Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-10-11
AMERICAN EXPRESSES.

The American Express system originated with
VIM. F. Harden, in 1889, at the suggestion of
Mr.. Pullen, (now in the National Express Co.,)
and some other gentlemen of Boston. Mr.. H.
was in the employment of one of the Boston and
New York Rail and Steamboat Companies, as
ticket agent. His health having failed, he was
obliged to abandon the agency, and seek some
new employment to sustain himself, his pecuni-
AIRY means being small. Harden died in lS45.
The Express known as Harden 's-between Bos-
ton and Philadelphia, via New York-out of
compliment to its founder, took its name from
him.
The next Express which came into existence
were what are now merged into either the " Ad-
ans Express Co.," American Express Co.. {"
or the " National Express Co." The messen-
gers either of one or the other of these, together
with those since established wells, Fargo &
Co., and the United States Express Co.. move
through almost every habitable part of North
America, by land as well as water communica-
ton, on lake ocean, and the steam-car forming
many of the links of commerce which connect
us with the Old World. These expresses per-
form any and all kind of service for the public.
They carry the exchanges of the banks, collect
notes, bills, drafts, accounts, &C.. and carry all
the small and large packages which are toe
valuable on otherwise unsafe to cntrust to the
mails Or other means of conveyance. At one
time the commercial interests of our whole land
were agitated and suffering seriously for the want
of medium through which our money exchan.
ges could be effec ted without ruinous discount
to those who lived far in the interior.
This want, about which politicians quarreled
and our lawmakers in vain endeavored to legis
late, was at once most perfectly supplied
through the Express system of communication
as by this means the cost of exchange was ina
mediately reduced to the exact expense of trans
!, porting from any given point to another. Th'
Expresses try to do everything possible fol
| everybody. Every parcel is ticketed, booked
and billed with more pains and regularity thar
in the Post Office Department. Reduction o
| postage has been greatly facilitated by the Ex
press companies. Formerly the General Govern
ment insisted on the charge Except for yer,
short distances) of IL IL, Is "a and rs cent
postage for carrying letters. The Expresses
though threatened by Uncle Sam, undertook th
same service for and 10 cents. The Govern
ment not only scolded but prosecuted, and final
ly, the United States Courts sustaining the Ex
Y presses, the work Of reduction commenced. Tn
y Expresses, in word, are ubiquitous, and it hs
Is been wonder that their never-tiring faithful
i. ness performs the varied and enormous amour
n of business entrusted to them as well as the
do. The Express business has not only becou
Of spread like network over the States Of this u
y ion, but its operations extend to the most di
Is tant cline, enabling the inhabitants Of eve
ty part of the globe to enjoy the advantages of Sc
IN aration without the difficulties of distance. 7
a carriers have travelled, and still travel fro
Is State to State and nation 10 nation at the hig
it est speed of time, and as public enjoys Of COZ
at merce, frequently outstrip the mails and pub
ire dispatches of government. One of these co
Ia panies has 800 Offices, is now travelling 80
I'd. miles daily, paying single railroad comp