Express companies undertake the conveyance of parcels, boxes, trunks, &c. The first one, started by Harnden in 1839, became the Adams Express Co. The great express company of the West is the Wells-Fargo Co., which at an early day carried much gold and gold dust.

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1846.  It was true that a private letter was sent; but not by express.—Mr. Ashmun of Mass., House of Repr., April 27: Cong. Globe, p. 731.

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1848.  The present arrangement was diverting [public money] into the pockets of private expresses.—Mr. Goggin of Virginia, the same, June 23: id., p. 870.

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1850.  Buy me a little dagger, a coral dog, a hand with a ring, and a cornelian heart, and anything else that’s sweet, and send them up by express.—D. G. Mitchell, ‘The Lorgnette,’ ii. 126 (1852).

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1851.  The religious papers which have the greatest circulation are papers of a small size, and are transmitted mostly by express.—Mr. Duncan of Mass., House of Repr., Jan. 15: Cong. Globe, p. 245.

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1854.  There are two large express companies, Adams & Co. and Wells, Fargo & Co., which carry mail matter by Nicaragua, charging from twenty-five to fifty cents on a letter.—Mr. Latham of Cal., the same, April 7: id., p. 872.

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1862.  

        Not thet I ’m one thet much expec’
  Millennium by express to-morrer.
Lowell, ‘Biglow Papers,’ 2nd S., No. 7.    

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