1110111P1 PUBLIC ARCHIVES OF CANADA ARCHIVES PUBLIQUES DU CANADA MANUSCRIPT DIVISION DIVISION DES MANUSCRITS MACDONALD, John Sandfield MG 24 B 30 Finding Aid 428 / Instrument de recherche 428 Prepared by staff of the Preparé par des membres de la Pre-Confederation Section. section des Archives antérieures Revised in 1977 by à la confédération. Michèle Corbett Révisé en 1977 par Michèle Corbett TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages General Introduction ...................................... i General Description of the Macdonald Papers ............... ii Volume List ............................................... iii Description of volumes 1 and 2 with introductory notes ............................................... 1-14 Notes on the John Sandfield Macdonald papers to be found in the John A. Macdonald papers ............ 15-17 List of items in volume 4 ................................. 18 List of documents transferred to the Public Archives Library ....................................... ...19 Author Index to volumes 1, 2 and 6 ........................ 20-71 1 General Introduction Finding aid no. 428 comprises rough calendars and notes on the John Sandfield Macdonald papers together with an author index to volumes 1, 2 and 6 giving the date, subject and page reference. Also included is an outline of the John Sandfield Macdonald correspondence which is available in the John A. Macdonald papers (MG 26, A). Please note that volume 3, John S. Macdonald's journal and volume 5, chiefly newspaper clippings, have not been described in this finding aid. .40 . General Description of the Macdonald Papers MG 24 MACDONALD, John Sandfield (1812-1872). Politician. B 30 Originals, 1831-1926. 25 cm. Photocopies, 1862-1871. 21 pages John Sandfield Macdonald (1812-1872) was Premier of the Province of Canada, 1862-1864; and Premier of Ontario, 1867-1871. He sat as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Canada, 1841-1867. Except as otherwise noted these papers were presented to the Archives in 1935 by the family of Joséphine Langlois. Personal and political correspondence, 1831-1922 (Originals, 22 cm; volumes 1 and 2; Photocopies, 21 pages, volume 6.) The correspondence is largely of the period 1850-1856. Volume 6 contains a variety of letters from several sources, as noted below: Letters from John A. Macdonald, ca. 1862 and 1871; Lord Monck and H.-G. Joly, 1862; A.-A. Dorion, 1864 and Edward Blake, 1871 (photocopies, 11 pages). Copies presented by Mrs. Thomas Caldwell of Toronto. Letter from Col. George T. Denison, 1863 (Original, 8 pages). Presented in 1963 by Col. E.L. Coldwell of St. John, Quebec. Two letters of John A. Macdonald, 1870 (photocopies, 6 pages). Presented in 1964 by Miss Mary C. McDougall of Toronto Letter of John N. McIntosh, 1862, and an unsigned fragment of a letter, 1868 (photocopies, 4 pages). Copied in 1969 from the originals in possession of Dr. Gustave Lanctot of Kirk's Ferry, Quebec. Also available in transcripts. Journal, 1837 (Originals, 26 pages; volume 3). J. Sandfield Macdonald kept the journal 7 September - 30 October during a trip from Cornwall to Washington and return. A photocopy and offprint are also available. The journal was edited and printed by George W. Spragge in Ontario History, vol. XLVII (1954) no. 1 Miscellaneous papers, 1842-1871 (Originals, 80 pages, volume 4). Included are a copy of J.S. Macdonald's speech to the Ontario Parliament, "Resignation of the Ministry", 19 December 1871; wills, personal items and family genealogy. Newspaper Clippings, 1836-1926 (Originals, 2.5 cm; volume 5). Included are obituary notices, accounts of testimonial dinners and political speeches. lfrifi4- in Volume List Volume Contents Pages 1 Correspondence, 1831-1853 1-648 2 Correspondence, 1854-1922 649-2504 3-6 Vol. 3: Journal, 1837 Vol. 4: Miscellaneous Papers, 1842-1864 Vol. 5: Newspaper clippings, 1838-1926 Vol. 6: Correspondence, 1867-1871 985 A-B, 1009 A-D, 1015 A-H, 1047 2418 A 2431 A-B John Sandfield Macdonald Papers Description of Volumes 1 and 2 1 . Introductory note . The following pages comprise a rough description of the John Sandfield Macdonald papers . With a few exceptions they consist of letters written to Macdonald 1850-56, with a few of no great significance 1864-8, as well as a few undated and of little consequence . During the period 1850-56 the chief correspondents were John Walker, A .M. Mackenzie and D .E . McIntyre . Walker and Mackenzie were in charge of Macdonald's private and business interest s in Cornwall . McIntyre was sheriff and appears to have been on intimate terms with J .S . Macdonald . Walker's letters are almost entirely devoted to business but a few observations on local feeling have been noted where they occur . He appears to have begun to drink heavily towards the end of 185 2 and his letters practically cea-se . Mackenzie is an entirely different type of correspondent and between reports as to getting in the hay and latest detail upo n some law suit, one gets a vivid report of local feeling upon political issues, as