^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) m. K « <^ *:? romise to pay the part chargea- ble to Mr. Mower. No such obligation having been given, or intended to be given on our part, was tho cause of our demurring to the demand here mentioned. 3. When we first commenced business as Printers and Publishers of the Courant, and before we had given the subject much consideration, we were of opinion that the charge made by the Post Office Department fcr transporting of Newspapers by Mail, was injurious to their circulation; but upon more mature reflection aided by the experience of two years and a half in the business as Printers and Publishers of a Public Jour- nal, we are now decidedly of opinion that the Post Office charges for the transportation of Newpapers by Mail, are not injurious to their circulation. Such charges have for a long time been exacted in the United States, and nevertheless the circulation of Newspapers in that country is greater than in any other nation in the world. We consider that the Post OfKcc Department is as fairly entitled to a remuneration for services rendered to ..Proprietors of Newspapers or their Subscribers, for carrying their Papers, as any other carriers or forwarders, and cannot see the justice or utility of compelling the Post Otfice Department to forward Newspapers gratuitously, on which no other source of Revenue is imposed. Such demands, when not exorbitant, appear to us to be a just compensation for services rendered. WtJ circulate a large number of Papers (in districts where Post Offices are not conve- nient or where Subscribers prefer to have their Papers forwarded by other means than by the Post Office,) by private conveyances, and in almost every instance, compensate the persons who forward such Papers for their it 523 ccessor, for the erstition I- Firm, r) coii- iig been was tho iitioned. Printers acl given opinion >aitment injurious e flection ilf in tlie lie Jour- he Post apers by 1. Such [ in the ation of my other )st OfHce ation for apers or as any le justice tment to no other s, when sensation umber of Dt conve- ir Papers iffice,) by instance, apers for their their trouble and attention ; the amount of tliis com- pensation is nearly equal to the Post Office charges, and in some instances greater. 4. Newspapers in the United Kingdom, pay a very onerous stamp duty, and also a tax on advertisements. A third charge for postage would be extremely op- pressive, in consequence of which. Members of the Imperial Parliament have the privilege of franking Newspapers. We have not seen a Newspaper in tiie United Kingdom, forwarded by Mail without such a frank written or printed on its envelope, and are in- clined to think that were this frank omitted, postage might be charged. We are the more inclined to en- tertain this opinion from the fact, that Newspapers pay- ing no stamp duty, or advertisement tax, though prin- ted in the British Dominions, are charged with post- age on delivery at the Post Offices in the Mother Coun- try ; even when the postage required, as payable at the place in which such Newspapers are printed, is paid on mailing them. Our friends in the United King- dom, advise us that they pay three pence for each Courant on receiving it at the Post Office, and we are required to pay two pence at the Colonial Post Office at which we mail them ; thus making a charge by the Colonial, United States and British Post Offices, of neat- ly five pence sterling on each Paper. On the other hand. Papers charged with stamp duty are, by the pro- visions of an Act of the Imperial Parliament, forward- ed to the Colonies for the charge of one penny on each. This Act gives this reduced rate of postage only to Newspapers charged with the stamp duty. It will therefore be perceived that Newspapers charged with the stamp duty are more moderately rated as respects postage than those Papers on which no stamp duty is imposed, even when such Papers are printed in the British Dominions ; consequently we conclude that although not expressly, yet impliedly, stamp duty is, in the United Kingdom, considered as exempting from postage Papers subject to that charge. Answers 24. V> Answers of Mr, Archibald Ferguson, of Montreal, Pro. prietor and Publisher of the Montreal Herald and ^e"' Montreal Gazette. 1. From the 1st May 1821, at which time I became Proprietor of the Montreal Herald, to the 5th Octo- ber last, seven years and five months, I have paid to the Post Oifice for postage of said Paper, the sum of £500 j and from the 7th April 1827, at which time I publish- ed the first number of the New Montreal Gazette, to the 5th October last, I have paid to the Post Office for postage of said Paper, the sum of £36; which said sums have ' :en paid in cash, advertisements, and work done for the OiHce. 2. 1 have never objected paying the Postage of my Papers ; on the contrary I have always paid it cheer- fully : ail other Printers as well as myself are allowed to send through the Post Office a much greater number of Papers than are paid for, the Deputy Post Master General makiiig us that allowance for bad Debts. 3. 1 am of opinion it would not tend to add much to the circulation of my Papers were the Postage taken off; a person desirous of subscribing would not object doing so on account of the extra charge for Postage, he considei'ing at the same time he had a greater claim on the Post Office for the more punctual delivery of his Paper. 4. I am aware that Newspapers are allowed to go free through the Post Office in England, and I am also aware that about half a million Sterling is annually paid in England for Newspapers iS tamps. Answers of Messrs. Fi'echetlr-S)' Co. of Quebec, Pro- prietors of the Canadien : — 1. When v/e commenced publishing the " Canadien^* last May, the Post Master General informed us, that we should have to pay 5s. a year, lor every Paper we should ^.J I shouLl deliver in at the Post Office, as Postage. We have not hitherto sett'ed accounts with the Post Office. 2. We male no ohjections to that demand. 3. Whatever tends to raise the price of an article tends also to diminish its consumption or use, and that especially ojcurs with respect to articles which, although of great utility, as Gazettes are, are not never- theless considered as being indispensably necessaiy ; and it is admitted that a tax which raises the p: ice of News Papers one fourth and more in certain cases, is injurious to the dirilusion of the information which Periodical Publications convey. Many persons to save Postage, trust to private opportunities of conveyauca, but finding themselves irregularly sup /<'ed with their Papers by such means, they discontinue their subscrip- tions alleging irregularity in the conveyance of their Papers, and that they cannot afford Postage, the mere price of the Paper being in itself a heavy expense. We beg leave here to suggest that whatever measure may be adopted for promoting the circulation of News- papers in places remote from the Capitals, by render- ing them cheaper, it would be necessary in order to prevent greater inconvenience than is relieved against, to provide for the several Post Masters a remuneration for their services in forwarding the Gazettes. The negligence of Post Masters, now that they have some compensation for their trouble, has given all persons employed in the publishing the Newspapers, frequent reason for complaint ; and it is to be supposed that were that ser^'ice gratuitous, tlie neglect would be increased and would render abortive whatever remedy might bo applied to the evil. 4. It appears that in England, Newspapers arc Postage free. D Answers 20 Answers of the Bivd. A. H. Burwell, of Three Rivers : ^1 u ! I being the person with whom the business connected with the " Christian Sentinel," was transacted with the Deputy Post Master General, I take the liberty of answering the Questions proposed by the Com- mittee. 1. I agreed to pay to the Deputy Post Master Gene- ral at the rate of One Shilling per Quarter, for each Subscriber to the Christian Sentinel, whose paper was sent by Mail ; which has been acted upon. As to the ob- ject for which the demand for such payment was made,, I iully beUeve it to be no other than the praiseworthy one of acting in obedience to hi« superiors ; and there- fore that he is not a proper object of persecution on that account. 2. I never objected to the demand, because I considered it perfectly reasonable and just. 3. Yes ; in the same sense that Letter Postage is in- jurious to Epistolary Correspondence. I can see no reason why Postage should be charged on Letters, or Toll on the grinding of the poor man's wheat, which is not valid for charging Postage on Newspapers ; or why the different media of trading in the means of knowledge are not as fair subjects for taxation as the same in other departments of speculation and traffic. Since many Newspapers may justly be regarded ns pub- lic nuisances, I most humbly conceive that a wise and prudent policy would not seek to facilitate their means of circulation. 