$100.00 CAD
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Nice pre-Confederation confirmation of a shipment of 22 barrels of ash by ship on At Lawrence from Prescott (Upper Canada) to Montreal (Lower Canada).
"Ashes" were hardwood ashes that had been processed by settlers into potash or pearl ash. These were packed in barrels and shipped downriver to Montreal, New York, or Britain. Tt was a valuable industrial commodity.
2 partially printed pages, filled on for this shipment
First page:
Julius Quesnel Esq PRESCOTT, 22 may 1832
Sir,
I have this day Shipped to you, in good order, per Batteaux F. Lajeunesse conductor… the Property noted underneath, and have drawn on you for the amount of my Charges thereon, per annexed account.
I am Sir Your obedient Servant
per P.J. Roy Sapeure4s(?)
John Wilson
Q&B 22 Barrels Ashes Property of Messrs Baldwin & Quesnel
The La Jeunesse family were well‑known St. Lawrence river boatmen and carriers.
Second page (freight charge invoice):
Julius Quesnel Esq
Sir, DR. to JAMES MCCUTCHON
22 may 1832
For freight from Prescott to Port Montreal
22 BBls ashes ----
Ins 12of 1% ----
Policy
MaiIed to:
Julius Quesnel Esq.
Montreal L.C.
Per Batteaux
Tears along folds. 2nd page repaired with tape. Text appears to be complete. Missing LL corner (blank paper)
25 ½ x 20 ½ cm
In 1832, Jules‑Maurice Quesnel was a prominent Montreal merchant, fur‑trade veteran, and investor involved in import‑export commerce, canal development, banking, and early steam navigation. His business partnership Quesnel & Baldwin ended that year, marking a transition in his commercial activities.
He entered the North West Company as a clerk and participated in major western expeditions, including assisting David Thompson and travelling with Simon Fraser during the 1808 Fraser River exploration.
He was involved in early steam navigation enterprises, part of the broader modernization of Lower Canada’s river transport network.
