Westcott Express Co. signed by R. Westcott - Stock Certificate

THE MANHATTAN EXPRESS COMPANY (Westcott, Dodd & Co., proprietors), had its main office at No. 168 Broadway, but was in fact almost ubiquitous on this great little island of Manhattan, as well as in the neighboring cities, which its numerous handsome green wagons, lettered in gold and drawn by some of the best horses in the world, were constantly traversing, for the delivery and collection of baggage and other packages.

This company, so extensive and invaluable in its metropolitan operations, had its origin in the smallest possible beginning. It was commenced in 1851 by Robert F. Westcott, with a single horse and wagon. In 1855, A. S. Dodd, at that time connected with the National Express Company, and principal manager of the New Jersey Express Company, became associated with him in his city express business, at which time Westcott had largely increased his operations. He fore saw that a grand business might be made, with the aid of judicious headwork and more capital, and was fortunate in securing both. It was known for a time as the Westcott Express, but on account of a consolidation and new organization, it assumed in 1858, the style of “The Manhattan Express Company.” Subsequently the consolidation was broken up, and Westcott and Dodd each organized an Express on his separate account, “ The Westcott Express Co.” and “The New York Transfer Co.”

Both of these Expresses perform, in addition to their ordinary Express routine, a very large business in the transportation of baggage for passengers upon the railroads above-named, carrying not far from 600,000 trunks during the year. In this city, it delivers at any place desired below Central Park. We regard it as altogether the most extensive enterprise of the kind ever attempted in America; and for system and efficiency, it is not excelled even by the best parcel delivery company in London.