1861.
"I spent Monday in Toronto and came on here on Monday night, reaching
here on Tuesday afternoon. Since then I have been busy here. I have had
a more satisfactory interview with the Finance Minister, and we go to
Quebec together on Tuesday, after which I meet the Government,
officially, and shall know before the end of next week whether they
will help us, or not. I think they will do something. The management of
this railway is an organized mess - I will not say, a sink of iniquity.
I shall, however, know all about it before I have done with it.
"I feel tired, somehow - perhaps with travelling too hard - perhaps with
too much anxiety to get on quickly with this Grand Trunk business; but,
on the whole, I am very well, and have kept my spirits and nerve up to
the mark, generally. I have a great task in hand, and I should like to
come out of it creditably.
"There is a belief here that Jeff. Davis is dead, and, if so, it may
alter the complexion of affairs in the United States. The U.S.
Government have introduced passports - so one cannot leave their
agitated soil without that badge of tyranny. It will not affect me, as
I shall not stop long in their land - but get out of it as soon as I
can.
"There is a doctor and another man to be hanged here to-morrow, for
procuring abortion - the woman having died.
