Showing 821 results

Place: [Red River Settlement]

From: Peter Garrioch

To: The Rev. Mr. J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement

Details: 4pp and integral address

Notes: Peter Garrioch credits Rev. James at the Middle Church with urging his congregation to remember their obligations to God for an abundant harvest. Garrioch took it upon himself to organize subscriptions of wheat from his neighbours to give to the missionaries.

Place: Church Missionary House, London [England]

From: Church Missionary Society

To: Revd. J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement, North West America

Details: 1pp

Notes: A list of goods ordered by Rev. Smithurst and shipped via the "Prince Rupert" ship under the command of Captain Herd, sailing for North West America. Items include a map, books, newspapers, and reports.

Place: Fort Snelling

From: E.G. Gear

To: The. Rev. J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement, British America

Details: 1pp and integral address face.

Notes: Rev. Gear just received Rev. Smithurst's package sent via Mr. Cook. He is especially happy to receive Church Missionary Society publications. He is also very sorry to hear about Rev. Smithurst's poor health. He has heard reports that cholera is making people sick in many U.S. ports, but it has yet to reach his community. The American President has called for a day of prayer because the epidemic is so bad. Rev. Gear heard that the Bishop of Rupert's Land has been consecrated.

Place: Lower Fort Garry

From: John Black

To: The Revd John Smithurst, Indian Settlement

Details: 1pp with integral address face.

Notes: John Black refers to paying a courier on William Badger's account. He is sorry to hear that William Thomas has died, but does not believe there will be a coroner's inquest.

Place: Partridge Crop

From: Abraham Cowley

To: Rev. Mr. Smithurst, Indian Settlement, Red River

Details: 2pp

Notes: Rev. Cowley writes that his wife and children arrived from Red River safely. He thanks Rev. Smithurst for sending reading materials. He is also glad to hear that Rev. Smithurst's congregation is treating him better. He expects to travel to Red River during the winter and asks that Rev. Smithurst set aside some peas and beans for him for the spring, as the black birds and frost have destroyed his.

Place: Ross Ville

From: W. Mason

To: Revd. John Smithurst, Indian Settlement

Details: 3pp

Notes: Reverend William Mason writes to his colleague, Rev. John Smithurst. Rev. Mason comments that since the freight boats came through, the local Natives have been excited about the possibility of free trade breaking the Hudson's Bay Company monopoly. Rev. Mason considers their feelings of discontent to be inconsiderate and he is angry that some members of his congregation tried to contact Bishop David Anderson with their grievances. Rev. Mason is "determined not to comply with any of their unreasonable requests for [he would] only be increasing the natural selfishness of their minds." On the matter of his printing press, they did not receive paper in the most recent shipment and therefore plan on spending the winter translating. His opinion is that the "Indian Characters" should be used to reach the adult population.

Place: Ross Ville

From: W. Mason

To: Revd. John Smithurst, Indian Settlement, Red River

Details: 3pp and cover envelope

Notes: Reverend William Mason writes to his colleague, Rev. John Smithurst. Rev. Mason believes that previous efforts that focused on giving to the Natives is destroying them, so instead he teaches the Natives to give labour and goods to the mission as part of their obligation to "send the Gospel to the Heathen." He asks for Rev. Smithurst's assistance in obtaining two dozen Common Prayer books which he then intends to sell to the Natives for a low price. In a lengthy postscript, Rev. Mason asks how Rev. Smithurst's book of vocabulary is proceeding, and says that they have a new edition of the Prayer Book ready to print, but are out of paper. The plan is to continue work on translating the New Testament over the winter.

Place: Norway House

From: Don Ross

To: Reverend J Smithurst, Indian Settlement, Red River

Details: 2pp and an envelope

Notes: A private letter written quickly by Donald Ross to Rev. John Smithurst. He vaguely refers to trouble involving Mr. Hunter, and also refuses to comment on an unidentified situation.

Place: Hudson's Bay House, London [England]

From: W.G. Smith

To: Revd John Smithurst, Red River Settlement

Details: 3pp and integral address face

Notes: Mr. Smith writes to Rev. Smithurst regarding financial matters. He comments that money is cheap due to the influx of gold from California.

Place: Hudson's Bay House, London [England]

From: W.G. Smith

To: Revd John Smithurst, Middleton, Wirksworth, Derbyshire [England]

Details: 2pp

Notes: In this letter, Mr. Smith writes to Rev. Smithurst to let him know that his packages have arrived in England and he will forward them by train.

