[142] _Quebec Gazette_, May 28, 1789. [143] _Quebec Gazette_, May 28, 1789. [144] _Can. Arch._, Br. P.O. Transcripts, I. [145] _Freer Papers_, I. 54. [146] _Can. Arch._, Q. 278, p. 283. [147] 18, Geo. III. c. 22. [148] _Can. Arch._, Q. 278, p. 44. [149] The affairs of the colonies were at this period managed by the home secretary. [150] The province of Upper Canada became known in political geography as Ontario in 1867. [151] _Can. Arch._, Q. 283, p. 117. [152] _Ibid._, C. 284, p. 21. [153] _Ibid._, Q. 290, p. 200. [154] _Ibid._, 87, pp. 251-268. CHAPTER VI 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. George Heriot, who succeeded Finlay, had been a clerk in the board of ordinance for many years before his appointment as deputy postmaster general. He was a man of some literary ability, his history of Canada which was published in 1801 being a high-priced item in catalogues of Americana. Of Heriot's zeal and intelligence the general post office had no reason to complain, but he had a sensitive self-esteem, which was a most unfortunate possession as matters then stood. Ordinarily, personal characteristics such as these would call for no mention, but the relations between the post office and the provincial authorities at this time were so difficult that the utmost tact on the part of the deputy postmaster general would scarcely gain more than a tolerable success. The position of the deputy postmaster general towards the governor and the legislatures was peculiar. As an official of the general post office in London, he was subject to the orders of the postmaster general and to no other authority whatever. Neither the governors nor the legislatures had the least right to give him instructions. Although the postal service was indispensable to the conduct of the official and commercial transactions of the colony, and its maintenance in a state of efficiency a matter of first importance to the colony, the power of the colonial authorities went no further than the submission of their views and desires to the postmaster general or to his deputy in Canada. To a community jealous of its rights of self-government, the situation was irritating enough, but the natural annoyance might have been largely relieved by an appreciative regard, on the part of the post office, for the wants of the rapidly increasing settlements. This, however, was the last trait the post office was likely to show at this period.