Place: Red River Settlement
From: The Bishop of Montreal
To: Reverend John Smithurst
Details: 3pp
Notes: The letter would have been likely carried to Toronto, Barrie, Penetanguishine and then along Lake Huron's and Superior's coastlines by the Winter Express which included dog team, snow shoe, and then overland to Winnipeg River, Lake Winnipeg, up to Red River to the Indian Settlement.
Bishop of MontrealPlace: Church Missionary Institution [Islington, London, England]
From: Enoch Reddall
To: The Rev’d J. Smithurst
Delivery: Forwarded by the Church Missionary Society to Red River Settlement via Hudson's Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 4 pp + separate address cover
Notes: Reddall discusses various missionary works including great success in New Zealand and a new missionary to the Teloogoo people in central India. Clergymen posted to Ceylon, Abyssinia, and Sierra Leone are also mentioned. Reddall notes that this letter is forwarded by Abraham Cowley on his way to Rupert’s Land.
In fact, Abraham Cowley and his wife Arabella crossed the Atlantic Ocean three times in nine months attempting to reach his missionary posting at Lake Manitoba. On 5 January 1841, less than a fortnight after their marriage, the young couple set out for Montreal on their way to the Red River Settlement in Rupert’s Land. This unusual route was taken in the belief that the Cowleys would be able to travel with Bishop George Jehoshaphat Mountain of Montreal who was planning a visitation of Rupert’s Land. The couple arrived in Montreal on 28 February, and Cowley was ordained a Deacon on 7 March. Bishop Mountain’s visit to the northwest was postponed, however, and the Cowleys, seeing no hope of reaching the Red River Settlement from Montreal, returned to England and took ship almost immediately for Hudson’s Bay. They arrived in Red River on 28 September 1841.
This letter was apparently delivered by Cowley to Smithurst upon his arrival in Red River.
Place: Lower Fort Garry
From: [Hudson’s Bay Company]
To: The Rev’d John Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Local courier (probably HBC courier)
Details: 2 pp (additional accounting in hand of Smithurst) + integral address face
Notes: Invoice for purchases made at Lower Fort Garry, listing goods such as tea, sugar, soap, buttons, plates, saltpetre, kettles, knives, shot, etc. In red, items are assigned as purchased by Henry Budd, or “C.M.S.” (Church Missionary Society). The second page is an additional accounting of items purchased by Smithurst in September, showing amount paid and amount charged to C.M.S.
Hudson's Bay CompanyPlace: York Factory
From: Ina Cowie
To: Revd John Smithurst, Red River
Details: 2pp with integral address
Notes: A letter of effusive thanks for Rev. Smithurst’s kindness in recommending Ina Cowie to the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) for employment. It seems Rev. Smithurst spoke with his friend Captain Herd on Cowie’s behalf. Cowie also mentions that he wishes to write to the Church Missionary Society to let them know of Rev. Smithurst’s thoughtfulness.
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: Grand Rapids [Red River Settlement]
From: William Cockran
To: Rev. J. Smithurst [Indian Settlement]
Delivery: Carried by courier
Details: 2pp + integral address face
Notes: Rev. Cockran writes to Rev. Smithurst to let him know that Rev. Abraham Cowley will be visiting him to discuss the details of opening a mission at Manitoba [Lake]. Rev. Cockran is anxious to establish a mission there, and mentions that Mr. Roberts is content to stay in Red River as a catechist.
Cockran, WilliamPlace: Sycamore Cottage [Derbyshire, England]
From: A. Alsop
To: The Rev'd John Smithurst, Church Missy House, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, London [England]
Details: 4pp with integral address
Notes: Anne Alsop sends much news from England, with unrest over the corn laws having led to a crowd in Derby burning an effigy of Sir Robert Peel. Since the last letter, Catherine Wasse was pregnant but lost the baby boy. Anne Alsop has not seen Rev. Smithurst's brother George for some time, but she believes one of his daughters got married. Mr. Nightingale (the father of Florence Nightingale, the famous nurse) is in the area collecting rents. The economy is doing quite poorly, and the Tories want to change the poor laws. Alsop herself is a Wigg, but her nephews are Tories. While in London, she saw great crowds gather during the election. She also attended twice daily sermons to hear Dr. Crow at St. Stevens Walbrook, by whom she is greatly impressed. (It is possible she is referring to Dr. Croly who was a rector at St. Stephens Walbrook in London during this period. He was a famous orator and novelist.)
