“Dear Madam:
“We, the harbor commissioners of Montreal, take the liberty of intruding upon you to express our sympathy and condolence to you and your family in the irretrievable loss sustained by the death of your late husband, our friend and colleague in the harbor trust. Our late friend rendered such efficient service in the management of this important trust and was so fully in sympathy with every movement for the good of his country and this city in which he lived, as to secure the esteem and confidence of every member of the commission. At such a time we are aware that nothing can be said to assuage the natural grief of yourself and family, still we hope, Dear Madam, it will prove consolatory to you and yours, that your husband, our friend, has filled up his season of life with so many good deeds and in so exemplary a manner, and that although he has now gone from among us, he will be remembered by all who knew him. This we trust will be to you and your family a source of comfort and help you to bear with fortitude and resignation your present great affliction.
“Thomas Cramp,
“Hugh McLennan,
“Andrew Allan,
“Charles H. Gould,
“John Young,
“Adolphe Roy,
“P. Donovan.
“Harbor commissioners’ office, Montreal, July 28, 1876.”
The board of directors of the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Company, at its meeting on Friday, the 28th of July, 1876, passed unanimously the following resolution:
“Resolved: That this board of directors have received with much regret intelligence of the death of the late president of the company, Mr. John Pratt, whose long and valuable services in its behalf secured for him the gratitude, not only of the directors, but of every shareholder in the company. The directors desire to offer to his family the deep sympathy of every member of the board in the loss they have sustained, and to assure them of the high esteem in which the late Mr. Pratt was universally held.
“Hugh Allan, president.
“J. N. Beaudry, secretary.
“Thomas Caverhill.
“Andrew Allan.
“William McNaughton.
“Adolphe Roy.
“D. Masson.
“M. H. Gault.
“Robert Anderson.”