A yellow envelope with the Hudson’s Bay Company logo printed in colour on the back. Below this, the words 'Winnipeg' and 'Manitoba' are printed, followed by a colour printing of the Hudson’s Bay Company flag.
Place: Hudsons Bay House, London [England]
From: John Smith
To: The Revd John Smithurst, Church Missionary House, Salisbury Square [London, England]
Details: 1pp
Notes: This letter confirms a previous conversation between John Smith of Hudson's Bay House in London and Reverend John Smithurst. Rev. Smithurst is awarded the position of chaplain to the Hudson's Bay Company at Red River in Rupert's Land. He is granted passage from London to Fort Garry [modern-day Winnipeg].
Place: [Grand Rapids?]
From: Wm Cockran
To: Rev. J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Details: 3pp with integral address
Notes: Reverend William Cockran writes to Rev. Smithurst regarding Rev. Cowley and his wife Mrs. Cowley, who have lodged with Rev. Cockran since they arrived in Rupert’s Land the previous autumn. Rev. Cockran describes the Cowleys as being ungracious guests who do not understand the expense of living in the Red River Settlement. Rev. Cockran also writes that he has severed ties to the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Church Missionary Society but will continue as if he will “continue here for life.” He finishes the letter by discussing the flour he is sending to Henry Budd at the Cumberland House Mission. He mentions that James Sandison and Henry Bird are assisting him.
Cockran, WilliamPlace: Lower Fort [Garry]
From: Alex[ander] Christie Jr.
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Carried by courier
Details: 2pp + integral address face
Notes: Christie discusses the shipment of goods that were deficient in the last shipment. He informs Smithurst that there is no flannel to be had, nor jackets of any description.
Christie, Alexander JrPlace: [Lower Fort Garry]
From: Alex[ander] Christie Jr.
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Carried by courier
Details: 1 pp + integral address face
Notes: Christie thanks Smithurst for the gift of pigeons, and sends 495 lbs. of beef, crediting Smithurst’s account. While the note is undated, Christie was posted to Red River in 1847 and was transferred to Edmonton some time in 1848.
Christie, Alexander JrPlace: Lower Fort Garry
From: John Black
To: Revd John Smithurst
Details: 2pp and integral address face.
Notes: John Black writes to Rev. Smithurst that he is sending along the requested nails by the bearer of this letter. Also, the flooding experienced the previous week resulted in 4 feet of water in the office, and significant ice damage to the distillery.
Black, JohnPlace: Lower Fort Garry
From: W. Lane
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Local courier (probably Hudson’s Bay Company courier)
Details: 1pp + integral address face
Notes: A short letter by William Douglas Lane, Postmaster at Lower Fort Garry, noting that he is sending copies of Smithurst’s accounts. The reverse of the letter is covered with columns of numbers, lists, and calculations.
Lane, William DouglasPlace: [Lower Fort Garry]
From: W[illiam Douglas] Lane
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Local courier (probably Hudson’s Bay Company courier)
Details: 2pp + integral address face
Notes: A short letter from William Douglas Lane, Postmaster at Lower Fort Garry, noting that the 10 lbs of nails that Rev. Smithurst requested are being sent, and fresh beef will be available shortly. Lane also thanks Smithurst for recovering some goods stolen [from Lower Fort Garry] by young Flett, while expressing his suspicion that William Tait put the boy up to it, but Lane intends to “do all in my power to get the young scamp punished.”
Lane, William DouglasPlace: Lower Fort Garry
From: W. Lane
To: Revd Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Details: 1pp and integral address face
Notes: List of payments made on behalf of Rev. Smithurst to Charles Cook, Geo Beardy, James Smith, John Kirkness, and William Bird.
Lane, William DouglasPlace: Lower Fort Garry
From: W[illiam Douglas] Lane
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Local courier (probably Hudson’s Bay Company courier)
Details: 1pp + integral address face
Notes: A short letter by William Douglas Lane, Postmaster at Lower Fort Garry, discussing the payment of bills, refunding of money, and receipt of a flute.
Lane, William Douglas