Mr. Morse had failed, or probably thought Canada at that time not important enough, to take out a patent for his invention, hence it was open to any or all who chose to use it.
In 1846 the first Canadian Telegraph Company was formed with a capital of $16,000; its object was to connect Toronto and Hamilton with the American lines at Buffalo. The corporate name of the Company was the “Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara & St. Catharines Electro-Magnetic Company.”
A line was speedily erected and the desired connection made.
At the end of this year action was taken at Montreal to organize a telegraph company.
The Origin of the Montreal Telegraph Company
At a meeting of the Council of the Montreal Board of Trade, held on Dec. 26, 1846, a Committee was appointed to enquire into the best means of extending the use of the electric telegraph system into Canada. The Committee reported favorably of the project.
After giving the subject full and earnest consideration, on December 29, three days afterwards, a general meeting was convened for the purpose of forming a company to connect Montreal and Toronto by a line of electro-magnetic telegraph, the capital to be £12,500 in 1,250 shares of £10 each.
Among those present were L. H. Holton, D. L. Macpherson, Fred A. Wilson, John Glass, T. W. Middleton, Thos. Tait, Henry Starnes, John Young, Henry Joseph, I. Taylor, William Murray, Andrew Shaw, George Elder, jun., and Henry Chapman.
On motion of L. H. Holton, seconded by D. L. Macpherson, Mr. Young took the chair.