Alsop, AnnePlace: Revier du Pas
From: Hy Budd
To: The Revd John Smithurst, Red River
Details: 3pp and integral address
Notes: Henry Budd writes to Rev. Smithurst with news. Mr. H. McKenzie arrived by boat and let Budd know that Rev. Smithurst arrived back in Red River safely, as well as bringing goods sent by Rev. Smithurst, including books, cloth, and tea. Budd discusses leather clothes for the Native children. Budd also mentions that he is "at a loss what to do with these children when they turn ill, having nothing of any kind to give them, but Salts." His brother-in-law, who was originally from Norway House, recently died after injuring himself with an axe and being unable to reach help.
Budd, HenryPlace: York Factory
From: "C.C." [Hudson's Bay Company agent]
To: Rev. James Evans
Details: 1pp
Notes: Postage charged to Wesleyan Missionaries including Rev. James Evans, Rob Rundle, Peter Jacobs, William Mason, Mr. Steinhauer, Thomas Hassal, and Josiah LHyrondelle.
Evans, JamesPlace: Sycamore Cottage [Derbyshire, England]
From: Anne Alsop and Catherine Wasse
To: The Rev’ J. Smithurst / Church Missionary House, Fleet Street, London
Delivery: Forwarded by the Church Missionary Society to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and thence by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 4pp (partly cross-written) + integral address face
Notes: Composite letter from friend and her aunt on family matters. Mentions annual visit of Mr. Nightingale (father of Florence Nightingale – John Smithurst’s first cousin) with details on their losses owing to a bank failure.
Alsop, AnnePlace: London [England]
From: [Lord] Chichester
To: The Rev’d J. Smithurst
Delivery: Forwarded by the Church Missionary Society to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and thence by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 3pp + integral address face
Notes: Lord Chichester writes a few hurried lines and mentions his preparation of a gift parcel that includes a few books, an educational book, and knives for Smithurst’s use in his missionary work. Lord Chichester further apologizes for the hurried packages and comments on the many things he would have liked to have included, had he the time.
Place: London [England]
From: Bot. of T&C Lockhart
To: Revd J. Smithurst
Details: 1pp
Notes: An invoice for numerous plants and seeds ordered by Rev. Smithurst including Early York cabbage, Tripoli onion, Long white radish, Yellow Dutch turnip, James keeping onion, Brown Dutch lettuce, other varieties.
Place: Red River Settlement
From: Mary Hodgson
To: Reverend John Smithurst
Details: 1pp
Notes: Mary Hodgson writes from Whitby to tell him of her recent marriage. The embossed letterhead was likely a wedding present.
The small-sized letter with a lack of seal indicates it was enclosed within a larger letter forwarded to the Church Missionary Society in London. The mail was carried by Hudson Bay Company's spring supply ship to York factory and from there the letter would travel by boat up the Nelson River, across Lake Winnipeg and then up the Red River to the Indian Settlement.
Hodgson, MaryPlace: Lachine near Montreal
From: James Keith
To: Reverend Smithurst, Red River Settlement
Details: 1pp and integral address
Notes: Discusses Rev. Smithurst's subscription to Church Weekly Paper, and his cancelled subscription to the Montreal Herald.
Keith, JamesPlace: St. Paul's Cray Kent
From: Daniel Aillud
To: The Revd John Smithurst, Indian Settlement, Red River, Hudsons Bay, Nth America
Details: 2pp
Notes: Daniel Aillud writes to Rev. Smithurst requesting a character reference so that he can leave his work as a sailor on the “Prince Rupert” for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He also discusses the death of his father, who died while he was at sea.
