In the preparation of the chapter on the postal service of Newfoundland, I had the advantage of a rather close acquaintance with that service, due to my having had charge of it some years ago for a period of several months. The material on which the chapter is founded has been gathered from the records of the general post office, and the legislative papers of the colony. In collecting my material, I have received ready assistance from all to whom I have applied. To all these my hearty gratitude is tendered. A word of special acknowledgment is due to Mr. Edward Porritt, author of _The Unreformed Parliament of Great Britain_, who kindly read the manuscript, and to whose experience I am indebted for many valuable suggestions. WILLIAM SMITH. _August 1920._ CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER I 1 Beginnings of postal service in former American colonies. CHAPTER II 18 Colonial post office under Queen Anne's act--Early packet service. CHAPTER III 37 Communications in Canada prior to the Conquest--Extension of colonial postal service to Canada--Effects of colonial discontents on post office. CHAPTER IV 58 The post office during the Revolution--Its suppression. CHAPTER V 74 Beginnings of exclusively Canadian postal service-- Administration of Hugh Finlay--Opening of communication with England by way of Halifax--Postal convention with United States. CHAPTER VI 96 Administration of George Heriot--Extension of postal service in Upper Canada--Irritating restrictions imposed by general post office--Disputes with the administrator of the colony. CHAPTER VII 114 Administration of Daniel Sutherland--Postal service on the Ottawa river, and to eastern townships--Ocean mails. CHAPTER VIII 131 Postal conditions in Upper Canada--Serious abuses--Agitation for provincial control. CHAPTER IX 153 Thomas Allen Stayner deputy postmaster general--Restrictions of general post office relaxed--Grievances of newspaper publishers--Opinion of law officers of the crown that postmaster general's stand is untenable--Consequences. CHAPTER X 173