seen through the eyes of a Scotch Presbyterian, violen t in his anti-French, anti-Catholic opinions . The whole difficulties implied in the union of Upper Canada and Lower Canada are manifested in this man's reaction to the question of the Clergy Reserves and Ecclesiastical corporations, the University bill, secularization and the general question of education . Some material of interest is found in letters from June 1854-56 in which he makes continued complain t of the disorganized condition of the postal service . When J .S . Macdonald took up the question Mackenzie continued to ply him with detail . McIntyre's letters show a keen interest in political matters . McIntyre stood for "equal rights" and was anxious that every question should be judged from that standpoint . Political personalities came in for some drubbing, Francis Hincks and George Brown suffered most . Brown's attitude caused considerable religious agitation between Presbyterians and Roman Catholic elements . Hincks' frequent combinations were looked upon asdishonesty by the more uncomprising and simple minded partisans of J .S . Macdonald . Throughout one gets a picture of the virtual impossibility of a successful solution of the problems which caused such feverish agitation, due to prejudice against Lower Canada - partly racial and partly religious . 1850-51 Letters from John Walker Business letters June 6, Feb . 2, Feb . 5, Feb . 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, Feb . 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 22, 23, 24 . lehe In letter of Feb. 19, Walker notes that the first of the Constitutionalist is about to appear Thursday. Gossip about editor drinking. Mackenzie makes it a point every evening of taking a peep through the windows of the Constitutionalist merely to see what is going on. (pages 138-140) Feb. 23. Constitutionalist has been issued. Has 2 articles against the Government. (pages 148-149) T.H. Corbett, Kingston 25 February 1850 charge brought against him for advertising in Argus, which was devoted to annexation. Denies truth of this. (pages 158-160) March 29, 1850. Walker in business letter has few words of unfavourable comment on proceedings of convocation of University. (pages 179-180) John Walker, business letters March 30, April 2, 1850. (pages 181-184) P. Macdonell, Cornwall, March 29, 1850, respecting editor and conduct of Freeholder. Opposition to Clear Grits. (pages 177-178) John Walker business letters April 8, 1850. One case involves clergy reserves. (pages 187-188) Other business letters May 28; june 1, 3,_March.12, 13, 14, 18. George Macdonald, Cornwall June 6, 1850 (?) Clauses 21 and Smith's reform bill are subversive. The Globe in great demand- scores Boulton's Elective Council resolutions -- comments on personalities -- fears law reforms may "set up a number of little tyrants in country. (pages 202-206) John Walker, business letters June 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, Aug. 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 12. Several business letters. D.E. McIntyre, Williamstown, June 8, 1851. Personal comments on the talk of "papal agression. The Globe is doing harm, but it is best not to go about abusing it-- let it have its fling" I cannot for life of me conceive what is to be gained by agitating the unfortunate question among the simple and naturally good natured country men." (pages 284-287) A.M. Mackenzie. June 13, 1851, discusses excitement over the "papal agression" discussions. (pages 301-304) D. McLennan, Cornwall, June 14, 1851, reports local feeling and fears that Cornwall "this rotten hole is lost at the coming election. The religious feeling is gaining every day." (pages 305-306) 3 A .M . Mackenzie . June 16, 1851 has further comment on religiou s situation . (pages 309-311) "June 19 . "In reply to youisof 17th . I have to say that I am not aware that a single protestant Reformer has ever entered on a discussion of Papal question with R .C . and all the excitement which has existed here, but which, I think is now completely suppressed, was brought about by RCS .--l' elaborates on thi s statement with great anxiety to acquit himself of blame . (pages 318-321) (pages 318-321) D .E . McIntyre July .1, Approves of Macdonald's course on resignation of Baldwin who had deserved better treatment from Tories-- gives some observation of Court of Chancery . Reports improvement in political feeling in Cornwall . (pages 338-340 ) A .M . Mackenzie . July 1 . "Your vote upon Church of England monopoly will give satisfaction . It is high time these church corporations should be checked . I am very glad that in event of B's resignation you do not anticipate any serious consequences . The report of his resignation was current here this morning ." (pages 341-342 ) A .M . Mackenzie : July 23, 1851 "The sheriff says you may thank Priest Angus of Kingston for the attack of the "Union" The priest ridden Bergins have little to say (in front of?) Red Stockings, since attack upon you, their apparent coolness towards the union may be only figured .