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Macdonald, John A., Sir, 1815-1891
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Amor De Cosmos correspondence as Agent in Ottawa and London

Amor De Cosmos, British Columbia newspaperman and politician, was born in Nova Scotia as William Alexander Smith in 1825 and migrated to Victoria, via the California gold fields, in 1858. As editor of The Colonist, and elected representative in Vancouver Island's colonial government, De Cosmos was active in public affairs. Upon Confederation De Cosmos represented British Columbia (Victoria District) in the House of Commons at Ottawa from 1871 to 1882. During that time he was appointed a Special Agent on 14 October 1880 by George Anthony Walkem's provincial government to present the views of the provincial government to Sir John A. Macdonald's federal administration on the subject of the Vancouver Island section of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Unable to achieve positive results in Ottawa, De Cosmos proceeded to London in May 1881 to present the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord Kimberley, with a petition to the Queen on the subject of Canada's railway obligations to British Columbia. He returned to Ottawa in November 1881 to pursue discussions with the various officials concerned. The provincial government relieved De Cosmos of his special duties in May 1882 whereupon De Cosmos returned to Victoria to contest unsuccessfully the June 1882 general election.

The papers consist chiefly of manuscript copies of telegrams, notes and letters between De Cosmos and others while he was acting as Special Agent of the government of British Columbia at Ottawa and London from 1880 to 1882. Some of the correspondence has been published in the 1881 B.C. Sessional Papers, pp. 490-494; see also "Papers relating to the mission of the Hon. Amor De Cosmos to London in 1881 . . . (NW 971B/B862pa); and 'Island railway papers compiled by Amor De Cosmos' (NW971B/D296).

One plan transferred to the map collection [also filmed with correspondence on microfilm reel A00792(1)]. One plan showing a proposed railway ferry between Nanaimo Harbour and English Bay, Burrard Inlet also between Gabriola Pass and Pont Grey has been transferred to the map collection as CM/A984. For related records, see GR-1306, Lieutenant Governor's correspondence.

de Cosmos, Amor, 1825-1897

B.C. folio : Old Tomorrow

SUMMARY: This is a program about the Victoria theatre group Company One, and their original presentation "Old Tomorrow", based on Prime Minister John A. Macdonald's role in the building of the Canadian Pacific; Railway. The program includes a discussion of the techniques involved in the largely improvised production, and a description of its premiere performance at the Empress Hotel's Crystal Ballroom.;

Correspondence

  • GR-1306
  • Series
  • 1881

This series contains correspondence between Amor De Cosmos, as Special Agent to London, and others, respecting the Petition of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, to the Queen, on the subject of the Canadian Pacific Railway from March 22nd 1881 to August 31st 1881. The series includes a printed copy of B.C. legislature's petition to the Queen, along with a manuscript copy of the Canadian Pacific Railway memorandum on "Vancouver Island Railway," December 1881. De Cosmos' map showing CPR terminus at Port Moody, alienated railway land on Vancouver Island, proposed ferry routes, etc. were transferred to PABC Library & Maps Division under accession M889117.

British Columbia. Lieutenant Governor

Helmcken family papers

Papers of J.S. Helmcken and members of his family, including correspondence, 1848-1920, account books, 1871-1903, deeds, contracts, certificates, 1825-1890, medical notebooks, case books and account books, 1845-1890, notes and papers concerning the Beacon Hill Park Bowling Club, 1898-1914, rough notes and drafts for articles in newspapers, speeches, and reminiscences. Account books pertaining to the estate of Arthur Thomas Bushby, 1875-1901. Papers of Harry Dallas Helmcken, 1866-1894, and William Ralph Higgins, 1890-1903. J.S. Helmcken's confederation diary and reminiscences are also on microfilm. John Sebastian Helmcken was born in Spitalfields, London on 5 June 1824, the fourth child and eldest son of Claus Helmcken and Catherine Mittler. After attending St. George's German and English school from 1828 to 1839 Helmcken apprenticed himself to Dr. W.H. Graves as a chemist and druggist. On 2 October 1844, Helmcken registered as a student at Guy's Hospital, London, and in March 1848 was admitted as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. Two months later he was serving as surgeon aboard the Malacca until, on 12 October 1849, he received an appointment from the Hudson's Bay Company as surgeon and clerk for a five year term. Helmcken arrived at Esquimalt on 24 March 1850 and was first posted to Fort Rupert before being ordered to return to Fort Victoria in December 1850. On 27 December 1852 he married Cecilia Douglas, eldest daughter of Governor James Douglas. In 1856 Helmcken was elected to represent Esquimalt and Victoria District in the Legislative Assembly of Vancouver Island and served as Speaker of the Assembly until union with British Columbia in 1866. Governor Musgrave appointed Helmcken to the Executive Council of British Columbia in December 1869 while he was also serving as a member of the Legislative Council of B.C., and in the summer of 1870 he travelled to Ottawa as one of three confederation delegates from the colony. With the entry of British Columbia into Confederation in 1871, Helmcken retired from active politics. Helmcken also served as president of the Board of Directors of the Royal Hospital, remained physician to Victoria's jail until 1910, and contributed numerous articles on the early history of Vancouver Island in his later life. Dr. Helmcken died on 1 September 1920. The records include the papers of J.S. Helmcken and members of his family: correspondence, 1848-1920, account books, 1871-1903, deeds, contracts, certificates, 1825-1890, medical notebooks, casebooks and account books, 1845-1890, notes and papers concerning the Beacon Hill Park Bowling Club, 1898-1914, rough notes and drafts for articles in newspapers, speeches and reminiscences. There are also account books pertaining to the estate of Arthur Thomas Bushby, 1875-1901, and papers of Harry Dallas Helmcken, 1866-1894, and William Ralph Higgins, 1890-1903. J.S. Helmcken's Confederation diary and reminiscences are also on microfilm [A00810]. An index to the records is available as part of the hard copy finding aid kept in the reference room.

John Robson papers

Series consists of correspondence inward and outward (1868-1894), commissions, certificates, letters of appointment, testimonials, invitations and dance programmes, messages of condolence to Mrs. Robson on the death of her husband (1892). Also included is a letter to Sir Charles Tupper in 1887 (box 1, folder 1, item 67-68) and the correspondence of various others including Mrs. John Robson and Mr. and Mrs. J.H Hunter.

Norris family papers

Series consists of personal correspondence, business papers, letters of introduction (many to federal government cabinet ministers), testimonials, newspaper dispatches and clippings, poems, sermons, memorial cards, inspirational notes, share certificates and related documents. The records also include genealogical notes, along with correspondence between Norris family members in England, Quebec and British Columbia.

Sir John A. Macdonald fonds

  • PR-0549
  • Fonds
  • 1827-1910 [Microfilmed 1975]

The fonds consists of political, personal and family papers.

Macdonald, John A., Sir, 1815-1891

William Lewis interview

PERIOD COVERED: ;1875;-;1963 RECORDED: Nanaimo (B.C.), [1963 or 1967] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Lewis, who is 100 years of age, relates his memories of the journey to Nanaimo in 1875; life in Nanaimo from 1875 to 1963; the trip from Victoria to Nanaimo on the steamer 'Maude" in 1875; visit by Sir John A. MacDonald to Nanaimo in 1886; the completion of the E&N Railway in 1886. TRACK 2: The 24th of May celebrations; horse racing on Nanaimo streets.;