Place: Cumberland Station, River du Pas (sic)
From: Henry Budd
To: The Rev’d J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Delivery: Carried by courier
Details: 3.5pp + integral address face
Notes: A letter briefly outlining six enclosures originally included with the letter (but now lost), with instructions on processing certain accounts. Other issues include Charles Cook resigning, and John Turnor Junior taking his place (at a wage of ten (10) skins a month) to fish, cut, and haul firewood, square timber, and do other labour. Mr. Budd and his family are happy to hear that a minister has been assigned to their outpost, and while they anticipate meeting Reverend James Hunter, they are distressed that Smithurst himself cannot come to the settlement to baptize the Natives. The chief had also hoped to see Smithurst, and has now gone to Norway House in the [Hudson’s Bay] Company boats, probably to York Factory.
Budd, HenryPlace: unknown
From: James Bird
To: The Revd Smithurst
Details: 1pp
Notes: James Bird sends Rev. Smithurst “some additional sheets” of Mr. Joseph Howse’s manuscript for “A grammar to the Cree language.” Mr. Howse asks that Rev. Smithurst mention the work to the Church Missionary Society to help with circulation when the final book is published.
Place: Red River Settlement
From: John Hargrave (Hudson's Bay Company clerk factor)
To: Reverend John Smithurst
Details: 2pp
Notes: Hargrave, writing from York Factory, writes to Rev. Smithurst to let him that the articles Smithurst requested were delivered to the depot by Mr. Mowat. Hargrave also mentions that he would happily comply with Smithurst's request to supply all of the Church Missionary Society with whatever "gentleman and Mrs. Hunter" may need to be comfortable in the autumn months.
Hargrave, JohnPlace: York Factory
From: James Hargrave
To: Revd John Smithurst, &c. &c. &c., Red River Settlement
Details: 1pp and integral address face
Notes: James Hargrave, an HBC employee, responds to a letter from Rev. Smithurst delivered by Mr. Morvat. The letter dealt with receiving and sending articles by the ship “Prince Rupert.” Hargrave goes on to say that Rev. Hunter and his wife arrived from London, and have continued on to the Saskatchewan District [Cumberland - Devon mission] in a boat along with part of their baggage. The rest of their baggage will be sent to them in the Spring.
Place: Cumberland Station
From: Hy Budd
To: Revd J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Details: 3pp and integral address face
Notes: In his letter, Henry Budd apologizes profusely for his sins, while never quite explaining what sins he has committed. He refers to being the victim of baseless allegations from several girls who have been paid to accuse him. Budd tells Rev. Smithurst that he plans to leave the mission at Cumberland Station at the end of the year.
Budd, HenryPlace: Grand Rapids [Red River Settlement]
From: Wm Cockran
To: Rev. J. Smithurst, I[ndian] Settlement
Delivery: Carried by courier, possibly on account of Church Missionary Society
Details: 3.5pp + integral address face
Notes: Reverend William Cockran writes that the thaw has made the Red River very dangerous, interrupting travel. Cockran contacted Mr. McAllum [Reverend John Macallum, headmaster of the Red River Academy] and informed him that Smithurst was unlikely to make the trip to Grand Rapids as scheduled. He also relates that importers from the United States are refusing to pay an import fee. Cockran recounts how Mr. McAllum confronted one importer, Henry Cook, whom Smithurst has also had business with, and insisted on paying the import on a purchase of bonnets or Mr. Cook could take his contraband elsewhere.
Cockran, WilliamPlace: Middleton [Derbyshire, England]
From: William Buckley
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, Church Mission House / Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, London
Delivery: Forwarded by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 3pp + integral address face with postal marks
Notes: Letter from a friend with news from home.