4. I am. But I am also aware that the Stamp Duty on Newspapers in England is considerably heavier than the Postage exacted in these Provinces ; and that, com- paratively, we leave no cause of complaint in its pay- ment. In conclusion, I beg leave to remark, that in as far as I have had opportunity of observing the official conduct of the Deputy Post Master General, it has be en ^7 been marked by a just sense of official duty, coupled with the kindness and amenity of the private Gen- tleman. Answers of Mr. M. Bibaud, of Montreal : 1. I have been Editor of the Bibliotheque Carta- dlenne, (a Monthly Journal, vhich has since became a Weekly Journal, under the name of L'Observateur,) I have paid 2s. a year for every copy sent by Post, by quarterly payments, and when called upon to do so by the Post Master at Montreal. 2. I have never refused or objected to pay, or had any reason to complain with respect to the payments I have been called upon to make to the Post Master, not deeming myself aggrieved thereby, especially as re- gards UObservateuVy because I was aware of the rates of postage paid by other Editors and Proprietors of periodical publications. 3. Although, as I have before stated, I never thought that 1 had individually any reason to complain of the Dc[uity Post Master General, or of the Post Master at Montreal, I have no doubt that the circula- tion of Newspapers, and consequently the diffusion of knowledge, would be more extensive than it now is in this Province, if no Postage, or a lower rate of Post- age, were charged upon them, being persuaded that the cost of Postage prevents a good many persons from becoming subscibers to the public paper" 4. I believe that no charge is made in England on Newspapers and other periodical publications sent by Post. Answers of Mr. Samtel Neilson, of Quebec: 1. The charges made were for the Postage of the Quebec Gazette, for Postage of English Newspapers, fo'- Parcels and for Letters. The charge of the Post- age ^^ ■ i . 4 age of the Gazette varied on the 1st May last, from 5s. to 6s. a year, when it was published tliree times instead of twice a week. I have ascertained that this charge has varied from Is. 3d. to 6s. The English Newspa- pers used to be received free j they now pay, I be- lieve, about 2d. a piece, which has much tended to prevent their circulation in the Colonies. Our Post Office Accounts have been paid quarterly, in cash, by the Proprietor of the Paper. 2. I have never refused to pay any of the charges of the Post Office, nor ever made any formal objection to them. 3, Undoubtedly the charge for Postage operates against the diffusion of knowledge by the Press. M'hile the population of the country parts is ten times that of the Towns, the Quebec Gazette does not circu- late one third as much in the country parts as it does in the Towns. Although Education has made less progress in the country, yet the numerous complaints against the charge leave no room to doubt that it is a great source of the limited circulation of the Paper. The present charge for the Postage of the Gazette is nearly a third of itF subscription price. — Subscription, 20s. Postage 6s. 4. I am aware that Newspapers circulate free of Postage in (ireat Britain and Ireland on being frank- ed by any Member of Parliament, or by the Chief Officers of the Post Office Department. The Pa|,ers in Great Britain pay, however, a Stamp duty of 4d. sterling each. Answers of Messrs. C. fK & II IV. Tolford, of Sher- brooke, Printers and Publishers of the 'SSaint Francis Courier" : — 1. From the time at which we became Editors, Publishers and Printers of the " Saint Francis Cou- rier and Sherbrooke Gazette," our present Pap^r, we have been required to ]jay, by the Deputy of the De- puty Post Master General, at Sherbrooke, for every Newspaper \n 29 Newspaper sent by Mail to any part of the Province, one penny, and two pence for every Paper received by us from the United States, (wliich latter Postage includes both United States and Provincial :) and we have and are required to settle the same at the expiration of every three months, or quarterly. 2. "We have occasionally objected to the payment of certain amounts of Postage, marked upon tetters and Papers, and received for answer, *' that they were •♦ mistakes of the Post Masters who had entered and " mailed the packages,*' and could not be remedied. At one time we were charged three Shillings upon a double Letter coming from Quebec, to which we ob- jected, and received for answer, that the Letter was probably weighed at Quebec, and charged as an ounce Letter. We however weighed the Letter in the pre- sence of witnesses, and it did not weigh an ounce. 3. Doubtless the Postage upon Papers in this Coun- try, as in every other, is calculated in a great degree, to prevent the diffusion of knowledge through the Press ; as the acquirement of knowledge by the people, must doubtless be in proportion to the facility and ease of obtaining it within their reach. 1<. We have not inibrmed ourselves what the regu- lations are in England, as it respects Po-^lage upon Pa- pers. Thomas Mien Staijne7\ Esquire, Deputy Post Master General, again called in j and examined : — 10. When you were examined before the Special Committee of the Assembly, to whom was last Session referred certain enquiries connected with the Post Of- fice Department, you declined answering questions which were then put to you, touching the Revenue and Expenditure of the Department, until you could write Home to your immediate Superiors, and receive dis- tinct orders for your Government: Did you, in con- sequence, mm so it ! t' t sequence, write to the Post Master General in Eng- land, and what answer have you received ? — I did write to the Post Master General on the subject, trans- mitting him the Report and Proceedings of the House of Assembly. The Post Master General expressed him- self through the Secretary, Sir Francis Freeling, per- fectly satisfied with the manner in which I had con- ducted myself before the Committee. 11. Will you lay before the Committee a copy of your Letter to the Post Master General, and his an- swer to the same ? — I conceive that it would be highly improper in me to expose any Correspondence between the General Post Office and myself, (further than what I may have found it necessary to do in my examination hitherto, and which was given with a view to enable the House to judge of the principle by which the De- partment in this Country is governed,) without ex- press orders to that effect from the Post Master Gene- ral. I must therefore respectfully decline to furnish the Letters called for. 12. Did you, in the Letter you allude to," or in any other, ask the Post Master General permission to an- swer any questions put to you by the House of As- sembly, respecting the Revenue and Expenditure of the Post Office Department in this Province? —I re- quested that if my conduct was not found by the Post Master General to be perfectly correct, he would be pleased to give me ordeis for my future government, in case I should be called upon again. 13. The Committee is therefore to understand that you have not asked permission of the Head of your De- partment to answer these questions? — I made such a communication as I have described, and which I con- ceive is every thing that I promised to do, or could presume to do, in a Letter addressed to my Head of Department. 14. You decline, however, to lay the Communication alluded to before the Committee ?— I do. 31 f 1 I •ik •I 1 Are the Committee to understand that in the Letter, above referred to, you had in view more to so* licit the opinion of the Post Master General as to the light in which he considered your conduct with regard to his Department, rather than to express any wish of answering the Committee ? — My wish was twofold, — to learn how I should act in future, and whether m} con- duct in my first examination had been such as His Grace the Post Master General approved of. IG. What sums of money have you paid over to the Commissariat Department in the years 1828, 1829, 1830 and ISJJl, on account of the Revenue raised by the Post Office Department, distinguishing the amount paid in each year ? — For the reasons already stated by me, I must decline answering this or other questions relating to the Finance of the Department. 17. You state in your answer to the fourth question that the Deputy Post Master General hiis been granted by express sanction from England, the advantage de- rived from the transmission of Newspapers through the Post Office : Will you state the date, and by whom such instructions were given? — I do not possess the original authority, but the usage I have reason to be- lieve has existed since the Department was established in this country, or since Newspapers were first printed in it. 1 8. Did you ever see any authority or instruction to that effect from the Department in England? — The right of the Deputy Post Master General to the ad- vantage in question has been repeatedly recognized to my knowledge. 