The Chairman stated the object of the meeting to be the organization of a company by parties in favor of connecting Montreal and Toronto by electro-magnetic telegraph, and who had proposed to take stock in the company to be formed for that purpose in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Trade.
It was moved by Mr. Elder and seconded by Mr. Starnes, that the meeting do organize itself into a company to be entitled the Montreal & Toronto Magnetic Telegraph Company. This was carried.
It was then moved by Mr. Chapman, seconded by Mr. Tait, that Messrs. Shaw, Glass, Elder and Young be a Provisional Committee to conduct the affairs of the Company.
Moved by Mr. Holton, seconded by Mr. Macpherson, that the Provisional Committee be empowered to enter into all necessary arrangements for the early construction of the proposed line of telegraph, the whole of the shares having been taken up.
At a meeting held on January 22, 1847, it was moved by Mr. Lindsay that Andrew Shaw, John Young, John Glass, George Elder, jun., and Henry Chapman be directors for the ensuing year—Carried.
On the 6th of March, 1847, Mr. O. S. Wood was appointed Superintendent of the Company, and immediately took charge of the Company’s operations.
The charter was obtained on July 28, 1847, under the amended title of the Montreal Telegraph Company.
Andrew Shaw was elected its first President, Mr. James Dakers, Secretary.
In securing the services of Mr. Wood the new Company was exceedingly fortunate. He had been associated with Professor Morse, was his first pupil, and undoubtedly the most experienced telegraph man of that day in America, a man of great ability and of the highest personal character.
Proceedings were immediately begun in construction work.