Buckley, WilliamPlace: Church Mission House [London, England]
From: Church Missionary Society
To: Rev. J. Smithurst
Delivery: Forwarded by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 1pp + integral address face
Notes: An accounting of expenses and wages for 1844 and 1845.
Church Missionary SocietyPlace: Beaver Creek
From: James Settee
To: The Reverend Mr. J. Smithurst
Details: 1pp
Notes: A short document asking Rev. Smithurst to pay Edward Mackey 5 pounds Sterling out of James Settee's account.
Settee, JamesPlace: Cumberland Station, Rivière du Pas
From: James Hunter
To: The Revd J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement, Red River
Details: 3pp with integral address face
Notes: Reverend James Hunter writes to Rev. Smithurst. James Settee recently arrived at Cumberland Station [The Pas, MB] with his wife, family, and coincidentally with the carpenter hired by Rev. Hunter. He mentions Mr. Ross at Norway House. Rev. Hunter decided to keep the mission in its current location rather than move it to Cumberland Lake. He feels threatened by a Catholic missionary's activity in the area, referring to the man as "the Priest." This priest persuaded Wetus to convert to Roman Catholicism, but Rev. Hunter dismisses Wetus as “simply a Medicine man of which there are several here all equally as much claim to be considered Chiefs.” It is too late in the season for Settee to continue on to Rapid River [Lac la Ronge mission], so he will stay until the spring and assist Henry Budd and the carpenter in building Rev. Hunter a house. Rev. Hunter says he will “endeavour to manage Mrs. Settee as well as possible.”
Hunter, JamesPlace: Fort Frances
From: Nicol Finlayson
To: Revd Mr John Smithurst, Missy Ch. M. Society, Red River Settlement
Details: 1pp with integral address face
Notes: Nicol Finlayson writes to Rev. Smithurst that he sent along the requested maps, and he sends his best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Cockran.
Finlayson, NicolPlace: 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.
Budd, HenryPlace: Sawing tent [Cumberland Mission]
From: Hy Budd
To: Revd John Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Details: 3pp with integral address face
Notes: Henry Budd writes that Peter Erasmus is unable to provide the food to Budd that was promised, due to crop failure. Budd tried to have his account at York Factory transferred to the Red River Settlement, but the agents at York Factory will not cooperate and seem determined to have Budd spend the entire amount at their outpost. The fall fishing failed, and food at Cumberland Mission is scarce. Budd apologizes for his poor penmanship but the ink in his pen is freezing. He also relates that he has decided to continue his evangelical work, despite his earlier decision to quit.
Budd, HenryPlace: Lachine
From: Dun: Finlayson
To: Revd John Smithurst, Red River Settlement
Details: 3pp with integral address face
Notes: Duncan Finlayson writes to Rev. Smithurst with various news. Finlayson relates details of a recent trip, expresses concern that war with the United States is looming, reports that illness has forced Lord Metcalfe to return to England, and informs Rev. Smithurst that money has been set aside to provide a Bishop for Rupert's Land.
Finlayson, DuncanPlace: Matlock Bath [Derbyshire, England]
From: G.W. Saxton
To: Rev. J. Smithurst
Delivery: Likely enclosed with Anne Alsop's letter of February 7, 1846.
Details: 3pp with integral address face
Notes: George W. Saxton was the secretary of the Matlock Church Missionary Society and writes this letter to reach out to Rev. Smithurst whom he admires for his missionary work. He mentions the Arkwright family, the church at Cromford, and the generous financial donations of Mr. Beaumont which have covered various expenses of the Matlock Bath church. Mr. Saxton goes into great detail about the Matlock Bath church and future plans. He mentions that his parents are dead and that his widowed brother preaches at the parish of Sutton Coldfield in Warwickshire.
Saxton, G. W. (George Withers)Place: Cumberland Station
From: Charles Thomas
To: Revd John Smithurst, Indian Settlement
Details: 1pp and integral address face
Notes: Charles Thomas is one of the baptized Natives living at Cumberland Station. In this letter to Rev. Smithurst, Thomas mentions Rev. Hunter, making it possible to date this letter between 1846 and 1854.