11). State in what manner that recognition has been made, and by whom? — I will lay before the Committee, Copy of a Letter from the Secretary of the General Post Office, to Mr. Armour, the Proprietor of the Montreal Gazette, who had complained to the Post Master General, that the Post Master of Montreal re- fused to forward his Papers through the Post without the 32 W\ • i ll 1 the payment of the usual quarterly consideration for the performance of the service, in which it is distinctly stated that the advantage belongs to the Deputy Post Master General, as a privilege of office long established and recognized by the Department at Home. 20. TIave you ever informed the Post Master Ge- neral in England of the amount of the sums you de- rived from the transmission of Newspapers ? — I have not informed him of the amount, but I have stated that it was considerable ; and that it was in fact my princi- pal dependance. The Post Master General has like- wise had before him the Evid'^nce on the Post OtHce taken last year before the House of Assembly, in which an Estimate is given of the sums derived by me from the source in question. ^1. What is the amount received by you from the Post Office Department in the United States, and have you communicated to the Post Master General in Eng- land, the income you derive from a Foreign Govern- ment? — I have not made any &uch communication to the Post Master General. I'he income I derive from this source is fluctuating, but what the amount is, I con- ceive the Committee have no right to enquire any more than they have to enquire into the resources of my private income, (if I possess any.) I must therefore decline answering this part of tiie question, as well for the particular reason just stated, as upon the general ground on which I last year urged that f did riot con- sider myself bound to answer questions of this kind. 22. Will you lay before the Committee a correct Re- turn of the present number of Post Offices in this Pro- vince, how long each of them has been established, and under what authority, as also a Return of all Post Offi- ces whic'i have been discontinued, when such discon- tinuance has taken place, and for what cause? — I lay before the Committee a Return of the present number of Post Offices in the Province of Lower Canada, (see AppendiJ: No. 5.) In this Return I have stated when those S3 those Offices were put into Commission which I have formed myself, and, as near as I could ascertain it, the dale of the creation of those which I found in opera- tion ^vhen I received my present appointment. Mr. Sutherland, my Predecessor in office, would have fur- nished me with the correct dates of the establisliment of the Offices made by him, from Documents in his pos- session, had his heatth permitted him to examine his papers, but he has been too much indisposed to attempt the task. I have subjoined to tlie above mentioned, llcturii a Statement of Offices which have been dis- continued by me, witli the reasons for such discontinu- ance. 33, What are the rates of postage now charged on a single Letter from Quebec to each of the Post Offices in the Province? — ! lay before the Committee a Re- turn containing the information required, (^see /ippen- dix No.O.) 24. What are the rates charged for printed Papers, and is there any difference made when the postage is paid at the Office at which the Paper is mailed, or when it is paid at the place at which it is delivered ? — Printers of Newspapers pay at the end of each quarter for the number of Papers sent to their Subscribers, at the rate of 4s. currency per annum for a Paper pub- lished once a "week, and 5s. for a Paper published twice a week ; these rates were in use when I received my present appointment, and I believe for many years previous j some I'apers have lately been issued thrice a week, and I have charged an additional shilling per annim:!, for the third Paper, making Gs, currency a year for transmitting and delivering 15G papers. All exchange Papers sent and received by Printers, whe- ther within the Provinces, or to and from the United States or other foreign parts, go free of any charge whatever, to those Printers who pay quarterly for their Papers. Newspapers sent through the Post by other persons 34 I \ ! 1 m persons than Printers, (which is sometimes though not very frequently done) are forwarded to tiieir destina- tion upon the payment of a penny, when put into the Office, — and tliis same rule (thatof forwarding thtm for a penny a sheet) has heen ap|)hed to Pamphlets and some other printed papers, when persons wish to have them sent hy Post. I'he Committee will see by the Letter of Sir F. FrceMng, to Mr. Armour, Copy of which I now hand in (see Appendiv No. 7,) that if Newspapers, (and it is reasonable to suppose the otiier Papers men- tioned by me also,} are not forwarded upon the pay- ment of the gratuity to me, they arc liable by Law to the charge of tlie full late of postage as paid on Let- ters, the exaction of which would undoubtedly prevent their circulation. I have therefore felt that I had no course to pursue but that which I have described; it is absurd to suppose that I and my Deputies should incur the responsibility and labor of forwarding and delivering Newspapers without compensation, which seems to be the claim set up by Mr. Armour, and the other Printers whose Petitions have led to the enquiry into the Post Oflicc, both last year and this. I did not fix the present rates, nor have I been tenacious in de- fending the propriety of them, or the plan upon which they are collected. I would willingly have modified both the one and the other (under the sanction of my head of Department whom I should consider it my duty to apply to on the subject,) to a reasonable extent, could I have seen any chance of making a change that would have satisfied the Printers, short of doing the work for nothing. It is very true that all the Printers are not so unjust as to expect thisj many of them are perfectly satisfied with the rates which they pay, as well as with the mode of payment j others again ask for a jeduction in the charge, and that the Papers shall either be paid for by the Forwarder or the Heceiver, at their option : a third party, as already noticed, re- quires them to be sent free j— between such conflicting applications 35 lugh not destina- into the em for a nd some ve them I Letter whicli I spapers, ITS men- the pay- Law to on Let- prevent [ had no ibed; it should ing and , which and the enquiry did not IS in de- which nodified of my it my extent, ige that ing the Printers lem are as well k for a rs shall eceiver, ced, re- iflicting ications J.J r. (I applications it has been and still is impossible for me to decide what it would be proper for me to do. As the term " Printed Papers," used in the question to which I am now replying, is rather vague, I think it ne- cessary to explain that there are various descriptions f |)nnted papers which Iconceive are liable to Letter postage umler every circumstance. Printed Circulars from Merchants or others, are of this class j also Ad- vertisements and Notices, (otiier than those contained in Newspapers.) In short any printed communication intended to answer the purpose ofa Letter, I always treat as a Letter. I cannot dispose of this question without referring to the proceedings on the Post Office enquiry last year, in which the Committee, — iti making their Keport, say that *' the Printers are required (in some instances at least,) to \)ay for the transmission of their Papers in advance." This opinion was no doubt founded on the evidence of Mr. Robert Armour, Junior, who appears to have asserted upon his examina- tion that the demand of the charge for transmitting his I'^ather's Papers was always made for a quarter in ad- vance, and a Note granted for the amount. 1 beg to assure the Coniinittce that no such demand was ever made upon Mr. Armour, (or any other Printer,) nor did he ever give a Note in advance; he never gave a Note till the quarter was finisiicd anil the service performed ; and he would have been permitted to continue to do this, had he not refused to pay his Notes when they became due. At present I insist upon his paying at the end of the quarter. 2j. During the time you have held your present office, have applications been made to you for the es- tablishment of new Post Lines and Offices, and to how many of such applications have you returned favoura- ble answers ? — I did not commence forming New Offi- ces until after I received my Instructions, which was in the Summer of 1828 ; since then, tliat is, in three years and a half, I have established about 50 New Offi- ces 3G r f h 4! A W\ ces in Lower Canada, upwards of SO of which have been made wilhin the last year : there are now 103 Offices in this Province. From this it will be seen that the number of Offices has heen nearly doubled since I have had charge of the department, and the number of new Routes has heen increased in as great a propor- tion. The following new Lines have b?en opened by me: — Lst. From fiachine to Salmon Uiver, including Offices at Chateauguiiy, Beauharnois, North George Town, Huntingdon and Dundee, (5 new Offices.) 2nd. From Georgeville (Lake Memphramagog) to Pot- ton, Brome, Churchville, (or East Durham,) antl to unite with the Post Route at West Durham, (3 new Offices.) 3d. From Lapraiiic to the American Line in the State of New Yoik, touching on the Township of Hinchinbrooke, including Odiies at S*t. Remi, Norton Creek, Russell Town, and Manningville, (1< new Offi- ces.) 4th. Another Line from Laprairie through St. George, Babyville and ilemmingford, (3 uew Offices. 