A list with the heading "Subscriptions in Wheat, Barley or Peas, to be appropriated, exclusively, to the Rev. Mr Hunter's Station." Donations are promised by: Peter Garrioch, Henry Cook, William Gaddy, Robert Rowland, William Gibson, Peter Flett, Alexander Work, Sam Norn, James Slater, Henry Brown, James Taylor, William Taylor, Thomas Halcro Sr, Robert Miller, John Garrioch, and Samuel Cook.

Place: Red River Settlement

From: Henry Budd (Hudson's Bay Clerk and Missionary), Cedar Lake (on route to Grand Rapids)

To: Reverend John Smithurst

Details: 3pp

Notes: The letter from Henry Budd discusses the return of empty kegs for butter and lie soup, garden vegetables being grown thereby requesting vegetable seeds. Mrs. Budd's gift of gloves to be sent via Les Perance and Mr. Budd's watch is enclosed for repair.

Cedar Lake is located Northwest of Lake Winnipeg and the letter was carried down to Grand Rapids down Lake Winnipeg and then to Red River Indian Settlement. The Letter was most likely carried by Mission Boat that carried supplies as well as mail to Grand Rapids.

From: David Anderson, Red River

To: Rev. John Smithurst, Elora, Canada West

Details: 4pp

Place: Saltcoats, N.W.T.

From: Alf [Thomas A. Patrick]

To: Miss Marion Griffith, Byron, Middlesex, Ont[ario]

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 8 pp + envelope; note on envelope “No. 260”

Notes: In a letter to his fiance, Marion Griffith, Alf [Dr. T.A. Patrick] describes traveling across open prairie in winter to reach sick patients. Alf, Mr. Paulger, and Mr. Boake (liveryman) traveled more than eight hours to reach the ill Mrs. Paulger. Upon returning to Saltcoats, Alf found a telegram calling him to Kinbrae to treat the wife of Mr. William Rowland. After spending a mere six hours in Saltcoats, Alf and Mr. Boake set out at midnight to reach Mrs. Rowland. After more than seven hours they reached Churchbridge, where they rested their team of horses and ate breakfast. They finally reached Mrs. Rowland at 4 p.m. to find her suffering from typhoid fever. Returning to Saltcoats took less time as Mr. Rowland was able to set the men on a more direct route to Churchbridge. Alf chose to take the Friday freight train from Churchbridge back to Saltcoats. Along the way, the train stopped and waited as Alf treated the child of the section foreman at Bredenbury.

Much of the rest of the letter concerns financial matters, including an explanation of fines applied to wood cut illegally from government lands.

Writing at a later time, Alf acknowledges receiving Marion's letter in which she describes her grandfather's worsening health.

Writing a day later, Alf is in receipt of the mourning envelope containing news of Marion's grandfather's death. He expresses his condolences before approving of Marion's suggestion that she and her sister Annie begin their journey to Saltcoats on February 28. Alf then worries further about financial matters, "For I feel sorry that in asking you to marry me I ask you to marry a man whose future is mortgaged." But he looks forward to their marriage, writing, "Do not hope or expect any near approach to perfection in this future husband of yours, Marion. He has many faults but it can truthfully be said that he is always very much better when his Marion influences him."

Place: Regina, N.W.T.

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. T.A. Patrick, Yorkton, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 2 pp on North West Territories Legislative Assembly letterhead + envelope

Notes: T.A Patrick writes one of his frequent letters to his wife, stating how busy he has been in the last week due to the extra work created by his select committee on the Manitoba and North Western Railway. He was invited to a ball at the Governor's and bought a new pea jacket of good quality. He mentions sending 140 copies of the Regina Leader through the constituency (of Yorkton). Writes of needing to work on a Health Ordinance that night and his interview with the district engineer about public works the next day.

Place: Regina, N.W.T.

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. [Marion] Patrick, Yorkton

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 1 pp on North West Territories Legislative Assembly letterhead, watermarked, & an envelope

Notes: T.A. Patrick writes on of his frequent letters to his wife, Marion, from the Assembly informing her that he had just got his Manitoba and North Western Railway resolution passed. He ends stating"the Windsor Ball tonight."

Place: Regina [N.W.T.]