Place: Matlock Bath [Derbyshire, England]
From: A. Alsop
To: Rev’d John Smithurst, Church Missionary House, London
Delivery: Forwarded by the Church Missionary Society to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and thence by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 3pp + integral address face
Notes: In her annual letter to Rev. Smithurst, Anne Alsop sends news, largely relating various marriages, births, and deaths in the community. She mentions that William Wass died and Catherine [presumably her niece, Catherine Wasse] is ill with grief. Mr. George Saxton plans on enclosing a letter of his own to Rev. Smithurst. The winter was surprisingly mild. Anne Alsop now lives in Matlock Bath and is dismayed over the tenant who now resides in her old home, Sycamore Cottage. She adds a postscript commenting on the widespread speculation occurring as railroads are being built across England.
Alsop, AnnePlace: 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: Red River Settlement
From: James Hargrave, York Factory
To: Reverend John Smithurst
Details: 2pp
Notes: A letter in which Hargrave writes about successfully arranging passage for another reverend and his wife to get to Red River. He also discusses the shipping of packages for Smithurst and Cowley that will be received by Mowat.
Mr. Hunter and Reverend Cockran are also mentioned.
At the end of the letter Hargrave thanks Smithurst for his package of cucumbers and melons.
Place: Cumberland Mission
Details: 2pp
Notes: Cumberland Mission list showing the accounts for making and packing bags and pemmican for Rev. Smithurst. Named individuals are: John Vincents, Thomas Logan, James Inkster, James MonKinun, William Bird, William Rob Smith, and Thomas Thomas.
Place: Matlock Bath [Derbyshire, England]
From: G. W. Saxton
To: The Revd John Smithurst, Indian Settlement, Red River, N.W. America
Details: 4pp including integral address face.
Notes: Saxton writes about the clergymen and parishes in the neighbourhood of Matlock Bath. Mr. Ward, his wife, and two sons have all died. The remaining sons are “very unsteady.” Saxton’s local Church Missionary Society group has been busy fundraising. Saxton recently purchased a copy of the Bishop of Montreal’s journal and found it very interesting. He finishes the letter saying he’ll leave news of the new railway for Miss Alsop to write about.
Saxton, G. W. (George Withers)Place: Hudson’s Bay House, London [England]
From: W.G. Smith
To: Rev’d John Smithurst, R.R.S. [Red River Settlement]
Delivery: Forwarded to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and thence by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 1pp + integral address face
Notes: William Gregory Smith, a secretary at the Hudson’s Bay Company London office, acknowledges receipt of Smithurst’s letter dated August 4, 1846 containing two bills to be paid and credited to Mr. Cockran, also that six cases belonging to Mr. Cockran have arrived safely and “have not been lost sight of.”
An addition to the letter reads: “Your letter of the 17th Nov’r forwarded by Winter Packet has just come to hand. Sir George Simpson leaves tomorrow with the Express. I have therefore only time to say that every exertion shall be used to meet your wishes.”
Smith, William GregoryPlace: Church Missionary House [Islington, London, England]
From: Richard Davies
To: Brother Smithurst
Delivery: Forwarded by the Church Missionary Society to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 3pp on one sheet of paper.
Notes: Davies, a colleague of Smithurst’s in England, offers his thoughts and prayers to Smithurst as a letter from William Cochran has informed him that cholera has been rampant in the Red River district. Davies relates that dysentery claimed one of his own brothers in September. Davies also expresses hope that Mr. and Mrs. James have reached the Red River area safely and that Mr. James is able to relieve Smithurst of “some of the heavy duties which must have weighed on your mind as well as tried your physical powers.”
Other comments: “In many parts of Ireland too a severe pestilence is at this time raging and carrying off hundreds who hitherto have been spared by the grievous famine which has prevailed there and in some places in Scotland.”