5th. A Line from Quebec, via South Shore to Nicolet, (100 miles,) including Offices at St. Nichi las, St. Antoine, Ste. Croix, Lothbiniere, St. Pierre, Gentilly, (() new Offices. Offices have been applied for, for Be- cancourand St. (Iregoire, on this J^oute, which will go into operation on the 6th April next. Olh, A Line from K.amonraska to Rimouski, ( miles, in order to effect a junction with ours. When this Line M ;i7 Line is opened, the Citizens of Quebec will possess a ilirect Post Communication witli Boston, shorter by about 150 miles than the jircscnt channel. Sth A By- Post from L'AFsomption to the Township of Rawdon, ^21 miles. 9th. Another IJy.Post from L'Assompliou to St. Koch Rur L'Achigan, 12 miles. 10th. A IJy- Post from Uy-Town through Hull, to a new Office called •' Aylmtr," whence the Mail crosses to March, in Upper Canada, and on to Fitzroy Harbour and Cas- tleford in the Township of Horton, where I have re- cently madu Ofhces. 11th. A fiine from the Village oi Richmond to Danville in the rear of Shipton, [2 miles : This is upon the Craig's Koiid, and is the com- mencement of a Post Route through that Road to Qiu'bec, which should be established as soon as the Road is practicable, as it would very materially shorten the travel of tlie Mail between Quebec and the Eastern Townships, now so rapidly rising into consideration. I2th. A Post from Comjiton to Hereford, touching the State of Vermont at the latter place. Preparations for openuig the following new Routes arc now in a state of forwardness, viz.: — From Que- bec (per the North Shore) to Murray Bay, 84 miles, including 5 Offices. From Laprairie to Champlain Town, in the State of New York, pnssing through Douglas Town, Napiervillc, Lacole and OcJell Town, a distance of about 45 miles. An Office at Clarenceville for the accommodation of the Seigniories of Noyau and Foucault has been ap- plied for, and been promised. The following applications for new Post Routes and Offices are now under consideration : — 1st. From Cliambly to Dunham, through Mount Johnson. Tiiis Line will probably go into effect early in the Spring. 2d. For a Post from Montreal to pass by Longueiiil, Lhambly, ^i, Jean Baptiste, St. Hilaire, St. Damase, &e. '3d. For an Office at Stukely -: This is acceded to. 4th. For an Office at Barnston — -.This is also ac- ceded 88 ceded to. 5th. For a Post from Quebec to Leeds and Inverness. 6th. I v/ill here observe that when the l^oad from Mitis to kii^tigouche is completed, I enter- tain the hope of being able to establish a Weekly Post by til at ''liannel along the Baie :les Chaleiirs, and thence by the Gulph liore to Gaspe, an object, it ■will be admitted, of vast importance to the inhabitants of the District of Gasp6 and County of Bonaventure, who arc now in a great degree i particularly during the winter) deprived of the means of communicating with Quebec ar.d other parts of tjie Province. The following applications for new Offices and lloutcs have not been complied v.ith, for tiie reasons stated: — 1st. Melbourne — An Ottice has been asked for here, though there is an Office at Piichmond on the opposite of the St. Francis, a distance or a quarter of a mile. It would, 1 conceive, bean injustice to the in- habita.Tts of the V^illage of Richmond to lake their Office from them, and I certainly should not be v j-- ranted in having two Offices in operation within so short a distance of each other. 2d. The inhabitants of Bristol tiid ('laren.don applied for a Post, but it is notorious that there is no practicable Road to these Townships, so that any attempt to supply them with a ]Mail by the North side of the Ottawa would be of very uncertain accomplishment. But as I have just established a Post Line on the Upper Canada side of the River, from March to Fitzroy Harbour, and thence to Castleford in Horton, which places are opposite to Bristol and Clarendon, the inh'ibitants of these latter Townships can with very little inconvenience carry on their correspondence through the Castleford or Fitzroy Harbour Offices: — this I iiave explained to them, and I should hope they will feel satisfied with their present accommodation until they are possessed of a Road on their own side of the water. ' cfinnot at this moment recollect or trace any other application for new Routes or Offices that have not been 39 :.. been complied with, at least not from bodies of the In- habitants. I am not unfrequently addressed by indi- viduals to alter a Post Route or change the situation of an Oftice, willi a v-ew to their own personal advan- tage ; !)ut I cannot suppose thrt it is the expectation of the Committee that every application of this kind is to be treateJ of. I shall conclude my answer to the question now be- fore mc, by obseiving that of late the demand for ne*v Offices in this Province has been great beyond any for- mer precedent ; the desire for th m is still increasing, and I tiusi it will be admitted from the Statements now laid before the Committee, that my exertions have not been, nor are not, wanting to meet the necessities of the country in this respect. Q6. To establish a new Post Route in this Province, or erect a new Office, have you to refer to the Poot Master General in England, or can you do so on your own responsahility? — My Instructions permit me to establish new Post Routes and erect new Offices with- out previous rel'erence home, if after a full investiga- tion of the claims for such, I am satisfied of their proprie- ty : the grounds upon which I am to decide upon such applications, the Committee will find to be clearly ex- p.ained in a transcript from my InstMctions which [ have introduced in a statement called a ** Mi moir," (see AppeudU\ No.A<,) that I have had the honor to lay before them. It may not be improper for me here to remark that formerly the Deputy Post Masier General did not possess the power of opening iiew Routes without special permission from Home. The Post Master General, however, feeling convinced that the spread oi population, and the rapid improvements go- ing on in these Provinces in other respects, called for a corresponding extension of l^ost facilities, and appear- ing to be anxious to prevent the inconvenience which in many cases must attend a previous consideration of the questions in England, has relieved me from the restrictions ^a A' m I ..j: 40 restrictions formerly imposed in regard to this subject, and I consider myself at liberty to erect new Post Routes and Offices to the extent of the means which I may find at my disposal, whenever the claims for the same may appear to be well founded. I must never- theless observe that in the consideration of any new scheme for improvement, involving heavy expense, I should still feel it to be my duty to submit the mat- ter to the Post Master General for his apjjrobation be- fore incurring that expense. My situation demands from me the exercise of great circumspection, as well in the expenditure of money as in other matters : I have been honoreie for me to answer this question with any degree of correctness, and 1 have no books in my pos- session to refer to. What were the average annual expenses during the same timefor the transportation of the Mails, — allowance to Post Masters, and incidental charges and expenses of 1'. •illl i l! ';'■' S' 'ii il': lit 42 the Department in this Province, stating each under separate heads, tu the best of your recollection? — This is a question which I cannot answer. I am sorry I cannot be more exphcit, hut my memory has greatly failed me. What were the average net proceeds of the De- partment, after the above deductions, during the same period ; how were those proceeds employed, and how much thereof were annually or otherwise remitted to the General Post Office in London ? — How much were remitted, 1 cannot say j but any thing that remained in my hands after the expenses 'verepaid, was remitted to tliR General Post Office in London. Did the General Post Office in London ever make any advances for carrying on the Department in this Province, during ."s when for some unforeseen cause the Revenue liu. ot proved equal to the expen- diture? — Not that I am ..ware of. To establish a new Post Route or erect a new Post Office in this Province, had you invariably to refer to the Post Master General in England, or did you ever act in that respect on your own responsability ? — I acted twice on my own responsability immediately after my appointment, and I was reprimanded in con- sequence. One was establishing a route through the Eastern Townships, and the other in upper Canada, both at the request of Sir John C. Sherbrooke. Did you ever refuse to establish a new Post Office, unless the expense of the experiment was promised or guaranteed to be paid by the Inhabitants applying for the same, or that security was given that no loss should accrue to the Department ? — Yes, once or twice. AVhat was the security you usually demanded for the due execution of the duties of a Post Master, and what was the form of the Bond ? — For the small country Offices we required security to the amount of £200, and in the large Towns a^lGOO. The form of the Bond was for the due execution of the office, and was to the King. Did 43 Did any of your Deputies ever fail to regulate and transmit their accounts, and pay over the receipts every quarter ; and what proceedings did you take against them or their securities for the recovery