it was computed averaged 15 cents
on each letter, was reduced to a uniform charge of 5 cents per 1/2 oz.,
the decrease being equivalent to 2/3 or 66-2/3 per cent. on the former
rate. A very considerable reduction was also effected in the rate of
postage on newspapers. The increase in the number of letters transmitted
through the post, within a year after the reduction of the rate, was 75
per cent. Several improvements, including the introduction of postage
stamps, were effected in this year, and the operations of the department
greatly extended.

On the 31st March, 1853, the Hon. James Morris was succeeded as
Postmaster General by the Hon. Malcolm Cameron. At the latter end of
this year and the beginning of the year following the conveyance of the
mails was transferred to the Northern Railway between Toronto and
Bradford, and to the Great Western Railway between Suspension Bridge and
Windsor. The Hon. Malcolm Cameron was succeeded by the Hon. Robert
Spence, who assumed charge of the department on the 11th September,
1854. In February, 1855, the money order system was first introduced
into Canada. The system was at first confined to 84 post offices: it now
embraces within its operations 229 offices. The month of May, 1856, was
marked by the first voyage to the St. Lawrence of the line of Canadian
Steamers, under contract with Hugh Allan, Esq., of Montreal, for the
conveyance of the mails between Quebec and Liverpool in summer, and
Portland and Liverpool in winter. In October, 1856, the Grand Trunk
Railway, which had previously been completed as far westward as
Brockville, was opened from the latter point to Toronto, and, in
connection with the Great Western Railway, an unbroken line of postal
communication established between Quebec in the east, and Windsor in the
west. The following statement of the time occupied in the transit of a
letter in winter between Quebec and the principal cities and towns in
Western Canada, in 1853 and in 1857, will give some idea of the
improvement effected:--

In 1853. In 1857.

Quebec to Windsor 10-1/2 days. 49 hours.
" London 9 " 45 "
" Hamilton 8 " 42 "
" Niagara 8 " 50 "
" Guelph 9 " 51 "
" Toronto 7 " 40 "
" Cobourg 6 " 36 "
" Belleville 5 " 34 "