Letter - John Ralston Saul to Donald Ziraldo, 2002

A letter from His Excellency John Ralston Saul 2 May, 2002. He comments on the efforts made by Mr. Ziraldo to protect the agricultural land of Niagara. He also discusses the role of Canadian wine in the international market and tourism in the area.

Letter - Landon Pearson to Donald Ziraldo, 1998

A letter from Landon Pearson, Senator for Ontario and son in law of Lester B. Pearson, congratulating Mr. Ziraldo on his investiture as a Member into the Order of Canada.

Letter- Michael H. Wilson to Donald Ziraldo, 1993

A letter from Michael H. Wilson, Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister of International Trade, dated 7 May, 1993. He discusses the achievements of Inniskillin in the "Vinitaly" wine exhibition. Wilson also remarks on the great accomplishments of Mr. Ziraldo as chairman of the Ontario Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA).

Letter - Donald Ziraldo to Jacques Marie, 1988

A letter from the chairman of the VQA, Donald Ziraldo, to Jacques Marie, a professor at George Brown College. The letter is dated 9 December 1988 and requests Marie as a Board Member for the newly formed VQA. The first meeting is scheduled for 19 December, 1988.

Letter - Sergio Marchi to Donald Ziraldo, 1999

A letter from the Honourable Sergio Marchi, Minister for International Trade to Donald Ziraldo to discuss the status of the EU Commission and wine issues. He commits to "opening markets for Canadian wine exports to the European Union". The letter is dated 23 April, 1999.

Letter - Michael D. Harris to Donald Ziraldo, 2000

A letter from Premier Mike Harris to Donald Ziraldo 15 June, 2000. The correspondence discusses the possibility of agricultural preserve in Niagara.

Letter - Premier Dalton McGuinty to Donald Ziraldo, 2004

A letter from Premier Dalton McGuinty responding to a letter from Donald Ziraldo, concerning the agricultural preserve in Niagara. The letter is dated May 14, 2004.

Letter - Donald Ziraldo to Bob Welch, 1974

A letter from Donald Ziraldo to Bob Welch (M.P.P. for Lincoln) discussing the permit attained from the LCBO to produce wine. The letter is dated 9 September 1974.

Letter - Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau to Donald Ziraldo

A letter from Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau to Donald Ziraldo, dated 19 December, 1983. Trudeau had visited the Inniskillin winery the same year and remarks on the conversation they shared. Also a thank you note for a bottle of wine from Ziraldo for the holidays.

Letter - Julia Child to Donald Ziraldo, 1991

A letter from Julia Child to Donald Ziraldo dated 11 April 1991. Child thanks Ziraldo for making her trip to Toronto "pleasant".

Letter - Johnny Lombardi to Donald Ziraldo, 2000

A letter from President and CEO of CHIN radio and television, Johnny Lombardi. Mr. Lombardi thanks Mr. Ziraldo for his "good wishes" as he celebrated his 84th birthday. Lombardi also mentions the CHIN Winter Picnic to happen soon in Acapulco. There is a handwritten note at the bottom that appears to be written in Italian.

Letter - Premier Ernie Eves to Donald Ziraldo

A letter from Premier Ernie Eves to Donald Ziraldo, 13 September 2002. Premier Eves congratulates Mr. Ziraldo for recently receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for Food and Beverage Excellence at the Sixth Annual New World of Food and Wine Festival.

Letter written by Mahlon Taylor to Samuel Clarke commenting on US troops during Fort George occupation, July 26, 1813

Fort George, situated on the west side of the Niagara River in Niagara-on-the-Lake, served as the headquarters for the Centre Division of the British Army during the War of 1812. On May 25, 1813, the Americans launched an artillery attack on the Fort, destroying most of the buildings. Two days later, the Americans invaded the Town of Niagara and occupied Fort George. They remained in the Fort for almost seven months, but suffered defeats at the Battle of Stoney Creek and Beaver Dams. Only a small number of militia remained stationed at the Fort. Fearing an attack by the British, the Americans retreated back across the Niagara River in December, 1813. The Fort remained in British possession for the rest of the War.

Laura Dexter letter, commenting on the McLeod murder trial, October 5, 1841

Alexander McLeod was Deputy Sheriff of the Niagara District during the Rebellion of 1837-38 in Upper Canada. On December 24, 1837, he became aware of a scheme by the rebels to use the American steamboat Caroline to provide supplies to William Lyon Mackenzie and his followers on Navy Island in the Niagara River. McLeod notified the authorities in Upper Canada about the situation. A few days later, on December 29, Commodore Andrew Drew led a band of men, including McLeod, to the American side, where the Caroline was moored at Schlosser’s Wharf. A scuffle ensued, in which American Amos Durfee was killed. The Caroline was then released from its moorings, set on fire, and drifted downstream before sinking. Many Americans viewed the incident as a violation of their sovereignty. Tensions between the United States and England were already strained over a boundary dispute between Maine and New Brunswick, and the situation with the Caroline further escalated the tension. McLeod was subsequently arrested in November, 1840 in Lewiston, NY and indicted for arson and murder. The British foreign secretary, Lord Palmerston, insisted that McLeod be released and could not be held personally responsible for the incident, as he was acting on orders from authorities in Canada. Eventually, McLeod was acquitted.

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.