of such defi- ciency ? — Yes, on two different occasions, — the one at Montreal, and the other at Quebec, I lost I think nearly about ^3000. Did those losses you mentioned fall upon your- self, or where they refunded to you from the Depart- ment ? — They were my own loss. Did you, during the time you were Deputy Post Master General, demand from the Printers in this Province, a certain sum for the transmission of their Papers by Mail ; and under what authority did you claim that sum ? — I followed the directions of my predecessor in office, Mr. Heriot, who told me had a right to do so, and of course 1 succeeded to that right. What was the ^'-ineral average sum paid to you each year by the Printers of LoM^er Canada for such trans- mission by Mail <* — I think for weekly Papers it was 4s. per year, and for semi-weekly Papers 5s. per year. Was this amount applied to the general purposes of the Department, or was it a part of your own per- quisites ? — It was a part of my perquisites. Was this demand ever increased or diminished by you during the time you were in office ; what was the nature of that increase or diminution, and the cause thereof ? — As far as I recollect it was 3s. per year, when I first entered the office, and I found so much trouble attending it, that I raised the price to 4s. There were no semi-weekly Papers at that period. The price was raised by me some years after I entered the office. Did you ever dispense with the exaction of that charge in favor of any particular Journal, or did you make i ■ 44 ll 1? m make the same charge against all Papers M'ithout dis- tinction ? — I think all the Papers were charged alike. Did any of the Publishers of Papers complain of this charge, or refuse to pay the same, and upon what grounds, and Mhat was the consequence of such complaints or refusal ? — I think some of them did complain when I first raised the price to 4s, j but none refused to pay it. Did you ever refuse to forward by Mail any public Journals according to their address, and for what reason did you so refuse ? — No j I do not recollect ever having refused. Under what authority did you demand that sum from the Publishers of the Paper instead of the Receivers, and Avhy in advauce ?— There are a great number of Papers delivered by the Couriers upon the Road, and it would be impossible to collect the Postage from the Receivers of the Paper; and several of the Editors and Printers approved of that mode, as they could charge it along with the subscription. Were you in the habit asking any Postage upon Printed Papers sent by the Post, and what Postage, and in M'hat manner was such Postage paid ?— This I do not so well recollect. Did not the American Post Office make you a cer- tain and what allowance or commission for the trouble responsability of collecting the Postages accrueing to it on Letters passing to Lower Canada? — Soon after my appointment to the Department, I proposed to the Post Master General of the United States that he should allow Letters upon which American Postage was not paid in the United States to"" be forwarded on my responsability to account to him for the Postage, which he consented to do, and allowed me a commis- sion for that responsability j and which Commission I found was scarcely adequate to the risk I run in remit- ting Bills of Exchange or Bills on the United States. I was obliged to remit those Bills at j)ar. The Com- mission I received was QO per Cent, "What I 45 dis- ilike. in of Iwhat such did none What sum did that Commission annually amount to ? — It was fluctuating. Did you when Post Master at Montreal receive that allowance in place of the Deputy Post Master General ? — No, I did not. At the time I was Post Master at Montreal, there wls very little communication between this Country and the United States. Is the frank of a Member of the Imperial Parliament considered by you valid in this Province ? — The Frank of the Members of the Imperial Parliament would not generally pass here ; but Despatches from the War Office, and from the Secretaries of State, and the Post Master General, come free oi' Postage through this Province. Robert Armour, Junior, Esquire, called in j and examined : - Have you any information to give on the subject of the Petition presented by you to the House of Assem- bly? I lay before the Committee Copy of a Letter from Mr. liobert Armour, Senior, to Sh' Francis Feel- ing, dated Montreal 18th November, 1830, together with a Copy of a Letter from Sir Francis Freeling to Mr. Armour in reply.— (5e^ AppendU\ Nos. 7 and 8.) Saturday, 4th Fehy, 1832. 2homas Allen Slay ner^ Esquire, again called in ; and examined : — 28. You stated in your evidence of last year that the Acounts of your Department undergo their final txamination in England j how often, and to what pe- riod 1 :.■ i I •^} 46 nod have such Accounts been audited, and does the amount of all your perquisites, Salary or Commission appear in the Accounts transmitted to England ? — My Accounts are transmitted to England quarterly. I do not know to what period exactly they are audited ; but 1 generally receive remarks upon them within a period of nine months from the transmission of such Accounts. As the answering of the remainder of the query would in my opinion be violating the rule which 1 laid down for myself in my examination last year, and which met with the approbation of my Head of Depart- ment, I must, untd I receive Orders from him for im- parting the information called for, respectfully decline answering, further than I have done, questions of this nature. 29. Have any of your Accounts been audited since you held the situation of Deputy Post INIaster General ? "—I beg to remind the Committee that my last answer gives the atiirmative to this question. My Accounts, 1 have reason to believe, have been audited up to a late period, for i have received remarks upon them. 30. Will you state the exact period to which your Accounts have been audited? — It is out of my power to do so. 31. To what purpose is the money arising from Post- age on American Papers applied, and does the same form part of the General Funds of the Department ? — The penny each collected upon American Papers has always been a perquisite of the Deputy Post Master General, the same as the gratuity or allowance for transmitting Provincial Newspapers is : Out of this he indemnifies his Deputies for assisting him in the performance of the service. 32. What is the annual amount of that per quarter ? — Any question of this character I must, for the reasons already stated by me, decline answering. I beg leave here to make a remark which should have come into my last answer, to wit : that American Newspapers for 47 I'or Printers in these Provinces, and which constitute the principal portion of those which come to the Country, are dehvered free of any charge as regards the Post Office Department in this Country : In like manner the Printers in this Country send their ex- change Papers free of expense as regards us. 33. Do you not commute with the American Post Office for the Postage becoming due to them on News- papers ? — Certainly not. I believe that my Deputies lieep an account as accurately as they can of this Postage. It is a difficult task to accomplish this cor- rectly. The amount, whatever it is, that is accounted for to me by my Deputies, I remit to the General Post Office, Washington. 34. Was it not the practice of the Department within a very short period to permit all printed Papers to pass free of Postage ; and for what reason has a change taken place in that practice ? — I believe that the rule has always been as it now is. Mr. Sutherland, ray predecessor, informs me that it was so, though the care- lessness of Post Masters may in many cases have pre- vented its being uniformly attended to. 35. Within a very short period a new practice has been adopted of demanding in advance at the Post Of- fice where such printed papers are deposited, the Post- age thereof, otherwise full Letter Postage is charged on such printed Paper against the receiver ; under what authority has this change taken phice, and what is the object thereof? — The rule, I iiave understood, has al- ways been exactly what is now pursued, though it was not perhaps strictly adhered to ; but in consequence of a Letter which I received from the General Post Office last year, and which afforded me a light upon the sub- ject of sending Newspapers through the Post here that I had not previously entertained, 1 considered it my bounden duty to see that the regulation alluded to in this question was strictly adhered to by my Depu- ties. 36. I! p- - u 1 'Jk \'' i; i:< II iji 48 30. Will yon lay before the Committee a copy of that Letter? — I must adliere to the rule that I have hi- therto acted upon, not to expose the correspondence of my Department, but I have no objection to state the object and purport of the Letter in question, which went to explain in reference to Mr. Armour's com- plaint against the Post Master of Montreal, that if Prin- ters did not think proper to send their Papers through the Post under the customary usage of a gratuity to the Deputy Post Master General, it was my duty to Mail them, and rate them with Postage in the same manner as if they were Letters. 