Proceedings : Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario - 1930

On spine : The Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario.

James Monroe letter of marque, ca. 1812

James Monroe (1758-1831) was appointed Secretary of State by President James Madison in 1811. He remained in this position until March, 1817, with the exception of the period from October 1, 1814, to February 28, 1815, when he was ad interim Secretary of State. Monroe encouraged President James Madison and Congress to declare war on Great Britain, feeling it would be the most effective way to change offensive British policies. The United States declared war on June 17, 1812, after which he served as Secretary of War. Monroe later became President of the United States from 1817 until 1824.

James Monroe letter of marque, ca. 1812

A letter of marque addressed to Captain James Rogers, commander of the boat Retaliation, and signed by James Monroe, secretary of state. Letters of marquee provided legal authority for an armed vessel to capture enemy ships and commit acts which would otherwise constitute piracy. The letter has no date, but was likely created during the War of 1812, and authorizes the Captain to attack and capture enemy vessels.

Receipt from James D. Tait of St. Catharines for fabrics and trims

Receipt from James D. Tait of St. Catharines for fabrics and trims, Aug. 24, 1886.

Receipt from James D. Tait of St. Catharines for curtain and drapery materials

Receipt from James D. Tait of St. Catharines for curtain and drapery materials, Sept. 21, 1886.

Certificate awarded to Lieutenant Colonel, the Honourable James George Currie of the 19th Lincoln Battalion of Canada from the ladies of the County of Lincoln

Certificate measuring 36 cm. x 47 cm. awarded to Lieutenant Colonel, the Honourable James George Currie of the 19th Lincoln Battalion of Canada from the ladies of the County of Lincoln to honour surviving veterans of the War of 1812. The calligraphy on the award was done by J. Matthews of St. Catharines who was listed in the 1877 St. Catharines Directory as an illuminator (medieval writing) and accountant. The award is signed by Elizabeth Carlisle on behalf of the ladies, Oct. 13, 1876.

Letter to Messrs. Summer and Nelles of Grimsbyy from Thomas Street and Mr. Hamilton

Letter to Messrs. Summer and Nelles of Grimsby from Thomas Street and Mr. Hamilton in which they state that W.S. Britton has purchased the Grimsby Mills that belonged to W. James Paterson, Jan. 17, 1848.

Henry Hope & Sons of Canada Ltd. Letter, 1916

Henry Hope & Sons of Canada Ltd. were located at 45 King Street West, Toronto, Ont. at the writing of this letter in 1916. The company specialized in “weathertight casements in iron steel or gun-metal, unbreakable steel windows, fanlight opening-gear, leaded lights and stained glass, patent glass roofing, locks and door furniture, rainwater goods in cast lead and cast iron”. The letter is addressed to Mr. H.Y. [Harry Young] Grant, c/o Fenwick Farm, Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls, Ont. from R.W. Smith. The letter is in reply to a query about casement windows. Harry Young Grant (1860-1934), son of Sir James Alexander Grant and Maria Malloch of Ottawa, Ont. was a medical doctor specializing in the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat. After his retirement he became a member of the Niagara Parks Commission. He was married to Grace A. Smith, daughter of James R. Smith of Buffalo.

Naval Occurrences of the Late War Between Great Britain and the United States of America- 1817

Full title is "A Full and Correct Account of the Chief Naval Occurrences of the Late War Between Great Britain and the United States of America; preceded by a Cursory Examination of the American Accounts of their Naval Actions Fought Previous to that Period: to Which is Added an Appendix; with Plates" This is an expanded version of author William James' pamphlet "An Inquiry into the Merits of the Principal Naval Actions between Great Britain and the United States." (Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1816) In this work he discussed how American ships, during the War of 1812, were larger and more heavily armed and manned than those of the British. He therefore, stated that American victories were due only to their greater numerical force and not their superior seamanship. Naval Occurrences is a thorough documentation of the naval operations from the British perspective that addresses contradictions and inconsistencies within the American official documents as well as political and media accounts. This is perhaps his motivation for the words "Corrected Account" within the title. James' sentiments towards the US most likely sprouted from being held prisoner while visiting in 1812. (He was falsely accused of being a renegade seeking revenge on the US.) In 1813, he escaped to Halifax where he began writing on various naval topics. James became one of the leading authorities on British Naval History.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 12 September 1917

The letter begins describes the sadness of Eleanore Celeste after saying goodbye to Arthur. The second part of the letter discusses bank accounts, bills paid, and the budget for the month of December. She also mentions the possibility of a trip to Shelter Bay in the month of December.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 10 August

The letter discusses that this is to be the day that Arthur will be told of his commissions.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 3 January 1920

The letter describes pictures Eleanore Celeste had received from Arthur. The second part of the letter discusses a trip to the Metropolitan to see three one act Italian operas. The singers mentioned are Farrar and Amato. She also discusses a fur coat that Arthur is planning to buy for her as a gift. The letter is labelled number 90.

Letter to Henry Nelles from James Ingersoll.

Letter to Henry Nelles from James Ingersoll. Most of the writing is illegible, but he does mention turning a poor man off the premises without paying him. There is a note at the end of this letter (in different handwriting) to write to John Willson to provide an honest Scotch [Scottish] girl for Andrew Muir, about 9 or 10 years old(1 double-sided page, handwritten), April 1832.

Appointment of John B. Parkynn [Parkin] (J.P. Bradley’s brother) to be an Ensign of the 1st Company of the Royal Quebec Volunteers

Appointment of John B. Parkynn [Parkin] (J.P. Bradley’s brother) to be an Ensign of the 1st Company of the Royal Quebec Volunteers. This is signed by the Governor General, the Earl of Gosford and Governor General, Secretary J. Walcott, Nov. 27, 1837.