The
following is an explanation which accompanies the Benjamin Franklin anniversary
stamp -
“In
1753, Philadelphia Postmaster Benjamin Franklin was promoted to joint deputy
postmaster general for the British colonies and opened the first Canadian post
office in Halifax to link the Atlantic colonies with Britain. But eventually,
Franklin’s involvement with the growing revolt against the British Empire made
it necessary for him to leave his post.
Hugh
Finlay was confirmed as postmaster general at Québec on June 10, 1763. The
ambitious Finlay arranged for a courier from Montréal to New York to reach the
monthly packet sailing to Britain. By 1771, weekly service was available year
round. His innovations earned a profit for the British Post Office Department,
which paid Finlay a fifth of gross receipts.
In
1833, the Quebec-built Royal William was the first steamer to carry mail across
the Atlantic. Canada’s first railway line was established in 1836, and became
quickly recognized as a way to carry mail faster and farther. In 1840, Samuel
Cunard’s new steamer Britannia transported mail between Liverpool and Halifax.
Following Confederation on July 1, 1867, postal systems from Halifax to Fort
William, on Lake Superior, amalgamated. And on April 1, 1868, An Act for the
Regulation of the Postal Service officially created Canada’s uniform postal
system”.
To
read more about Canada Post, there is an article about it on the O Canada site -
and