37. What is the amount of United States Post- age collected in this Province?— I have already de- clined answering any question relating to finance mat- ters, nor shall I feel myself at liberty to depart from this rule until I am ordered to do so by my Head of .Department; 38. What per centage are you allowed for the col- lection of that Postage ' -The same answer as the last. 39. Upon what authority is a charge of one penny made for delivering Letters in the ditferer'^ Towns ? — At Quebec and Montreal, a Runner or Letter Carrier is allowed for each Office, at a moderate Salary: one man at each Office might be able to deliver all the Letters if he were allowed to take his own time to it, but as the Public, particularly the Commercial part of it, require to get their Letters promptly after the arrival of the Mails, it has long been necessary, for their ac- commodation, to employ two Carriers at each of these Offices, by which means the Letters are quickly distri- buted. The penny alluded to compensates the Carri- ers, and is an incentive to them to exert themselves. This is a usage ol many years standing, and is I believe perfectly understood by the inhabitants of both Cities. I am aware that there is no Law for taking the penny in question, nor is it ever demanded as a right :— the Car- riers 41) fthat e hi- ce of te the which com- Prin- rough to the Mail aiiner ricrs are clearly instructed upon tiiis point. At Three Rivers also, a penny is taken for carrying out Letters, upon the same un^lerstanding with the public of that Town which prevails at Quebec and Montreal. At the Country Offices people call for their Letters, and of course nothing is taken for delivering them beyond the r ostage. 40. Is the Letter now shewn to you written by you ? — Yes. [^Thejolloxving is the Letter referred to : — ~\ General Post Office, Quebec, 11th January, 1832. Sir, In looking over the Notes, which I have preser- ved, of the evidence given by me yesterday, I find that in my answer to Question 20, I have inadvertently used language which admits of a construction contrary to any thing intended by me. The sentence runs thus : " The Post Master General has likewise had before him the evidence on the Post Office taken last year be- fore the ITouseof Assembly, in which an estimate is given of tlie sums derived by me from the source in question.** Now as it might possibly be inferred from tliis sentence that F admit tiie correctness of the estimate alluded to, which I certainly do not, nor never did, I request that the whole of the said sen- tence may be expunged, when my answer to Question 20, will stand tiuis ; ** I have not informed the Po;t Master General of the amount, but I have stated that it was considerable, and that it was in fact my principal dependence.** I have tlie honor to be. Sir, Your very obedient Servant, T. A. STAYNEll. D. P. M. G. James Leslie, Esquire, Chairman of a Special Committee on the Post Office. G 41. <( (( (t «( (( <( It .50 ' V' I If ft nil 41. In what consists the incorrectness of the state- ment you allude to ; is the amount more or less than mentioned in the Report.' — I cannot consistently with the rule which has hitherto governed me, an- swer this question. 42. Is the Postage upon the envelope of the printed Document now shewn to you amounting to 18s. 9d. correct ? -It is, if it weighs GJ ounces. [^The Document referred to in the preceding Question was a printed Bill, and the Address on the envelope, xvas asjbllows : — ~| • 18s. 9d. *C)l oz. Mr. William Evans, Cote St. Paul, Montreal. Printed Bill. J. Leslie. House of Assembly, 15 December, 1831. * Post Office marks . 43. What Postage would have been charged if it had been paid at the Post Office in Quebec ? — The charge would have been a penny a sheet, and would have amounted probably to 6d. orOd. 44. Upon what authority is the distinction made .' — It is made upon the authority of the distinction described in Sir Francis Freeling's Letter referred to in my Answer 35. By the instruction contained in that Letter, I understand that it is my duty to rate with Letter Postage all Newspapers that are not for- waided under my privilege. I considered that I could not make a distinction between Newspapers and some other descriptions of printed papers, and therefore applied the same rule to them, intending to bring the subject specially under the considera- tion 51 tlon of the Post Master General. I beg leave here to add that printed circulars, advertisements, hand- bills,— in short all printed papers nitended to serve the purpose of Letters, are invariably rated with Let- ter Postage. . a- i? 45. Will you give an extract from Sir Irancis Freeling's Letter regarding that distinction ? -I have already" declined furnishing a Copv of Sir Francs ■ Freeling's Letter for a reason which I have stated, the same obligation prevents my giving an extract: I have, however, furnished the Committee with the subiect matter of the Letter in question. 46. What do you understand by your privilege?--' It is explained in Sir Francis Freeling s Letter to Mr. Armour, a copy of which is before the Committee. nsj APPENDIX i"-" 't ■ ,:5 11 H'\ •f .52 if. u ;{ "i; APPENDIX. ^l: Copy. No. !. General Post Office ^ London, \Qth December^ 1827. I it ir 3# Sir, I have the pleasure to acquaint you that at a Board held yesterday, My Lord The Post Master Ge- neral was pleased to nominate you to the office of De- puty Post Master General of British North Anu rica, on the resignation of Mr. Sutiierland, who has been requested to transfrr to you the Official Seal and do- cuments connected with tiiat office ; and he will pro- vide t'le necessary Sureties, resident in this country, who will enter into a Bond to the Crown, jointly and severally with you, for the due and faithful discharge of yoar duties. The penalty of the Bond will be £4000, and when it is executed, your appointmer-t will be confirmed by the usual CommissiOu. 1 am, Sir, Your ooedient servint, (Signed,) FRANCIS FllEELING, Thomas A. Stayner, Esquire, Quebec. , No. ■:i 53 Copy. No. 2. WILLIAM DUKE OF MANCHESTEP, HIS MA- JESTY'S POST MASTER GENERAL. To al! to whom these Presents sliall come, Thirty live I pounds, j Greeting : — WHEREAS by an Act of Parlia- ment made in the nintli year of Queen Anne, the Post Master Ge-^ neral for the time being, was em- powered to appoint neputy Post iVIasters for all Her Majesty's Do- minions, KNOW YE tlierefore, that by virtue of the power and authori- ty given to me by The King's Most Excellent Majesty, I, William Duke of Manchester, having received good testimony of the fidelity and loyalty to His Majesty, of 'I'liomas Allen Stayner, Esquire, and of his ablility and sufficiency, to manage ihe Posts, settled or to be settled in His Majesty's Provinces of Canada and New Bruns- wick in North America and 'their Dependencies, and reposing great trust and confidence in him do, by these presents, nominate, authorize, and appoint, hmi,the said Thomas Allen Stayner, my Deputy for the govern- ment and management thereof, to have, liold, receive, and enjoy the office of my Deputy Post Master Gene- ral in His Majesty's said Provinces, with all powers, pri- vileges, profitfl and authorities thereunto belonging, for and during my pleasure, and subject to snch condi lions, covenant^, proviso's, payments, orde s, and in- structions, to be faithfully observed and performed by the said Thomas Allen Stayner, and by his Df::iUty and Deputies and Servants, as he shall from time to time receive from me, or from the Post Master General for the time being, in writing subscribed by me or by my 54 :i^: r 'S l!^ i|;^ my orders, except always and leserved to His Majesty and His Successors, all the duty payable for the Post- age or Carriage of all Letters or Packets, according to any Actor Acts of Parliament relating thereunto, over and above the necessary expenses for the management of the said Posts: and I do hereby strictly require all Officers and others employed in, or about the Posts already settled in any part of His Majesty's said Pro- vinces of Canada and New Brunswick in North Ame- rica and their Dependencies, from time to time to give an account of all monies received by them for the Postage of all Letters and Lackets to the said Thomas Allen Stayner, and to obey him in all matters relating to their respective offices, trusts, and employments j and the better to enable the said Thomas Allen Stay- ner to execute the trusts reposed in him, I do hereby grant him full and sufficient power and authority either to discharge or suspend, such Deputy or Deputies em- ployed or to be employed in the management of any Post Office in His Majesty's said Provinces and their Dependencies, who shall in the opinion of the said Thomas Allen Stayner, be found guilty of neglect, mismanagement, or breach of duty in the Office or Offices committed to his or their care or charge, from the furtlior execution of his or their respective trusts j as, also, to nominate and appoint such other person or ' persons in his or their stead, as he shall think proper, until my pleasure be made known : and I do hereby grant to the said Thomas Allen Stayner, a Salary of Five hundred pounds a year, to commence from the date hereof, for his care and trouble in the performance and execution of the trusts reposed in