1792 to 1851
This post deals with the internal domestic Canadian letter rates in effect during the period when the Post Office was under British colonial jurisdiction, i.e. up to 1851. Colonial internal postage rates were based on distance. Until 1844, internal postage rates were based on both distance and the number of sheets of paper. In 1844, a weight system was introduced. Letter rates were then based on distance and weight.
A. June 1 1792 to January 4, 1844 : Rate by Distance and Sheets of Paper
The rates for single letters, i.e., those written on one sheet of paper, were as follows:
Distance : 0 - 60 miles
Rate : 4 1/2d.
Drummondville, L.C., to William Henry (now Sorel), July 4, 1833
4 1/2d. single sheet rate
Hamilton to York, November 29, 1833
9d. double sheet rate (2 x 4 1/2d.)
Distance : 61 - 100 miles
Rate : 7d.
Port Hope to Toronto, September 23, 1839
7d. single sheet rate
Distance: 101 - 200 miles
Rate : 9d.
Fort Erie to Toronto, March 20, 1835
9d. single sheet rate
London to Toronto, May 28, 1838
This letter was incorrectly rated 9d. Since there was an enclosure, it was a double letter. The 9d. was struck out and the correct rate "double 1/6" written:
Distance: 201-300 miles
Rate: 11d.
Grenville, U.C, to Quebec, L.C., February 5, 1841
11d. single sheet rate
Gananoque to Toronto, July 24, 1837
1s. 10d. double sheet rate ( 2 x 11d.)
Gananoque to Toronto, december 3, 1838
2s. 9d. triple sheet rate ( 3 x 11d.)
Distance : 301-400 miles
Rate: 1s. 2d.
Kingston, U.C., to Quebec, L.C., August 31, 1831
1s. 2d. single sheet rate
Distance: 401-500 miles
Rate: 1s. 4d.
Montreal, L.C., to St. Catharines,U.C., 1836
1s. 4d. single sheet rate
B. January 5, 1844 - April 5, 1851 : Rate by Distance and Weight
Internal rates for single weight letters, 1/2 ounce or less, were as follows:
Distance : 0 - 60 miles
Rate : 4 1/2d.
London to Woodstock, January 24, 1844
4 1/2d. one-half ounce rate
Distance : 61 - 100 miles
Rate : 7d.
Lancaster to Montreal, January 13, 1845
7d. one-half ounce rate
Distance: 101 - 200 miles
Rate : 9d.
Steamboat Letter Montreal to Quebec, July 27, 1847
9d. one-half ounce rate
Distance: 201-300 miles
Rate: 11 1/2 d.
Drummondville to Kingston, March 2, 1844
11 1/2 d. one-half ounce rate
Distance : 301-400 miles
Rate: 1s. 1 1/2 d.
Montreal to Toronto, May 13, 1847
1s. 1 1/2 d. one-half ounce letter rate
Distance: 401-500 miles
Rate: 1s. 4d.
[Not Shown]
Distance: 501-600 miles
Rate: 1s. 6d.
Montreal to Goderich, December 19, 1844
1s. 6 d. one-half ounce rate
