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Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
In a 1791 letter to the Gazette of the United States, a Traveller from Elkton highlights the shortage and high fares of coaches in the city, compares to regulated London hackney-coaches, and calculates that investing in 10 coaches could yield over $10,000 profit annually, urging enterprising citizens to act for public benefit.
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To the EDITOR of the GAZETTE of the UNITED STATES.
SIR,
SINCE the establishment of coaches in this city, much has been said of the want of a sufficient number of coaches, and of the exorbitant 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 complete. 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 enterprising 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.
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Letter to Editor Details
Author
A Traveller.
Recipient
The Editor Of The Gazette Of The United States.
Main Argument
the city needs more coaches due to shortages and high fares; investing in hackney-coaches, as calculated, would be highly profitable (over $10,000 annually for 10 coaches) and benefit the public, similar to regulated practices in london.
Notable Details