him, so long as he shall continue to be employed by me as my Deputy. In witness whereof, I the said William Duke of Manchester, have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of my Office to be affixed thereunto, this fifth day Gei will deti be or or to Pel or I one exc wh be me to as wh sh[ [ajesty Post- ing to ), over ement uire all e Posts dPro- Ame- to give br the Thomas relating ments ; n Stay- hereby y either ties em- ; of any id their he said neglect, Office or ^e, from I trusts ; srson or proper, • hereby alary of rom tlic brmance so long 3 as my 3uke of lused the his fifth day 55 day of April, one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight, and in the ninth year of His Pflajesty*s Reign. (Signed,) MANCHESTER. By Command, (Signed,) F. Freeling. Secretary. Certified Copv, T. a; STAYNER. No. i3r Copy. I Thomas Allen Stayner, Deputy Posl Master (General of British North America, do swear, that I will not wittingly, willingly, or knowingly open, detain or delay, or cause, procure, permit or suffer to be opened, detained, or delayed, any Letters, Packet or Packets, which shall come into my Hands, Powjr or Custody by reason of my employment in or relating to the Post Office ; except by the consent f the Person or Persons to whom the same shall be dir ctcd, or by an Qxpress Warrant under in Writing the Hand (if one of thePrincipalSecretaries of State for that purpose j except in such cases where the Party or Parties to whom such Letter or Letters, Packet or Packets, shall be directed, and who is or are chargeable with the pay- ment of the port or ports thereof,shall refuse or neglect to pay the .«ame j and except such Letter or Packets as shall be returned for waqt of true Directions, or when the Party or Parties to whom the same is or shall be directed, cannot be found. And that I will not 56 i' Si 'I not any way embezzle iiny sucli Letter or Letters, Packet or Packets, as aforesaid. Swor?i before me, at this Day of (SigncJ,) T. A. STAYNER. Certified Copy, T. A. STAYNER. .h I ty ii No. 4. My Instructions point out to me the necessity of establishing new Post Routes and Offices, and of im- proving the Post facilities in other respects at a rate corresponding with the increasinji^ wants of the country, reporting all my proceedings in such matters to the Post Master General, and exemplifying the al- terations and changes, when requisite, with Maps or Sketches of the Country and Roads, with the view of keeping the Department at Home clearly acquain- ted with all such alterations as tlicy occur. Whilst on this subject, I think it may bo satisfactory to the Committee, to have verbatim, a copy of part of a Letter addressed to me by the Secretary of the Gene- ral Post Office, pointing out various matters for my attention. " Much as has been already done, I would recom- mend you to consider the propriety and expediency of extending and increasing the communications by Post still further, as well on the Great Routes as on the Branches, and more especially in cases in which there 57 tters, ,11. sity of of im- s at a of the matters • the al- \ Mnps he view cqiiain- Whilst y to the it of a^ B Gene- 1 for my there is a prospect that the additional accommodation v/ill afford the means of defraying the extra expen- ses, and where the increase of population and the formation of new Towns and Settlements may fairly justify it. The arrangements of the Post Office ought to keep pace with the settlement, and with the con- sequent demands for accommodation of the Coun- try." My Instructions make me answerable for the con- duct of my several Deputies, and direct me to ap- point only persons of known good reputation and abilities. From these personr. I must take sufficient security to His Majesty as well for the punctual pay- ment of all monies received by them for the postage of Letters, as for the diligent and faithful discharge of their duty, taking care also that they duly qualify themselves by subscribing the customary oath of Office. I am from time to time to acquaint the Post Master General with the appointments I make on the death or removal of any of my Deputies. I am to transmit my accounts quarterly, regularly vouched and attested. T. A. ST4YNER, D. P. M. G. recom- ediency ions by I as on I which there H No, 5. : ■i" i tl III' 11 m 58 No. 5. A Return of the present number of Post Offices in Lower Canada, sta- ting how long; each Office has been Established, and under what autho- rity ; also a Kcturn of all the Post Offices which have been disconti nucd, when such discontinuance has taken place, and fer what cause : — OlIICK. How long, or when ostal)lished. Under what authority. Abbottsford, Previous to 182(), By Mr. Sutherland. Aylmer, 6th Jany. 1832, Present D. P. M. Genl. Baie Chaleur, Previous to 18 IG, Not known. Babyville, 6th October 1831, Present D. P. M Genl. Beauharnois, 6th April 1829, Do Bedford, 6th Jany. 1830, Do Borthier, Previous to 1816, Not known. Bertihcr En Bas, 6th Jany. 1832, Present D. P. M. Gl. Bic, 6th Jany. 1832, Do Bolton, Previous to 1826, ^ discontinued and after- ( wards restored by Mr. v Stayner, ^ Previous to 1826, By Mr. Sutherland. Boucherville, Do Brome, Gth April, 1831, Present D. P. M. Gl. Brompton, 6th July 1831, Do Buckingham, 6th Jany. 1832, Do Cap Sante, Previous to 1823, By Mr. Sutherland. Cascades, Gth July 1^30, Present D. P. M. Gl. Chambly, Previous to 1820, Suppd. M. Sutherland. Chateauguay, Gth April 1829, 6th May 1829, Present D. P. M. Gl. Chatham, Do Churchville, Gth April, 1831, Do Cacona, 6th October 1831, Do Corapton, 6th July 1830, Do Coteau du Lac, Previous to 1820, Not known. Danville, 6th Juny. 1832, Present D. P. M. Gl. Drummondville, Previous to 1820, By Mr. Sutherland. Dundee, 6th July 1830, Present D. P. M. (JI. Dunham, Previous to 1828, By Mr. Sutherland. Eaton, Previous to 1828, -. discoiuinucd and after- f Do. wards restored by Mr. t Stayner, ^ Freligsburg, Gaspe, Previous to 1826, Do Previous to 1816, Not known. (lentilly. Gth July 1831, Present D. P. M. Gl. deorgevilK', Previous to 1828, By Mr. Sutherland. 59 Office. ' How lonf the resigna- tion of the Post Master, and no person being found willing to take charge of the Office. In fact the business done at this Office was so trifling that it was not worth the attention of any individual. HULL, 5th January 1830— In consequence of the necessity for estab- lishing an Office at By-Town on the opposite side of the River Ottawa over which there is a Bridge : two Offices within so short a distance of each Qther could not with any propriety be maiutaiucd. ' BOLTON. CI nOTTON 5tli April 1829,? In consequence of the misconduct of PATON ' 6tli Jauv. 1829, ] the respective Post Masters, and there be- in. ft the time no persons fit'to succee'd them ; both tl^ese Offices .-ere re- eSabished Tsoon as proper Post blasters could bo found, aud they are now in operation. The following Offices on the Bale des Chaleurs subsidiary to the Office at Bale des Chaleuis have been put into operation by me, viz :-> NEW RICHMOND, BONAVENTURE, NEW CARLISLE, PASPEBIAC. it I General Post Office, ? Quebec, Jany. 1832. J T. A. STaYNER. D. P. M. Gl. No. 6« i!|-: '! f^' M •ji 11; if I -It m ^i.^^ G^2 No. G. KATES OF POSTAGE CITARCJED ON A SINGLE LETTER from Quebec to each of the Post Otlices iu the Provluce of Lo«cr Cunudu. Office. sei(;mory or town- ship. Abbottsford, Aylmer, Baie Chalcurs, Babayville, J3eauiiaruois, Bedford, Berthier, Berthier En Bas, Bic, Bolton, Boucherville, Brorae, Brorapton, Buckingham, Cap Sante, Cascades, Chambly, Chateauguay, Chatham, Churchville, Cacona, Conipton, Co^-^au du Lac, Dannville, Drummondville, Dundee, Dunham, Eaton, Freiighsbiir', ) Montreal, 189 9 LMssomption, St. Sulpice, Montreal, 139 9 Lennox villp, Ascot, St. Francis, 191 9 Lotbinit're, Lotbinitire, Quebec, 40 H * La Valtrie, La Valtrie, Montreal, 9 Montreal, IslaAd Montreal, VIontreal, 180 9 Manningvillc, Hiuchiubrooke, Montreal, 234 11 Nicolct Nicolet, Tliree Rivers, 102 9 N. George Town, Amnstield, Montreal, 218 11 Norton Creek, Beauharnois, Montreal, 214 II Petite Nation Petite Nation, Montreal, 270 II Philipsbury, St. Armand, Montreal, 231 11 Port Neuf, Port Neuf, Quebec, 35 H Potton, Potton, Montreal, 237 11 Quebec, Quebec, Quebec, Bawdon, Rawdon, Montreal, 179 9 Iliclimond, Sliipton, Three Rivers, 160 r Kimouski, RimousUi, Quebec, 180 9 River dti Loup, River du Loup, Three Rivers, 111 9 River du Loup En \ Bas, 5 Riv«r du Loup, Quebec, 114 9 River Quelle, River Quelle, Quebec, 78 7 Rusi'ell Town, Beauharnois, Montreal, 223 11 St. Andr6, St. Andre, Quebec, 108 9 St. Andrews, Arg«nteuil, Montreal, 225 11 Ste. Anne Parade, Ste. Anne, Que'ec, 60 H Ste. Anne la Poca- ? tiere, J Ste. Anne, Quebec, 74 7 St. Antoine, St. Antoine, Quebec, 25 ,fi St. Cesaire, St. Hyacinthe, St. Charles, Montreal, 213 St. Charles, Montreal, 165 9 Ste. Croix, Ste. Croix, Quebec, 36 9* St. Denis, Richelieu, Montreal, 159 St. Eustache, River du Chene, Montreal, 201 11 St. Francis, Yamaska, Montreal, 123 9 St. George, St. George, Montreal, 202 11 St. Hilaire, Rouville, Montreal, 172 9 1 St. Hyacinthe, St. Hyacinthe, Montreal, 179 9 St. Jean Port Joli, St. Jean Port Joli. Quebei;, 54 H St. Johns, Dorchester, Montreal, 207 11 i! 6lf Office. il i: - 'I (Jf'ii ii f SKIGNIORV OR TOWN siiir. St. Marie do Mon- > noir, 5 St. Miithiai, St. Nicholas, St. Oiirg, St. Pierre les Bee- ? quets, 5 St. Keml, St.lloch des Axilnets, St. Roch do L'A- 1 chiiran, 3 St. Thomas, Sheft'ord, Sherhrooke, Stiuistead. Tcrrebonno, Three Rivers, Trois Pistoles, Varennes, Vcrcheres, \Vm. Heury, Yamaska, J Yaraachiche, Total number of Offices 103, besides not iucluded in this List Rouvillc, Roiiville, St. Nicholas, St. Ours, St. Pierre, La Prairie, St. Roch, St. Roch, St. Thomas, Shefford, Ascat, 3taii»tcad, Terrebonne, Three Rivers, Trois Pistoles, Varennes, Verchdrcs, Sorel, Vamaska, Vamachicbe, DISTRICT. Montreal, Montreal, tjuebei!, Montreal, Quebec, Montreal, Quebec, Montreal. Quebec, Montreal, Three Rivers, Montreal, Montreal, Three Rivers, Quebec, Montreal, Montreal, Montreal, Montreal, Three Rivers, 4 Offices on the Bale c/l •iOG 183 10 152 66 •204. 