The Two Cows of Chantry Island.

In searching the national archives records with the help of John Weichel, we found that Captain Lambert and his wife Louisa, the first Lighthouse Keepers, prepared a pasture on the Island for their cow. Bringing it over to the Island in the spring before the ice melt, the family would have fresh milk daily.

During the construction of the “Long Dock” the community was a bee hive of activity. Strangely the land based contractor, Mr. Walker of Reid & Walker, also had a cow and wanted to pasture it on the Island too. Now with all the land available, why would he want to do that? I’ve found a veritable flurry of letters from the well organized and precise Captain Lambert. He caused quite a stir. The government clearly thought for a while that this squabble would go away and one party would give up their cow. Unfortunately this did not happen and letters continued to fly. I’ve noticed that the inter-government responses became more shrill as each official tried to move the problem to another area of government. Finally, a letter was written to the local police authority with all the necessary official seals and signatures. Mr. Walker’s cow would have to go. Captain Lambert’s claim to the meager pasturage that the Island could offer was upheld.

Read the letter below and you'll sense the Captain's ire.

Chantry Island Lighthouse 27 May, 1873

Wm Smith Esq

Minister of Marine

Ottawa

Sir,

   Some years ago I was at considerable trouble and expense in seeding down the Island for the purpose of affording pasture for a cow which it barely does.  I regret to state that Mr. Robt. Walker of the firm of Reid and Walker, contractors for the Harbour brought over a cow last night, I ordered him to remove it, which he refused to do.  Permit me to request your instructions on this subject and also for the general protection of the Island, as already a great deal of damage has been done to the trees, and unless I receive immediate instructions, I fear greater destruction will be committed.

I am,

D. Mc. Lambert

Captain Lambert wrote very well, don't you think?  What education did he have and where did he get it?

The harbour he speaks of is, of course, the Harbour of Refuge that was a huge endeavor on a national scale.

One of the responses to the above letter comes with the official letterhead of the Marine & Fisheries Canada.  It is written to F. Brown Esquire, the Secretary of Public Works who were in charge of the contracting jobs for the Harbour of Refuge, I think.  Notice the liberal use of capitals in the letter.

Ottawa 9th, June 1873

Sir

   With references to the enclosed copy of letter received from Mr. D. McG. Lambert, Light House Keeper at Chantry Island, complaining of the conduct of Mr. Robert Walker, Contractor, in putting a Cow for graze upon that Island, and insisting upon keeping it there; I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to inform Mr. Walker that he has no right to have a Cow at pasture on Chantry Island, without authority from this Department.

                                I am, Sir Your most obedient servant

                                (???) Smith

                                Deputy Minister of Marine