American stage coaches began in 1786. As early as 1697 an innkeeper, named John Clapp, at the Bowery, New York, kept a hackney coach for the accommodation of the public; and in 1699 a law was made forbidding fast driving of “slees” through the streets of New York. The first private coach owned there appears to have been in 1745 by a Lady Murray. In 1786 there were but three Coachmakers’ factories in New York: Mr Steel, in Pine Street, Mr Jones, and James and Charles Warner, in Broadway.
In 1789 six more factories had been opened in the coach trade, and five livery yards had begun to keep hackney coaches. In 1790 a coach was built in Philadelphia for eight hundred dollars, and there were eight Coachbuilders in that city. But the usual vehicle was a sort of wheel chair upon wooden springs, and from recent accounts it seems that gigs, hung upon long wooden springs, are still in use in the United States and Canada.
The _Historical Magazine_ states that in 1805 the English chariot was copied in America, but that it was found cheaper to order these carriages from Europe, on account of the high price of material, and the excessive cost of wages. In 1810 there were twenty-eight factories occupied by Coachmakers in New York. In 1822 a New York Coachmaker, named Miln Parker, had begun to make a name by building “volantes” for the Cuban and Mexican markets. These volantes are gigs, with hoods, perched upon two very high wheels, much used by the ladies of Spanish America.
I should have mentioned that the cabs of Vienna are of a superior description, consisting of victorias, broughams, and landaus, as well built and finished as those used by private persons. Many of these cabs are drawn by two horses, and are driven at a rapid rate. It would be a great benefit to London if we could procure such conveyances at a shilling, or even more, per mile.
Writers on Carriages--Periodical Publications on Coaches--Tight Harnessing--Height of the Driver’s Seat--Cover to the Driver’s Seat--American Buggy--American Trotting Waggons--Labour-Saving Machines--Machines Save Time--American Magazines on Carriages--Principles of Draught--Disadvantages of Two-Wheeled Vehicles--Track of Wheels--Utility of High Wheels--Side Thrust and Vibration of Wheels--Pitch of Axles and Dish of Wheels--Springs--Elliptic Springs--Brake Retarders--India Rubber Brake Blocks--A Load Should Rest on the Highest Wheel--Danger to a Stage Coach in Low Front Wheels--Carriage Drawings of Full Size--Value of being a Good Draughtsman--Mr Gladstone on Design--Coachmakers Company’s Library.