The William Pearce Fonds consists of records documenting the three phases of his professional life: federal surveyor and administrator (1874-1884); federal advisor for western development policy (1884-1904); and western consultant for the Canadian Pacific Railway (post-1904). Most of the records in the Pearce fonds were created in the region that was the focus of his career: the territory fomerly known as Rupert's Land and the North-West Territory, later to become the prairie provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. A small portion of the records document Pearce's activites during his retirment
Без названияDenis assures Pearce that the Board of Examiners of Surveyors will meet with quorum in Winnipeg to approve his bona fide surveyor's certification.
Без названияSteele thanks Pearce for his valued correspondence
Без названияMemorandum Pearce wrote concerning the progress and problems surveyors experienced in implementing the survey program of the Department of the Interior
Без названияHelen Unwin requests Pearce intervene with the NWMP for an unpaid bill.
Без названияMiss Unwin sends Pearce an unpaid bill Capt. Deane owes to the Ladies Work Reformatory for the purchase of 220 lbs. Of of marmalade.
Без названияSteele tells Pearce he is not in contact with Captain Deane and will therefore find it difficult to get payment to the Ladies Work Depository for the cost of marmalade purchased for the NorthWest Mounted Police detachment in Lethbridge, Alberta
Без названияPearce informs Miss Unwin that he has contatected Capt. Deane, concerning money he owes and assures her Capt. Deane will soon pay.
Без названияPearce writes to Steele requesting him to resolve the Ladies Work Depository's request for payment of bill for supplying 200lbs of marmalade to the NorthWest Mounted Police detachment in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Без названияPearce congratuates Steele on his appointment to cammond of the military forces in the Yukon an to becoming a Member of Council for the Distrct. Pearce also recommends his friend Billy Jones, soon to be in the region, for any support Steele can offer.
Без названияPearce sends Steele some news concerning inside politics at Ottawa.
Без названияSteele asks Pearce to determine if his application for the Red River Expedition Medal has been received and processed by Colonel Wainwright or Griffith.
Без названияSteele thanks Pearce for inquiring into the purchase of land in western Canada.
Без названияPearce sends Steele a letter telling him he tried to see him in his hotel in Ottawa but Steele did not appear to wish to see him.
Без названияSteele gives Pearce a general report on conditions in South Africa during the conflict between the British and the Boers. He mentions civilian prisoners, fighting, and farming in South Africa.
Без названияThree related notes on hotel letterhead documenting Pearce's efforts to meet with Steele during his time in Ottawa.
Без названияPearce sends Steele, Commanding "E" Dvision, of the South Africa Constabulary in Pretoria, a general review of Canadian politics, including harvest news and internal Department of Interior news.
Без названияPearce sends Steele a letter in South Africa giving him a general report of events in Canada includig the development of railways on the Prairies, crops and irrigation. Investment opportunities in natural resources are also mentinoed.
Без названияSteele gives Pearce an overview of his military activities in South Africa.
Без названияPearce sends Steele a letter in South Africa giving him a general report of events in Canada includig the development of railwasys on the Prairies, crops and irrigation, and sporting events
Без названияThe Toronto General Trusts Coroporation asks Pearce to give an estimated value to two properties in and near Calgary.
Без названияPearce sends Steele, who is commanding "E" Division of the South Africa Constabulary in South Africa, a general update of news in Canada. Topics include the Frank Slide, land speculation in western Canada, Pearce's desired superannuation, American immigration and the loyalty of British immigrants to the Crown.
Без названияPearces sends Steele a general report on news and events in Canada while Steele is commanding the "n" Division of the North Arfrican Constabulary. Topics include livestock brought from the U.S., immigrant Chinese labour, the Alaska Boundary Dispute, the Canadian labour market, and the health of the crops on the Prairies.
Без названияPearce sents Steele, still commanding "E" Division in Pretoria for the South African Constabulary, general information on events in western Canada. Topics include a harsh spring in Alberta, land speculation in Southern Alberta, and Pearce's desire for superannuation.
Без названияSteele describes to Pearce the trouble in South Africa finding labour to work in the mines. He writes that mineowners are considering contracting Asian labourers and asks for Pearce's impression of this solution in light of the Canadian labour experience.
Без названияPearce acknowledges receipt of a letter of introduction from Steele. An unidentified acquaintance of Steele's (most likely his nephew) attempted to visit Pearce in Calgary but he was not home.
Без названияPearce advises Steele on prospective land purchases in Alberta, particularly around Sounding Lake. He notes that they can together make wiser investments in the future.
Без названияSteele sends Pearce his general impression of the South African region he is working in. He gives his impressions of the natural environment, the wildlife, and the native peoples.
Без названияSteele sends Pearce his perspective on the state of British colonial acitivities in South Africa and Canada with a view to promoting British identity. He also discusses his desire to settle in western Canada.
