Quebec August 5^th 1890

Private

Honorable John Beverley Robinson
Toronto

My dear Mr. Robinson

Your letter dated 1^st ins’t is at hand; since my arrival here, I intended writing every day, but before doing so, I wanted to wait for M. Codd’s return from westand see what kind of arrangement we could arrive at; so on the 28^th July, I went to [Ottata] to meet him, but on my arrival there, I was informed that he had left the previous Saturday night for Toronto; I spent the whole week in Ottawa expecting him to return every night or morning, having received several telegrams from him to that effect and last Saturday, he sent me one telegram that he would meet me on Sunday or Monday at Montreal; as I had to return to Quebec for Sunday, I answered him to wire me there if I was needed; since, I have heard nothing from him.

So you will see that M. Codd has been in Toronto from 27^th July to 2^nd Aug. and in your letter dated 1^st, you say that you had not heard from him since we parted a fortnight ago. How can you account for M. Codd having been for three days in your city previous to your writing said letter and not having called on you? That is really what I am short of making up.

I wired you yesterday that the railway was completed and that M. Forrest had sent his report to Mr. Schreiber, I expect every day

View

day to receive a letter from M. Schrieber informing me that the small items mentioned in his report dated 12^th March ’90 to the Hon. The Minister of Railways and Canals and approved by Order in Council at the time of the issuing of the land grant, have been completed, and that the work is now all completed according to the requirements of the Government contract, and as soon as I get that letter from him, I will then offer your company the tendering of the road free from all lien and charges according to conditions of 2^nd clause of contract.

So as to avoid any further loss of time, I would advise you to see Dr. McMichael and to get him to cable at once to our english friends on the other side that the road is completed and ready to be tendered over by contractor and to have money deposited in a chartered Bank in Ottawa ready to be paid over to contractor on acceptance of railway by the company; otherwise if it should happen that the company would not be prepared to accept the road for that account, when I tender it to them, I will then be obliged to protect myself by holding the company responsible for all loss, damage etc, that could arise thereof.

It is much preferable for all parties concerned, that precautions should be taken to avoid such complications.

Hoping to hear soon from you again

I remain

Yours truly

A. Charlesbois

View

P.S. – Don’t forget that according to clause 3^rd of second contract marked "B" that the company is bound to give me notice in writing on or before the 16^th of this month, for the beginning of the work on the 2^nd fifty miles of construction of railway

A.C.

View