CXX ROYAL SO(^IETY OF CANADA 



30 per cent ad valorem. 1 am fully persuaded that a great many re- 

 prints as well as other books are clandestinely introduced into the 

 province, and there are very few individuals, travelling to and from the 

 United States, who do not bring with them a lew volumes which pass 

 unnoticed, the duties on which would amount to a considerable sum 

 yearly. Tliis would be obviated by permitting booksellers to import 

 them who generally purchase books from the publishers in New York 

 and Philadelphia, at a much lower rate than private individuals, and 

 consequently would be enabled to sell them in Canada, on such terms as 

 would preclude the ijecessity of other persons than bookse'JoTs importing 

 them. 



The free admission of English reprints from the United States for 

 sale, on payment of duty, I do not conceive would materially affect im- 

 porters of English books, so long as private individuals are permitted by 

 law to import them. It would have the beneficial effect of affording all 

 classes an opportunity of supplying themselves with cheap works, which 

 they are now precluded from doing and would at the same time dissem- 

 inate instruction more generally throughout the province. 

 I have tlie honour to be, Sir, 



Your jnost obedient 



and very humble servant, 



W. Macrae, Coll. 

 Christopher Dunkin, Esq. 



(Pièce tirée des Archives du Canada, série Douanes.) 



Customs, Quebec, 



14th December, 1840. 



Sir, — In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 

 19th lilt., I would beg leave to state for the information of the Post 

 Office Commissioners, that by the Act of Parliament 3rd and 4th Wil- 

 liam 4th, Cap. 59, " An Act to regulate the trade of the British posses- 

 " sions abroad," " books " first composed or written or printed in the 

 " United Kingdom, and printed or reprinted in any other country, im- 

 '' ported for sale," are prohibited to be imported ; but that nevertheless, 

 books of that description, sold to subscribers, are to a considerable ex- 

 tent introduced into this province through the Post Office. 



I remain. Sir, 

 Your obedient servant, 



H. Je&sopp^ Coll. 

 To C. Dunkin, Esq., 



Secretary Post Office Commission, 



Montreal. 