69 171 34 •242 187 •221 193 00 146 140 127 I 8. d. II 9 H 9 7 11 7 9 11 9 11 9 7 9 9 9 9 9 des Cbaleur8> * La Valtrie, Subsidiary to Berthier. J. St. Hyacinthe, do. to St. Charles. . Yamachiche, 'o. to Three Rivers. January, 1822. T. A. STAYNER, D, P. M. O. No. 7. li'ii' 65 Oh 8. d. No. 7. 11 H 9 7 U 7 9 4i 11 9 II 9 7 9 9 9 9 9 9 General Post Office, .ondon, Jth April, 1831, that I have laid befu (Copy.) Sir, I beg to acquaint you luat i nave laia oeiorc My Lord the Post Master General your epresenta- tions on the subject of the Deputy PoLt Master at Montreal having declined to forward your Newspa- pers by the Post, without the payment of the usual gratuity to the Deputy Post Master General at Que- bec, and I am commanded to acquaint you that the gratuity in question is the lon^ established and au- thorized perquisite of the Officer in question, and that all Newspapers circulated by the Post in British North America otherwise than under his privilege, are liable by Law to the charge of the full rates of Postage. I regret the delay which occurred to your News- papers on the occasion alluded to, which appears to have arisen from a misconception of his Instructions on the part of the Post Master at Montreal, but you will see from the foregoing explanation that if he had forwarded them they must have been charged with Postage. I am, &c. &c, &c. (Signed,) F. FREELING. R. Armour, Esquire, Montreal Gazette Office, Montreal. Sir, No. 8. Montreal Gazette Office, Montreal, 18tk November, 1830. To Sir Francis Freeling, I am induced by your well known and long esta- blished reputation for giving information or redressing 1 grievances tn- T * 66 Mi If /■( ^\\^ grievances however minute, connected with the Post Office Department, to take the hberty of addressing you on a subject interesting to me individually, but more so as it may eventually involve a question of high constitutional importance, as to what extent the Post Office of Great Britain is authorized by law to regulate the internal Post Office establishments of the Colony, and to draw a Revenue therefrom. This latter consideration, as it may come under the discussion of the Provincial Legislatures, I shall make no comments on, but simp!) state what immediate concerns myself. I have been for several years Proprietor of the Montreal Gazette, published by authority, which has a considerable circulation both in the Lower and Up- per Provinces of Canada. It is published twice a week on an Imperial Sheet of paper at the very mo- derate rate of 20s. currency per annum, for Town Subscribers. The circulation of the Gazette beyond the vails of Montreal has been most materially check- ed in consequence of a charge which Mr. Stayner, the Deputy Post Master General of Quebec, has or- dered the Post Master of Montreal to make of 5s. per annum, for each number transmitted by Mail, whether for ten miles or a hundred, which is an ad- dition of 25 per cent, to the first cost of the Paper. From the great respect I feel, and should always wish to shew to all constitutional authorities, I should probably, however detrimental to my interests, have submitted for some time longer in silence to what I deem a self created tax, or perhaps a private perqui- site, (for I have in vain consulted English or Provin- cial Law authorities, and repeatedly asked Mr. Stayner to point out the Law under which he acted,) had he only collected this Postage from Subscribers, after transmission and on the deliivery of the Papers j but as this customary mode would, it appears, have been troublesome and inconvenient to him, he has adopted ■ *ost }ing I but of tent law ts of rom. the hake liatc 67 atlopted the very extraordinary, and I conceive un- justifiable plan of obliging all the Proprietors of Papers to pay in advance or commute with lii.m on the best terms they can for all Papers sent by Mail. The collection of Newspaper Accounts, over such extensiv3 countries as Lower and Upper Canada by means of private Agents is well known, to be both troublesome and expensive, and on which numerous losses must inevitably accrue, but in ad- dition to all these we are obliged to collect and ^^m- rantee ihis demand for Postage, though Mr. Stayncr by means of his numerous Deputies could collect it, \^ 2L legal rights w'xih. much greater facility, and with little or no expense to himself or the Department. After much correspondence with Mr. Stayner, and unavailing remonstrances against the mode of collecting this tax, for I was not then altogether inclined to question its legality, I came to the resolution of try- ing the question whether I could be compelled to pay this Postage in advance, and to be the col- lector at my ,own risk and expense for the advantage of Mr. Stayner or the Department, J accordingly sent some parcels of the Gazette to the Post OlHce here, requesting them to be forwarded to their diffe- rent destinations, charging them with whatever might be deemed the /(?^fl/ postage on them j Mr. Porteous the Post Master of Montrea' acting as he tells me by special orders from Mr. Stayner of Quebec, refused to forward them unless I settled for the Postage ac- cording to former custom. This I refused to do, and the consequence was, that no Gazettes were for- warded by any of the Mails of that day. Finding that nothing- short of ruin to my business would be the conseauence of further resistance, I made a virtue of necessity, and submitted (though under protest) to these arbitrary exactions. For your information I en- close copies of two different protests which will still further elucidate this subject. I have continued for nearly a year since I made these protests r v'-^'*' ■■■'. 'i I ] I . )i ill '., i in ,! I «;, 68 protests to pay for Postage on Newspapers as for- merly, as Mr. Stayner informed me as far back as December last, that he had written to you for infor- mation on this subject, but as he has not thought pro- per to communicate to me or to the public what your answer was, but continues his former mode of collecting postage, I am necessitated at once to ap- ply to the head of the Department in Britain, for the requisite information. I therefore most respectfully request that you will have the goodness to inform me, what is the Law on this point, and if any and what rules and regula- tions have been forwarded to the D. P. M. General of the Province for his guidance and the information of the public. I would likewise humbly suggest that for the sake of avoiding useless misunderstandings with existing authorities, to me peculiarly unpleasant, that these orders should be made as public as possible. It may be requisite for you to know in case you have not latterly received regular returns from the D. P. M. G. at Quebec, of the large sums collected under your supposed sanction lor the Postage on about Jbrti/ Newspapers now published in Lower and Upper Canada, which have all to pay in same way, that some years ago it was only Is. 3d. per number, after- wards 2s. 6d. and now raised to 5s. without the pub- lic being made aware by what Law, Rule or Regulation these changes were made. From having been in early life employed in a re- spectable Post Office in Scotland, I have still some general knowledge of the Rules of your Department, and still recollect the admirable frankness, clearness and absence of all mystery or concealment, which cha- racterized all your orders and instructions relative to the Establishment. It would be very desirable that similar publicity, candour and liberality distinguished the proceedings of the D. P. M. General at Quebec. Being strongly attached to the Government of (he . Mother 69 Mother Country it is my duty, as assuredly it is my inclination, to submit to whatever is just, equitable and legal, and when lam convinced that Mr. Stayner's charge of Postage in advance has any of these recom- mendations or your sanction, I shall witli great defer- ence acquiesce in your decision. 1 shall esteem it as a great obligation if you would favor me with an early answer to this appeal to your judgment, and would beg of you to send the first copy of your Letter to the care of my Agents Messrs. K. Dowie & Co. Liverpool, who will forward it with- out delay, the duplicate will come safely by the Brit- ish Packet from Falmouth. I have the honor to be. Sir, With great respect, Your most obedient humble Servant. (Signed,) ROBERT ARMOUR. To, Sir Francis Freeling, Bart. Secretary, General Post Office, London.