1867 Canada NB letter Confederation Customs goods to USA. N.B stamp

New Brunswick letter mailed during 1867 Confederation year, using New Brunswick 5 cents stamp #8, image of Queen Victoria.

Customs controller in St John has questions for Customs office in Chatham regarding  shipment of wood items to USA. New Brunswick joined Canada on 1 July 1867, but NB’s postal and customs administration continued under provincial structures until early 1868

Addressed to

On. H. M. Service

The Controller of Customs &c
Chatham Miramichi N.B.

Contr. St Johns

 Contents:

Custom House St. John
N.B. 6^th February 1867

The Controller &c
Chatham

Sir,
In your Export Account you state 1000 shooks exported to the States valued at $10.00 OR a cent a piece. please explain to me what kind of shooks these could be at such a very small value
Your most obdt. servant

Wm Smith

Cont. &c

Chatham was a regional center for Customs sub‑offices, Shipping, and Timber and fisheries regulation

Shooks are pre‑cut, unassembled wooden components used to make boxes, crates, or barrels. They were a major product in the 19th‑century lumber trade, especially in the U.S. Northeast and Eastern Canada, and your customs letter fits this context perfectly.

Vertical folds

33 x 21 cm

In 1867, the Custom House at Saint John, New Brunswick was headed by William Smith, who held the title Controller of Customs.

William Smith served as:

• Controller of Customs, Saint John, NB
• Active during the pre‑Confederation period
• Responsible for customs revenue, port administration, and enforcement of trade regulations
• A senior civil servant in one of the busiest ports in British North America

Saint John was the largest customs port in New Brunswick, so the Controller was a high‑ranking official.