- Pedro da Silva
Pedro da Silva (
Lisbon , 1647 -Canada , 17..?) was the first postcourier in New France, in what was to become part ofCanada , he was Portuguese born and was know as "Le Portugais" (French for "The Portuguese").Pedro da Silva is known to have arrived in New France prior to 1673, having worked there as a common courier. Later on he is known to have relocated to Sault-au-Matelot (Québec City's lower town) and involved himself in the shipping of goods in the colony (by boat and cart). There is proof that in July 1693, Silva was paid 20 sols to take a package of letters from
Montréal to Québec City. In 1705, he was commissioned by the (co)-Intendant of New France ,Jacques Raudot , as the "first courier" in New France.tamp
Canada Post issued a stamp (48¢) on June 2003 honouring Pedro da Silva.ee also
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Postage stamps and postal history of Canada
*Portuguese Canadians External links
* [http://www.canadapost.ca/corporate/about/newsroom/pr/archive-e.asp?prid=856 Celebrating Portuguese heritage and Canada's first letter carrier (May 29, 2003), in Canada Post] .
* [http://dn.sapo.pt/2007/11/10/sociedade/o_primeiro_carteiro_canada_portugues.html O primeiro carteiro do Canadá era português (November 10, 2007)] inDiário de Notícias (Portuguese).
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