The postmaster general concurred, and Howe was duly instructed. As it appeared at the end of the first year's operations, that the revenue derived from the posts set up by the legislature amounted to £268, while the expenses were £383, the postmaster general decided to leave the service in the charge of the legislature, with instructions to Howe to keep his attention alive to the subject in case a change in the financial results might make it desirable for the postmaster general to assert his authority.
The outcome of the negotiations was that the revenue collected by the post office in its internal system was passed over to the provincial treasury, which defrayed the cost of maintaining the couriers. The situation remained unchanged until 1851, when the control of the post office was formally transferred to the colonial legislature. The financial results of the system were at no time of any considerable magnitude, and the expenses constantly outran the revenue, though not sufficiently to make the post office a serious burden on the provincial revenues. In the year 1850, the total net receipts were £1441, and the expenditure was £1528.
FOOTNOTES:
[269] Howe to Lawrence, September 2, 1839 (Br. P.O. Transcripts).
[270] Report of Committee of Assembly, February 25, 1842 (enclosure in Howe to Maberly, April 4, 1842, Br. P.O. Transcripts).
[271] Falkland to colonial office, April 30, 1841 (Br. P.O. Transcripts).
[272] Journals of Assembly, Canada, 1846, App. F. (E).
[273] Howe's death took place on January 18, 1843.
[274] Watson to secretary, G.P.O., July 17, 1844 (Br. P.O. Transcripts).
[275] Journals of Assembly, 1844.