Career
He represented Placentia and Saint Mary"s in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1848 to 1852 and from 1855 to 1860 as a Liberal. Delaney was door-keeper for the House of Assembly from 1835 to 1843. In 1852, he was named keeper of the House of Assembly and, in 1853, surveyor of roads.
He played an active role in the passing of the Postal Acting in 1851.
Delaney was defeated when he ran for reelection in 1852. In 1860, he was named postmaster general.
Delaney improved mail service in Newfoundland, introducing delivery to all parts of the island and door-to-door delivery in Saint John"son He also established six weather stations manned by volunteers to record weather data to the Meteorological Office of Canada.
In 1873, he was named a fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society.
Delaney died in Saint John"s in 1883.