Place: Lachine
From: Dun: Finlayson
To: Revd Inv: Smithurst, Red River Settlement
Delivery: Carried by Hudson’s Bay Company canoe brigade to the Red River Settlement.
Details: 3pp + integral address.
Notes: A letter sent by Duncan Finlayson, Hudson’s Bay Company Director, to Reverend John Smithurst. The letter details issues related to supplies of wheat, and comments on the problems of receiving publications from England. Finlayson also mentions that Reverend William Cockran spent the winter in Toronto with his family. Rev. Cockran’s children had been ill and his son John died.
Finlayson, DuncanPlace: Red River Settlement
From: Anne Alsop, London
To: Reverend John Smithurst
Details: 4pp
Delivery: Sent to Missionary House, 14 Salisbury Sq., Fleet Street, London
Notes: The letter talks about the events, situations, and friends they know in England.
Alsop, AnnePlace: Church Missionary Society [London, England]
From: Church Missionary Society
To: Rev. J. Smithurst
Delivery: Forwarded by the Church Missionary Society to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: One (1) large sheet of paper + integral address face
Notes: An invoice, showing expenses and salary for the period May 31, 1846 to June 1, 1847.
Church Missionary SocietyPlace: Rivière du Pas, Cumberland Station
From: James Hunter
To: The Revd J. Smithurst, Indian Settlement, Red River
Details: 3pp and integral address face
Notes: Rev. Hunter is desperate for more flour. Rev. Hunter wants their fellow missionary, Rev. Cowley, to leave Partridge Crop and go to Lac la Ronge instead. He also received a letter from Rev. Cockran in Toronto. Rev. Hunter then offers a word of comfort to Rev. Smithurst who has been struggling spiritually recently.
Hunter, JamesPlace: Hudson’s Bay House, London [England]
From: W.G. Smith
To: Rev’d John Smithurst, RRS [Red River Settlement]
Delivery: Forwarded to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 1 pp (letter) + 2 pp (invoice) + integral address face
Notes: Hudson’s Bay Company secretary W.G. Smith mentions having received Smithurst’s letter of November 17, 1846 on April 16, 1847 and having written a brief acknowledgement that was included with the Spring Express. Smith appends an invoice for goods ordered (tea, gun powder, sugar, mustard, salt petre, soda, starch, pork, soap, etc.) and says these were shipped to Smithurst on board the “Westminster” via York Factory and Red River Settlement.
Smith, William GregoryPlace: Red River Settlement
From: James Hunter
To: Reverend John Smithurst
Details: 1pp
Notes: The letter includes a list of food items for Smithurst to provide, requested by Hunter for the next year.
Hunter, JamesPlace: [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: Hudson’s Bay House, London [England]
From: W.G. Smith
To: Rev’d J. Smithurst, RRS [Red River Settlement]
Delivery: Forwarded to Red River Settlement via Hudson’s Bay Company supply ship and canoe brigade, and then by courier to the Indian Settlement at Netley Creek
Details: 1 pp + integral address face with hand postal marking
Notes: Hudson’s Bay Company secretary W.G. Smith acknowledges Rev. Smithurst’s letter of November 23, 1847 which arrived by the Winter Packet. Smith apologizes and writes, “I regret to find that my worst fears, with regard to the loss and disappointment, likely to arise from the late arrival of the Westminster, have been fully realized.” Smith explains that, “[s]he had a most narrow escape and I believe that, had it not been for the 1st officer of the P[rince] Rupert, who was on board the Westminster when she was driven from her anchorage, both ship and cargo would have been lost.”
Smith goes on to say that Mr. Christie (at Red River) will refund Smithurst the overpayment made for the goods, caused by an accounting error.
Smith, William GregoryPlace: Red River Settlement
From: [?] Parnell
To: Reverend John Smithurst
Details: 1pp
Notes: The letter acknowledged receipt of money on several occasions and stated that the rate of interest of the money deposit is £2 percent per annum.
Parnell