Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 2.djvu/473

 466 PEDBBAL EEPOBT];a. �value between the cities of Boston and New York over the line of the Boston & Worcester Eailroad, and the Une of Bteamers Connecting therewith, and plying between New York and Norwich. This enterprise proved remunerative. His Buccess induced others to establish and maintain similar express lines between New York and Philadelphia, and Phila- delphia and Baltimore, and other important commercial points. These ail succeeded well, and grew into general favor, and continued in actual operation until July, 1854. Ai this time, by the mutual consent of the parties interested, these several express companies were Consolidated and merged into the Adams Express Company, a voluntary association or partnership, which was formed and organized under the authority of the laws of New York. This company, upon its organization, entered actively upon business, and prosecuted the same with unusual energy and success; it extended its operations over many of the most prominent railroads and water lines, and earned, as it justly merited, the confidence of its patrons and the general public. At the commence- ment of the rebellion it was doing an extensive and profitable business within the southern states, but the exigencies of war forced a suspension of its business within the insurrec- tionary territory, of which exigencies the complainant, the Southern Express Company, was born. �The complainant is a corporation organized under and pursuant to a charter granted by the state of Georgia, and by purchase succeeded to the property, business and good- will of the Adams Express Company, within the southern states ; but the two companies,'notwithstanding their separate existence, sustained close business relations, and agreed to the interchange of freights on terms beneficiai to themselves and to their customers. By this friendly co-operation and judicious interchange of business tbey so far preserved their unity as to secure to their patrons ail the conveniences fchat could have been afforded by one company doing the business within the territory ocoupied by them both. Among other business of the Adams Express Company, to which complain- ant succeeded, was the business which the former company ����