Quebecois Politician And Businessman Peter McGill Mentions The Newly-Chartered British American Land Company

PETER McGILL (1789-1860). McGill was a Scottish-born Quebecois politician and businessman. He was President of the Bank of Montreal and also founded Canada’s first railroad company. There’s a district of Montreal named for McGill, though McGill University is named for someone else. ALS. 2pgs. March 26, 1834. Montreal. An autograph letter signed “Peter McGill”. McGill wrote to a James Baxter, McGill about the British American Land Company, an entity that was established in 1832 to purchase and develop lands in eastern Canada. “Dear Sir I am in receipt of your letter of 23 int for which I thank you. I am fully aware of the importance of the matters to which you advert, and you may rest assured that the Representatives of the Land Company will attend immediately to the ameleorations you suggest. They are deeply impressed with the necessity of good roads and much consideration will be given to the subject. Hoping for the disinterested cooperation of all the respectable part of the Eastern Community. There is every probability of Mr. Brooks being employed in a confidential situation in the Company. Will you give me your candid opinion in the most perfect confidence what the people would think, or what the effect would be if Mr. W. B. F. was employed in the Companys services?…Peter McGill”. The Land Company had officially been chartered this same month, March 1834, and McGill was one of its first commissioners. At the time of writing this letter, McGill was also on the Legislative Council of Lower Canada. The letter is slightly wrinkled and in very good condition overall.