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Letter to Editor
January 12, 1791
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A traveler from Elkton, dated January 7, 1791, critiques high coach fares in the U.S. city, compares to regulated London hackney-coaches, and proposes a profitable business model for starting 10-30 coaches, estimating annual net profit of $10,830 after expenses.
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OCR Quality
90%
Excellent
Full Text
Elkton, the 7th day of the first month, 1791.
To the EDITOR of the GAZETTE of the UNITED STATES.
SIR,
SINCE coaches, and of the exhorbitant price demanded for their fare.
In London, the hackney-coaches (to prevent their being too numerous) are limited to 1000, and this number is always compleat. The fare is also limited, to prevent imposition; four persons taking a coach for one hour, or one mile, pay one shilling, or threepence sterling each, and no more, though the proprietors pay a severe tax to government for their licenses.
Perhaps a statement similar to the following, may induce some enterprizing citizen to make his own fortune, and benefit the public.
A good hackney-coach may cost 150 Dollars.
A pair of horses, 150
Keeping per year, 150
Coachman, 200
Wear of Horses harness, &c. 50
700 Dollars.
The Coaches in this city earn at present from 5 to 10 dollars per day: Take the smallest sum—5 dollars per day, is 1825 pr. annum. 10 Coaches would bring in, at 1825 each, 18250 drs. per year. Deduct for stock, interest, and whole ann. ex. 7420
Thus may be gained in one year, 10830 drs. by any individual who may have the spirit, with the property or credit, to procure 7 or 8000 dollars on interest, for one year.
N. B. From 15 to 30 Coaches, it is supposed, would find immediate employ.
A TRAVELLER.
To the EDITOR of the GAZETTE of the UNITED STATES.
SIR,
SINCE coaches, and of the exhorbitant price demanded for their fare.
In London, the hackney-coaches (to prevent their being too numerous) are limited to 1000, and this number is always compleat. The fare is also limited, to prevent imposition; four persons taking a coach for one hour, or one mile, pay one shilling, or threepence sterling each, and no more, though the proprietors pay a severe tax to government for their licenses.
Perhaps a statement similar to the following, may induce some enterprizing citizen to make his own fortune, and benefit the public.
A good hackney-coach may cost 150 Dollars.
A pair of horses, 150
Keeping per year, 150
Coachman, 200
Wear of Horses harness, &c. 50
700 Dollars.
The Coaches in this city earn at present from 5 to 10 dollars per day: Take the smallest sum—5 dollars per day, is 1825 pr. annum. 10 Coaches would bring in, at 1825 each, 18250 drs. per year. Deduct for stock, interest, and whole ann. ex. 7420
Thus may be gained in one year, 10830 drs. by any individual who may have the spirit, with the property or credit, to procure 7 or 8000 dollars on interest, for one year.
N. B. From 15 to 30 Coaches, it is supposed, would find immediate employ.
A TRAVELLER.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Persuasive
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
What keywords are associated?
Hackney Coaches
Coach Fares
Business Opportunity
London Comparison
Profit Calculation
Exorbitant Prices
What entities or persons were involved?
A Traveller.
The Editor Of The Gazette Of The United States.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
A Traveller.
Recipient
The Editor Of The Gazette Of The United States.
Main Argument
high coach fares in the city are exorbitant; a regulated hackney-coach business like london's could be highly profitable, netting over $10,000 annually for 10 coaches after expenses.
Notable Details
Comparison To London's 1000 Limited Hackney Coaches With Fixed Low Fares
Detailed Cost Breakdown Totaling $700 Initial And Annual Expenses
Profit Calculation: $18,250 Revenue Minus $7,420 Expenses = $10,830 Net For 10 Coaches