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. T.A. Patrick, Yorkton, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked Regina April 2.

Details: 1 pp on North West Territories lined letterhead, watermarked, & an envelope

Notes: Patrick writes while sitting in the Legislative chamber. He tells his wife, Marion, that he introduced the petition to incorporate Yorkton this day. He also reports that there is no election in the immediate future, as the present Legislature will live out its full term.

Place: Regina [N.W.T.]

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. T.A. Patrick, Yorkton, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 1 pp on North West Territories lined letterhead, watermarked, & an envelope

Notes: T.A. Patrick writes his wife a business letter, stating that he has enclosed within the letter:
"1. Dominion Express Co.'s order for $12

2. Authority for Mr. Patrick - that is Jack [T.A. Patrick's brother] - to make entry for Dominion Lands on behalf of Auton Georg Flegel
3. Auton George Flegel's answers to certain questions and declaration as to their truth
4. Edward Fitzgerald's letter to me of 3rd instant."

He then instructs his wife to cash the Express order and to give Jack $10 to go to the Land Office with the enclosed documents in order to "make entry for this land as soon as he can." Jack was to send the "interim homestead receipt to Mr. Fitzgerald."

Place: Regina [N.W.T.]

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. T.A. Patrick, Yorkton, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 1 pp on lined North West Territories letterhead & an envelope

Notes: T. A. Patrick informs his wife that he is enclosing information for his brother George regarding their Brome seed along with a cheque for $264.56. He then asks his wife to cash the cheque and give his brother $139.56, stating the "he and I will straighten out the matter on my return." He also asks his wife to pay part of this money onto accounts, particularly that of Barney Pallom.

Place: Regina [N.W.T.]

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. T.A. Patrick, Yorkton, N.W.T.

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 2 pp on paper watermarked with crown, crest, and “Antique Parchment Note Paper;” & an envelope

Notes: T.A. writes a very short letter to his wife. He apologizes for some difficulties that have arisen over a steer. He also writes that "happily bill passed last night" and that the House will wind up its business in a week.

Place: Regina [N.W.T.]

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. Marion G. Patrick, Devizes, Lucan, Middlesex Co., Ont[ario]

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 1pp on paper watermarked with crest and “Eamscliffe, Linen Bond;” and an envelope.

Notes: T.A. Patrick writes a very short letter to his wife while she is away in Ontario. He writes that he "spent most of the day in bed yesterday and part of today the same. At night Jack [his brother] and [Patrick] went to the Methodist Church with Jena Burke and Lily Christie." He updates Marion that "today eve have the debate on the address, but I shall only listen."

Place: Regina [N.W.T.]

From: Alf [T.A. Patrick]

To: Mrs. Marion G. Patrick, Byron, Middlesex Co., Ont[ario]

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 1 pp on lined North West Territories letterhead and envelope.

Notes: T.A. Patrick writes a letter to his wife, Marion, while she is away in Ontario. He writes that it is "more like January than November. The walk up to the buildings was very cold and uncomfortable and this Assembly Chamber is almost too cold to sit in. This is our first real cold snap, but November is half gone, and this is not in the banana belt." He tells Marion of his and Jack's [his brother's] visit to their friends the Hunters where Mrs. Rogers had stopped by to visit her sister. He explains that "Mr. Hunter has been in the Land Titles Office for some years but has resigned to open a law office in Regina. As Secretary of the Hospital he gets $250 per year and the same as Secretary of the Agricultural Society so he should be able to make enough to keep the pot boiling."

Place: Lethbridge, Alberta [district within N.W.T.]

From: T.A. Patrick

To: Mrs. Marion G. Patrick, Byron, Middlesex Co., Ont[ario]

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 2 pp on Hotel Lethbridge letterhead, watermarked with the pound note symbol (£) and the words “Extra Fine.” Envelope is printed with the words “Hotel Lethbridge, W. Henderson, Proprietor, Lethbridge, Alta., Canada” in black ink.

Notes: T.A. Patrick writes to his wife while he is in Alberta and she is away in Ontario stating, "I played over Sunday in Calgary and came here yesterday by way of MacLeod to see the country." He then advises his wife that she "had better spend Christmas with the folk," while he pays his "obligations to [his] constituency as soon as possible after [his] return." He writes that he lent his brother Jack "another $100.00 to square him up at Regina." He continues, "I presume you have received the last cheque I sent you, and you surely know that I am no judge of women's coats. I did not say petticoats. Whatever suits you will suit me though I certainly don't care much for imitations."

