3 letters; 1 envelop; 1 money order receipt

Letters: one sent by a J. Middleton to a Mr. John Doyle Esq. (including the envelop) and two incoming from a Mr. Ignatius Donnelly.

The letter from Middleton to Doyle outlines Middleton's move to Montreal and his views on gardening and farming. He speaks of buying a piece of land, his involvement in the Horticultural Society, and his relationship with James Reid (referred to also as 'The Judge'). He describes various farming and mercantile properties around the Montreal area as well as their owners and what they grew/sold.

The two letters to Baylis for Donnelly were written in November and December, 1899 from Minnesota (The Old Homestead in Hastings and Hotel Waverly in Minneapolis). The November letter makes reference to the money order ($1.25) for the purchase of Donnelly's new book (perhaps 'The Cipher in the Plays, and on the Tombstone', 1899 which he offers to sign for Baylis. The letter discusses various theories about historical figures (Francis Bacon, Queen Elizabeth, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex) and Donnelly tries to answer some questions which Baylis might have sent in a previous letter. The December letter encloses the promised signature which Donnelly suggests Baylis can insert into the book he already has.

Letters and post cards comprising incoming and outgoing correspondence with Baylis covering such topics as Baylis's lecture at the Montreal St. James Literary Society on the topic of Simon McTavish (20th February 1923) and pleads for and estimated cost associated with the restoration of the McTavish monument and plot.

Among the correspondence is also an excerpt from the 20th February 1923 minutes of the St. James Literary Society where it is resolved to submit demands to the Historic Sites Commission to assume the repairs of the McTavish monument and tomb.

3 copies of a petition prepared by The Antiquarian & Numismatic Society of Montreal and sent to the Mayor and Aldermen, of the City of Montreal on the restoration of the McTavish Tomb and Monument (2 English; 1 French).

Copies of legal documents from the life of Simon McTavish and his family including his Real and Personal Estate (including values) and bequeaths (52 pages), Inventory of his Estates, death certificates of his 4 children (Chiswick, London, England), his Last Will and Testament, a 'Condition de mariage' for Simon McTavish and Marguerite Chaboillez, Petition and Act of Tutorship for Marguerite McTavish, and 4 court documents (George Selby vs William McGillivray 1811; George Selby vs William McGillivray et al. 1839; Emily Caton vs Hugh Allen 1861; Hugh Allan vs Emily Caton 1869)

Contract between Michel Robichau of Faubourg de Recollets and the outfitter Parker, Gerrard, Ogilvy & Co. Contract outlines Robichau's employment as a bowsman with the destination of Niagara, Upper Canada, for the payment of 60 livres per month. Contract duration is for one summer. The contract notes that he received 10 piastres on account.

Contract between Louis Peltier of Faubourg Saint-Laurent and the outfitter Parker, Gerrard, Ogilvy & Co. Contract outlines Robichau's employment as a carpenter with the destination of Kingston, Upper Canada, for the payment of 90 livres per month. Contract duration is for four months. The contract notes that he received 15 piastres on account, his wife to be paid 8 piastres per month during his absence in addition to a blanket.

Contract between Joseph Mireau (likely from the city of Montreal) and the outfitter Owen McDougal. No other contract details are present.

Contract between Baptise Oulle (likely from the city of Montreal) and the outfitters Owen McDougal and Thomas Ritchie of Quebec. Contract details Oulle's employment as a sawyer with the destination of St. John's.

Contract between Joseph Pangman of Lachenaye and Thomas Mears. Contract outlines Pangman's employment as a journeyman in Hawkesbury, Upper Canada. Contract duration is for one year with payment of six hundred livres.

Contract between Baptiste Viverais and Marie Bezeau and the outfitter Thomas Mears. The contract outlines conditions of unspecified employment in Hawkesbury, Upper Canada, for the duration of one year and payment of 480 livres for both. The contract notes that the voyageurs received two piastres on account.