A.L.S. from George A Walkem, 3rd and 5th the Premier of British Columbia

1893. August 5, 1893(?).

1 page (114 x 180 mm) laid notepaper, 15 lines in ink on recto, verso blank. Fully mounted on a larger piece of paper; slight shadow from framing, otherwise very good.

§ A one page autograph letter from George A. Walkem (1834-1908), 3rd Premier of British Columbia from 1874-1876 and 5th Premier from 1878-1882. The last digit of the year is carelessly drawn but seems to suggest 1893. Walkem writes to someone called Russell to cancel that evening's dinner arrangement out of respect to Mrs Russell.

Walkem, known as "Boomer" Walkem, was born in Ireland and emigrated to what was then the Colony of (truncated) British Columbia as a young man. He entered politics as a support of Canadian Confederation and succeeded the eccentric Amor de Cosmos to the premiership in 1874. His governments were characterized by expensive public works projects and anti-Chinese policies.

The letter reads in full: "Aug 5/93 / Dear Russell, Upon reflection I think that we had better drop this evg's dinner engagement. It would be a bad compliment to Mrs Russell to break in upon her evening's pleasure by deferring it till 9 or 10 p.m. You would be uncomfortable and so would I. Some other opportunity, I hope, will soon occur when we shall be able to have an evening to ourselves. I withdrew the other(?) invitation this morning. Please give my regards to Mrs R. [one word illeg.] Geo. A Walkem. (Inventory #: 125945)