"Boulton's act upset all my hopes."

* * * * *

Two years later the Government -- having had time to
consider Mr. Smith's services coolly and impartially -- were
moved to send him the following letter:

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE PROVINCES,
OTTAWA,
February 22, 1872.

SIR, -- The conditions which led to your appointment in December,
1869, as Special Commissioner to the North-West are now matters
of history; but the Governor-General feels that the important ser-
vices which, in that capacity, you rendered the country have not
yet received that official recognition to which they are justly entitled.

His Excellency therefore has commanded me to convey to you
the expression of the appreciation of the patriotism with which you
placed your services at the disposal of the Government. . . . Sub-
sequent events have, in His Excellency's opinion, fully justified the
wisdom of his selection. . . . If the serious dangers which then
threatened the Settlement were happily averted, and law and order
peacefully established at Fort Garry, His Excellency feels that the
result was in no small degree due to the ability and discretion and
firmness with which you executed your commission, and of the influ-
ence which your character and standing enabled you to command
from all classes of the coummnity in the country.

I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,

J. HOWE.

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