cit instructions with regard to rates of
postage, and stated that postage stamps were being prepared. Mr. Howes
gives the chief provisions of this Notice as follows:--

NOTICE TO POSTMASTERS.

GENERAL POST OFFICE.
MONTREAL, _14th March, 1851._

Sir:--

I am commanded by His Excellency the Governor General, to
communicate to you the following instructions, for your guidance in
the performance of your duties, under the New Post Office Law of
the 13th and 14th Vict., chap. 17, passed at the last Session of
the Provincial Parliament, which will take effect, and supersede
the Imperial Post Office Acts, hitherto in force in Canada, on and
from the 6th day of April next:

1.--From the above date, all Letters transmitted by the Post in
Canada, with the exception of Packet Letters to and from the United
Kingdom, will be liable to a uniform rate of _Three Pence_,
currency, per half-ounce for whatever distance conveyed: prepayment
will be optional: the charge increasing according to the weight of
the Letter, one single rate for every additional half-ounce,
counting the fraction of a half-ounce as a full rate, thus:

A Letter, weighing not exceeding 1/2 ounce, will be liable to 3d
postage.

A Letter, weighing more than 1/2 ounce, and not exceeding 1 ounce,
will be liable to 6d Postage.

A Letter, weighing more than 1 ounce, and not exceeding 1-1/2
ounces will be liable to 9d Postage, and so on.

It will be observed that the above scale differs from that now
followed, in advancing one rate for each half-ounce after the first
ounce.

2.--The single Packet rate for Letters by the Atlantic Steam Packet
Mails to and from England, via the United States, of 1s 2d
sterling, if _unpaid_, and 1s 4d currency, if _prepaid_, as also
the rate on Letters, by those mails, via Halifax, of 1s sterling,
if _unpaid_, and 1s 1-1/2d currency, if _prepaid_, remain
unaltered, and the present scale of weights is to remain in force
as regards such Letters.

Post Masters must be very careful to observe this distinction when
taxing letters, weighing over one-ounce, intended for the English
Mails.

3.--The regulations now in force with regard to Letters to and from
Soldiers and Sailors in Her Majesty's Service, by which under
certain conditions su