He finishes his letter writing, "my health is some better but not well yet. My love to the bairns the folk and your dear little self."

Place: Winnipeg

From: Alf [T.A. Patrick]

To: Mrs. Marion G. Patrick, Byron, Middlesex Co., Ont[ario]

Delivery: Canada Post, postmarked

Details: 2 pp on Hotel Leland letterhead. Envelope is printed with the words “Hotel Leland, Winnipeg” in black ink.

Notes: T.A. Patrick writes to his wife from Winnipeg while she is away in Ontario stating, "I arrived in Winnipeg yesterday, and Jack [his brother] arrived today having been detained by a banquet given in his honour at Regina on Saturday night. We both leave for Yorkton tomorrow." He continues, "yesterday I got your letter and was sorry to learn of your Aunt Lou's serious illness. I hope this may find her better. Yesterday I heard Rev. Marsh G. Pearse in the Afternoon." He changes the topic back to Jack: "Jack and I have been looking up office equipment for his new office in Yorkton. He will have the best equipped office in Yorkton both in respect of books and filing cabinets. Dick [another brother] and I are giving him the necessary financial backing. Am pleased he got such a pleasant send off and nice address from his Regina friends who included the Deputy Commissioner of Education and the Editor of the Leader and the Law students."

Patrick then changes the subject stating, "I think an other collar would not look well. It looks out of place on a small man, and in my opinion is a [sic] far more becoming to people who are above the average in size, but I am not a good judge. I hope you will get a jacket of the best quality." He then ends his letter with some brief news on a few of his patients.

Typed letter dated in Ottawa, March 12, 1889. It is a submission to the Honourable Minister providing documents for consideration in connection with the “liquor question” in the North West Territories. It is signed by Comptroller "F.H."

The memo outlines the documents attached:

• “Extract from the report of the Commissioner of the N.W. Mounted Police for 1888, as received at Ottawa with marginal notes showing the portions which have been printed and submitted to Parliament. / The attention of the Minister is particularly called to the paragraphs not printed.” (see 2011.002.002)
• “Extracts from the Annual Report of the Commissioner and other Officers as printed and submitted to Parliament.” (see 2011.002.003)
• “Copies of Police reports of inspection of Saloons at Calgary on 29th December and 9th January last, by which the Minister will see how impossible it is, under the existing permit system, to exercise efficient control over the sale of liquor.” (see 2011.002.004-006)

Two page mimeographed copy of a letter written to the Commissioner of the NWMP in Regina by J.H. McIllree Supt. Commanding “E” Division.
The letter contains extracts from a police report written by Corporal Walker. Corporal Walker conducted an inspection of Pullman Saloon which is “normally kept by J. McNeil” but is actually kept by a local man known as “Smithey” who is described as “the most notorious of the whiskey men in Calgary.” All kinds of whiskey and intoxicants were found on the property, covered by permits largely made out to “Smithey” under variations of his own name, the name of “a woman he keeps” and a bartender.
Sgd. McIllree claims his recommendation that permits not be issued to these individuals “has been over-ruled . . . by the personal exertions of the Judge of the Supreme Court and the members of the legislative assembly for this District.”

Two clippings from the Toronto Mail, “North-West Drinks” June 23, 1888 and “The Whiskey Trader” July 5, 1888. Both are stapled to a sheet of paper. Typed on the reverse in red ink “File D42, 1888: LIQUOR LAW N.W.T. – ARTICLE IN TORONTO MAIL by ‘G’ re.”

Both articles are written by someone identifying themselves as 'G' and are reprinted from the New York Evening Post.

“North-West Drinks. / How the Liquor Law Works on the Prairies. / Prohibition in the North-West Territories – Substitutes for Liquor – The North-West Mounted Police and Their Work – Hunting Whiskey Traders – A Bootless Chase.”
“ ‘G’ writes as follows to the New York Evening Post from Fort McLeod, N.W.T.:”

“The Whiskey Trader. / How He Pursues His Calling In the Territories. / Looked Upon as a Desperate Character – How He Looks at the Law – His Methods – A Capture and an Escape – A Race for Freedom.”
“The following is ‘G.’s’ second letter to the New York Evening Post from Fort MacLeod, N.W.T.:”