Без названияSteele comments to Pearce on the prospects of settling in western Canada for himself and other military officers in the South African Constabulary.
Без названияSteele gives Pearce a general description of his experiences in South Africa. He includes brief comments on the Boers, colonialism, and the natural surroundings.
Без названияSteele makes inquiries concerning the seasonal state of farming in western Canada.
Без названияSteele asks Pearce many questions about his chances to return to western Canada and purchase a farm. He also informs Pearce on the conditions in Sourth Africa, the climate, and the quality of local labour.
Без названияPearce sends Steele, still serving as a commander in the South African Constabulary in Pretoria, general news and events in Canada. Topics include Pearce's aid in Steele purchasing a farm in Alberta, federal politics, and British-American relations.
Без названияPearce sends Steele a general update on events in Canada. Land speculation has receded and Pearce tells Steele he can help him acquire some land in Alberta. Other events commented on include the Chamberlain crusade on tariff reform and the Alaskan Boundary Dispute.
Без названияSteele asks Pearce to pick out and purchase a nice piece of land for him in western Canada. He wishes to settle down as a farmer when he returns to Canada. Steele also comments on the quality of the men serving in Southern Africa.
Без названияPearce sends Steele a general news letter. His topics include, the Alaskan Boudary decision, Asian immigration, potential war with Russia and Japan, and British politics.
Без названияSteele sends Pearce a general description of his life in South Africa as he serves in the "E" Division of the South African Constabulary.
Без названияIn pursuit of wriiting a history of the causes of the Second Riel Rebellion, Grogan writes to Pearce.
Без названияPearce sends Grogan personal observations on the Riel uprising help Grogan write his article. Also comments on the difficuly of locating his 1886 "half-breed" report.
Без названияPearce comments on his work for the Dominion Land Board, and scrip.
Без названияGrogan thanks Pearce for supplying information for his research into the North-West Rebellion. He also promises Pearce a copy of his article.
Без названияGrogan describes his unsuccessful effort to locate Pearce's report
Без названияPearce officially applies to the Department of the Interior for a copy of his "Half-Breed Report"
Без названияPearce requests a copy of his report on the "North-West Half-Breed Grant"
Без названияGrogan mails Pearce the first three chapters of his proposed book "The Real Riel Rebellion" and asks for Pearce's opinion.
Без названияPearce comments on Metis land claims.
Без названияKeyes only locates a few copies of the requested "half-breed" report in French and notifies Pearce.
Без названияPearce sends Grogan a copy of his report "The North-West Half-Breed Grant" in French.
Без названияKeyes writes Pearce that he cannot find any copies of his "Detailed Report upon All Claims to Land and Right to Participate in the Northwest Half-Breed Grant" in the Department of the Interior's records.
Без названияPearce tells D.S. Robertson he will send him his collection of photographs of the historic West, explains he procured them in Winnipeg before 1876.
Без названияPearce sends Robertson his historic photographs of the West and includes an inventory.
Без названияPearce sends Robertson a photograph of Poundmaker, Big Bear and Father Lacombe at the Manitoba Penitentiary.
Без названияRobertson thanks Pearce for sending his historic photograph collection, tells Pearce his father recognizes Pearce's photo of Riel because Riel placed his father in prison during the 1869 uprising.
Без названияD.S. Robertson inquires if he can acquire copies of Pearce's collection of photograph concerning Western Canadian history.
Без названияPearce acknowledges Robertson's father was emprisoned in Ft. Garry in the 1869 uprising, laments quality of Riel photograph.
Без названияJ. Ross Robertson thanks Pearce for sending his photographs, tells Pearce he cannot identify the photograph of Riel and his Council although Riel imprisoned him at Ft. Garry during the 1869 rebellion.
Без названияR.W. Brock sends Pearce two prints of Calgary taken by Dr. Dawson in 1881.
Без названияPearce asks Dowling of the Geological Survey for a copy of a photograph of Calgary taken by Dr. Dawson in 1881, explains his copy was lost when loaned to "one of the Calgary newspapers."
Без названияPearces writes to former colleague at the Department of the Interior for a copy of his 1886 North-West Half-Breed Grant report. Also provides brief summary of report.
Без названияPearce thanks Rothwell for his unsuccessful efforts in locating his 1886 Federal Half-Breed Reportq
Без названияPearce explains to Blue, Provincial Librarian of Alberta, that he took evidence of all settlements in Alberta where there were disputed lots, recommends the creation of an Alberta historical society to best deal with the distrbtution and preservation of such evidence.
Без названияRothwell explains he cannot find a copy of Pearce's 1886 report "The North-West Half- Breed Grant."
Без названияPearce asks the Minister of the Interior, Dr. Roche, for copies of his report "The North-West Half-Breed Grant."
