Collection search - Hugh Finlay report [textual record]

Record information – Brief
1
Hugh Finlay report [textual record]

Hierarchical level:

Item

Date:

1787.

Reference:

R7485-0-9-E, MG21 (King's Maps CXIX-59-2-a,b), Volume number: 1, 1

Type of material:

Textual material

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

105361

Context of this record:

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Hugh Finlay report
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Record information – Details
Date(s):

1787.

Place of creation:

Québec (Province)

Extent:

0.8 cm of textual records (32 p.) photocopies.

Language of material:

English

Scope and content:

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Item is a copy of a report, 30 August 1787, made by the Deputy Postmaster General for the Province of Quebec, Hugh Finlay (ca. 1730-1801), to the Right Honorable Lord Dorchester, Governor General of the Provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, after a survey of the Post Route between Quebec and Halifax (King's Maps CXIX, 59-2-a), together with a map of Nova Scotia, showing the Post routes, drawn ca. 1787, by James Peachey (fl. 1773-1797), Ensign in the 60th Regiment (King's Maps CXIX, 59-2-b; CAAD reference NMC-117639). Attached to the report are two tables of distances, and a number of extracts from letters, 1783-1786, quoted in the report.

Provenance:

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Finlay, Hugh, 1732-1801

Biography/Administrative history:

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Finlay, Hugh, 1732-1801 : Hugh Finlay (1732-1801) was the third son of Robert Finlay, a [Glasgow] tanner and cordwainer, and Susanna Finlay (née Parkins). In 1763 he emigrated to Quebec where he became a prominent merchant and politician, as well as the "father of the Canadian post office." Before departure from Britain, Finlay was assured that he would be appointed postmaster of Quebec upon arrival. This was confirmed on 10 June 1763. On 5 January 1773 Finlay was appointed Surveyor of the Post roads in the Continent of North America. On 31 January 1774 he was named one of the two joint deputy postmasters general of North America, but the American Revolution soon made this appointment largely obsolete.

In the summer of 1780, Finlay was appointed superintendent of post houses in Quebec. Originally without a salary, he was able to get the position salaried in 1781. In 1784 he became deputy postmaster general of the province of Quebec. In 1787 he undertook a survey of the postal route between Quebec and Halifax. As a result of this, he recommended unified authority over the entire route and, in 1788, obtained his own appointment as deputy postmaster general of British North America. Financial difficulties led to his dismissal from the Post Office in October 1799. He died on 26 December 1801.

Finding aid:

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Textual records: (Paper) Finding Aid MSS599 provides information on a number of the items copied from King's Maps CXIX and held variously in CAAD, DAP, and the Manuscript Division. MSS599

Additional information:

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Custodial history:

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The King's Manuscripts are a manuscript collection formed mainly by the purchases of George III and by gifts made to him. The collection was presented to the British nation in 1823 by George IV. It was deposited in the British Museum (now the British Library), where it is kept as a separate collection, numbered as King's MSS. 1-446, although it is catalogued and indexed together with the collections of George III's predecessors on the throne, known as the Royal or Old Royal collection. The maps, plans, topographical drawings and related manuscripts attached to the collection are separately catalogued as the King's Maps., At some time, probably prior to World War I, the National Archives of Canada made photocopies, in the form of negative photostats, of a number of the items in the heterogeneous collection of topographical drawings and manuscripts in King's Maps CXIX. Most of these items, many of which are listed in Finding Aid No. 599, are held in the Cartographic and Architectural Archives Division (CAAD) or the Documentary Art and Photography Division (DAP). At some time prior to 1955, however, Hugh Finlay's 1787 postal route report (King's Maps CXIX, 59-2-a) appears to have been transferred to the Manuscript Division by CAAD. The associated map (King's Maps CXIX, 59-2-b) remained in CAAD (their reference NMC-117639); in 1990 a photocopy of it was placed with the report in the Manuscript Division for the convenience of users.

Location of originals note:

Originals in the possession of the British Library, England.

Container note(s):

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1 : P
Subject heading:

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Postal service - Quebec (Province), 1787 Quebec (Province). Post Office. Deputy Postmaster General, 1787

Postal service - History, 1787 Hugh Finlay, 1787

Postal service - Stations and branches, 1787 Lord Dorchester, 1787

Postal service - Quebec (Province) - Postmasters, 1787 James Peachey, ca. 1787

Governors general - Quebec (Province), 1787

Governors general - Nova Scotia, 1787

Governors general - New Brunswick, 1787

Quebec (Province) - Surveys, 1787

Nova Scotia - Surveys, 1787

Halifax (N.S.) - Surveys, 1787

Postal service - Postmasters, 1787

Route choice - Quebec (Province), 1787

Route choice - Nova Scotia, 1787

Route surveying, 1787

Nova Scotia Early Works to 1800
Source:

Private

Former archival reference no.:

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MG21 (King's Maps CXIX-59-2-a,b)
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Textual records

[Consultation90 Open]

Volume [MG21 King's Maps CXIX 59-2-a] 1

[Consultation 90 Open]

Volume [MG21 King's Maps CXIX 59-2-b] 1

[Consultation 90 Open]

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Date modified:: 2024-05-10