT SYRACUSE, 151 



to merit the distinction of a Post Office, and with 

 this new acquisition a discussion arose about its 

 name. It had been called successively *' Webster's 

 Landing/' " South Salina/' " Bogardus Corners/' 

 "Cossit's Corners" and "Milan;" but, as there was 

 another " Milan " in the State, its last title had to be 

 abandoned. For awhile it was known as " Corinth," 

 but finally by an odd coincidence it was named by its 

 first Postmaster, John Wilkinson, after the old Sicil- 

 ian capital, to which it was supposed to bear a slight 

 resemblance. Mr. Wilkinson, it is said, in reading a 

 poetical description of the ancient city, was singularly 

 impressed by its name, and by the fact that there was 

 a fountain of mythological origin just beyond its 

 walls, from which sprang clear and salt water. 



At a meeting held to decide the matter, he among 

 others eloquently discussed his choice, and it was 

 unanimously accepted. At this time, the government 

 official at Syracuse had charge of such vast communi- 

 cations from " Uncle Sam," that when the Post Office 

 was transferred later to the office of John Diirford, 

 printer, Mr. Wilkinson carried the entire concern, 

 " mail matter, letter bags and boxes on his shoulders ! " 

 Still, when the Marquis de La Fayette visited Syracuse, 

 five years later, it had made such rapid advancement 

 that it called forth his warmest congratulatiotiS. On 

 this occasion, truly a great one among the city's records, 

 her founder and benefactor, Joshua Forman, was chosen 

 to express the gratitude of her people. It must have 

 been a pleasant moment for the brave General and a 

 proud one for the Syracusans when, in response to their 

 hospitality, he returned Mr. Forman's courtesy in the 

 following words : " The names of Onondaga and Syra- 