Без названияRothwell explains why he cannot locate Pearce's report "The North-West Half-Breed Grant" in the Department of the Interior.
Без названияPearce thanks Roche for sending his Report "The North-West Half-Breed Grant" and asks for additional copies.
Без названияPearce sends his 1886 "North-West Half-Breed Grant" to Dr. Rutherford and comments on its validity.
Без названияRoche informs Pearce that he will receive copies of his report "The North-West Half-Breed Grant."
Без названияPearce denies connection between government land distribution policies and Indian rebellion. Pearce also encloses a copy of his 1886 report.
Без названияRoche sends Pearce four copies of his report "The North-West Half-Breed Grant."
Без названияPearce aks Rothwell to help him locate his report "The North-West Half-Breed Grant."
Без названияR. W. Macintyre asks Pearce for information on the Frank Slide, Pearce was sent to the disaster as a government representative. Pearce respondes with his first-hand acount of the Frank slide hours following its occurance.
Без названияBlack thanks Pearce for the requested article, promises to find time for the paper's presenation at the Chartered Accountant's Convenvtion in Banff.
Без названияBlack requests information on land division in the Western Prairie Provinces. Black intends to use the information in a 1917 address to the Association of Dominion Chartered Accountants.
Без названияPearce provides more detail about a paper he wrote for Black for the 1917 Association of Chartered Accountants meeting. He also comments on writing a Historical Manuscript documenting the development of the West.
Без названияBlack comments on the reception of Pearce's paper regarding the settlement of the West at a meeting of the Association of Dominion Chartered Accountants.
Без названияPearce asks Nanton for a critique of his paper on the Railway Land Grants given by the Dominion Government in the three Prairie Provinces. Pearce reflects on writing a Historical Manuscript.
Без названияPearce sends Dennis changes to his paper on "Land Matters in the West."
Без названияPearce aks Naismith to forward his paper "Titles to Land in Three Prairie Provinces" to Dr. Rutherford. He also aks Dr. Rutherford to critique the paper.
Без названияPearce reflects on Coleman's critique of his paper "Titles to Land in Three Prairie Provinces."
Без названияPearce thanks Godfrey for his comments on the paper he wrote for a meeting of The Association of Dominion Chartered Accountants.
Без названияSmith comments on the "Wild Land Tax Act." This Act direcly affected the Hudson's Bay Company.
Без названияPearce replies to Black's request for information on Land Division in the Western Prairie Provinces. Pearce ponders if he should write Historical Manuscript.
Без названияA rare book dealer in New York sends Coleman a copy of his "half-breed" report in French, and Coleman notifies Pearce. He also asks Pearce where he can locate an English copy.
Без названияGodfrey congradulates Pearce for the material he prepared for F.M. Black of the Public Utilities Commission of Alberta. On request of the Association of Dominion Chartered Accountants Black presented a talk concerning land policies in western Canada. Black requested Pearce write the paper for the presentation and Pearce obliged. The presentation was the seed for Pearce's historical narrative.
Без названияDennis acknowledges receipt of Pearce's paper, intended for the Dominion Association of Chartered Accountants, and notes its "extreme value."
Без названияPearce asks Nanton to forward his paper "Titles to Land in the Three Prairie Provinces" to H.H. Smith, former Commissioner of Dominion Lands and Pearce's superior.
Без названияPearce asks McCaig to comment on H.H. Smith's, former Commissioner of Dominion Lands and Pearce's superior, critique of Pearce's paper, "Titles to Land in the Three Prairie Provinces."
Без названияSmith thanks Pearce for a copy of his paper on western settlement and flatters Pearce that there is nothing left to say on the issue.
Без названияPearce offers his thoughts on the origins of the 1885 Rebellion and comments on his intention to write a "memorandum" on the causes of the Rebellion.
Без названияPearce asks Smith to provide him with a copy of the "Wild Land Tax Act." This act directly affected the Hudson's Bay Company.
Без названияBlack suggests that Pearce write a historical manuscript and requests Pearce to write a paper for the Association of Dominion Chartered Accountants.
Без названияPearce comments on a paper he wrote for Mr. Black, the Chairman of the Association of Dominion Chartered Accountants. Pearce also comments on the Department of the Interior.
Без названияPearce sends a draft of a paper he wrote for the Chartered Accountants to Coleman, and suggests that Coleman send it on to any interested parties. Pearce reflects on writing a Historical Manuscript.
Без названияColeman propses to send Pearce's "Land Matters" paper to various historical societies, and suggests that Pearce seek publication of it.
Без названияPearce asks H.H. Smith, former Commissioner of Dominion Lands and Pearce's superior, to critique of his paper "Titles to Land in the Three Prairie Provinces. "
Без названия