| Title: | Earl of Caledon, Quebec to The Countess of Caledon, England |
|---|---|
| ID | 3621 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | lord caledon/155 |
| Year | 1840 |
| Sender | Lord Caledon (James Du Pre Alexander) |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | army officer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Quebec, Canada |
| Destination | Barnet, England |
| Recipient | Countess of Caledon |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | son-mother |
| Source | D2433/B/8/28: The Caledon Papers Deposited by the Trustees of the Caledon Estates |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N.Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 100172 |
| Date | 24/12/1840 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 28:01:00. |
| Word Count | 818 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Quebec Dec 24 1840 My dear Mother It is a long time since I last heard from you we are expecting however out letters every hour but as the Post Office closes this night, It will be too late to answer any. I have been able to get away for a short time with two Indians in the woods we camped near the Lac des Sept Isles, marked in the map which put me in mind of Castle Maquey though altogether on a larger scale we succeeding in catching more fish, trout & perch than we could eat, and we had pretty good appetites, the trout about 3 lb weight. I have seen some since near 8 lb we also got partridges but the snow was not deep enough for the deer though we saw numbers of tracks of them we never could get at them After returning I went next day to the South to visit the Outposts, and since then I have been someway up the Montmorenci river. Though there has been but little snow and the weather not very severe the River is very full of ice and people expect a frost which will be an advantage for the sleighs but [starvation?] to the canoe men. I got a little touched by the frost my ears and chin having been slightly touched but only just so as to make the skin come off also two of my fingers and a wrist it is just the same as a burn in its effects if it is bad it blisters and is very sore all the winter. The inhabitants of the town have got up a driving club, each gentleman takes a lady which makes it more entertaining especially as there are at least 2 or 3 upsets in the snow. I have not been out, I find that I have a chintz covered armchair that just fits in to my sleigh so I always drive about in it and thereby combine ornament & comfort. I believe few armchairs have travelled about so much as mine. Judge Bedard has asked me to dinner for Tuesday I never go out but intend to go there as I want to know the French, they will be all rebels there I suppose, which I have nothing to do with but expect some fun there, he is a friend of Lord Gosfords, and was suspended during the time of the outbreak. The Elections come on soon now and I suppose we shall be kept busy or at least confined to our quarters anything however that interrupts the monotony of the place, the same morning parades the same duties and everything so much the same, that one lives the same day over again only with the disadvantage of growing older. I would not however wish to change my quarters. I am glad that Mary has been left well off I did not know that the Bishop had been so rich though every one said so. I had good accounts from Prentice and son John by last mail of all that was going on at Caledon but I heard that Chas [Charles?] Alexander was ill and had been to Brodie about his throat I hope it is nothing serious. If there is anything to send out for me [--?] letters or parcels they had better go to the care of Fred : Villiers adjutant of the 1st Battn. [Battalion?] we are to have an ensign out soon and if [Hal-ehs?] vacancy is filled up we shall get another captain which will give us a little more leave. I hear nothing mentioned about our return I suppose we shall know next post or the one after. The party that went to the Far West returned last week with the exception of those that went to England on leave they had some pretty good sport and lived very comfortably they found the Buffalo much nearer to St Louis than they did the last time and consequently had not so far to travel. Two of our officers are gone to Cuba for 3 months so they will keep themselves warmer during the winter than they would have been had they remained here. I suppose that Lady Stuart and Louisa are at Tittenhanger about this time as you said they would be when you last wrote if they are I beg to be remembered I had a letter to write to Lord Stuart but it is too late now as I have to send the letters this evening and it is now getting rather late. I will write again by the first opportunity but we cannot send letters by New York unless there is [as--aght?] there which I believe is a new Rule in the Post Office & has caused a great deal of dissatisfaction. Best love to My Grandmother and all at Tittenhanger Believe me Your affectionate Caledon *Envelope address:- The Countess of Caledon Tyttenhanger Barnet England |
