Category: British Columbia History

Port Moody, B.C. 26 June 1881 Marcus Smith 3-page letter to his wife

Port Moody, B.C. 26 June 1881 Marcus Smith 3-page letter to his wife

Sold for $605, Port Moody, B.C. 26 June 1881 Marcus Smith 3-page letter to his wife
“The surveys are fairly commenced and I have been forced to do some very hard work- owing to the incompetency of the assistant Ailyn who has had very little experience and is naturally very dull & stupid- Gamsby is very little better. He has hitherto got on by always having good assistants but knows nothing himself- has no brains but for old woman’s gossip- has no instruments, never had any in his life nor does he care about the work- ..”

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Victoria, B.C. 9 June 1881 4-sided Marcus Smith Letter to his wife

Victoria, B.C. 9 June 1881 4-sided Marcus Smith Letter to his wife

“There will be a glorious out crop of this state of things- and in the muddle- no one will be responsible. ..Trutch I find is very unpopular – here as he is ostentatious and haughty, and considered as a spy, and a disturber instead of a peace maker between the Dominion and Provincial Govt. And will cause trouble to the former. This however is none of my business but I forsee that the time will come when he must cease to muddle with engineering matters-

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C.P.R. Manitoba District Engineer’s Office 7 Sep 1878 Marcus Smith letter “My dear wife..”

C.P.R. Manitoba District Engineer’s Office 7 Sep 1878 Marcus Smith letter “My dear wife..”

Realized $605 in our auction 10th July 2021, Marcus Smith 1878 to his wife “..any motive to act dishonestly or underhand in a great national question- he [Fleming] took the sneaking course of finding out what the Govt. wanted and acted accordingly- ignoring me altogether, and keeping me in the dark as to what he was reporting even up to the last moment both in regard to the work to be done and the assistants to be appointed &.c-..”

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Blackwater 45 Miles NW of Quesnelle 23 Sep 1875 Marcus Smith letter

Blackwater 45 Miles NW of Quesnelle 23 Sep 1875 Marcus Smith letter

Realized $526 in our auction Saturday 19th June 2021 Blackwater 45 miles N.W. of Quesnelle-Sept. 23rd,1875 “My Dear Wife…yourself and children would be far better in Victoria then anywhere in Canada and the climate is far superior- and living is always getting cheaper and so will all conveniences when the work commences as there will be a large influx of people of all condition..”

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C.P.R. Survey Western Division 7 Se 1875 Marcus Smith letter home

C.P.R. Survey Western Division 7 Se 1875 Marcus Smith letter home

CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY SURVEY.
Salmon House Dean River Sept 4th. 1875,
My dear wife, I have just walked from the head of the Dean channel, through the Cascade mountains to this point where horses have been sent to meet us- I am in excellent health. This last walk has done me as much good as that in the spring did me harm- The weather is fine and cool

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Roderick Finlayson Signature on piece

Roderick Finlayson Signature on piece

Roderick Finlayson was born in Scotland and came to Vancouver’s Island with the HBC. He worked under Charles Ross in the building of Fort Victoria in 1843–1844. By 1859 he was the HBC Chief Factor in Victoria.

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Matthew Baillie Begbie signature on piece

Matthew Baillie Begbie signature on piece

“Upon BC entering Confederation in 1871, Begbie became its first chief justice. He guided the judicial system of the province to an era of considerable sophistication, displaying characteristics unexpected of a Victorian judge: espousal of the rights of Chinese and native people; a lifelong interest in progressive law reforms and a tendency to take the side of the “little man.”

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Clinton, B.C. 14 Nov 1874 2.5pg Marcus Smith letter to his wife

Clinton, B.C. 14 Nov 1874 2.5pg Marcus Smith letter to his wife

I could get through easily and give a decided Report if I were Chief Engineer-but with Mr. Flemings perpetual alterations and non committals combined with the political forces in the back ground I expect to have a hard time of it- I have a good mind to give in my Report pure and simple and not submit to any alterations and let them suppress it altogether if they think fit…I am weary weary and long for rest. I have been travelling every day and many nights since I left you in May..So excuse my writing more, it is late and I am tired travelled 60 miles today in an open wagon- thermometer to zero.

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Kamloops, B.C. 30 Oc 1874 Marcus Smith letter to his wife

Kamloops, B.C. 30 Oc 1874 Marcus Smith letter to his wife

I got back from my long trip north and within the limits of civilization a few days ago and received a great pile of letters, among others, yours of sept. 25th (with Tom’s and Eloise’s likeness enclosed) in which you tell me you have got them both to school- I am glad Eloise went to Miss Dupont’s I think she will do well-

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