[JAMES] DAVID WILLLIM SMITH 65 



hurry of indispensible business is a little subsided: and, lest he should 

 have omitted to make application to any of the electors, he gave me 

 half a dozen addresses with blank superscriptions which I now beg leave 

 to enclose to you for that purpose. 

 With every sentiment of regard 

 I have the honour to be, 

 Dear Sir, 



Your most obedient 



Humble servant, 

 D. SELBY. 

 John Askin, Esq., 



Detroit. 

 (MSS. Vol. 2, p. 63, Burton Library.) 



Saturday, 17th August, 1792. 

 Dear Sir: — 



When I did myself the honour of writing to you yesterday I forgot 

 to mention that in case Mr. Smith is likely to be hard run, I have some 

 votes to bring forward at a short notice, but I would rather avoid their 

 appearing unless it was absolutely necessary; of this you will be able 

 to judge in sufficient time to send me information. 



With my best compliments to all your good family, 

 I am, dear Sir, 



Very faithfully, 



Yours, &c., 



D. SELBY. 

 John Askin, Esq., 



Detroit. 

 (MSS. Vol. 2, p. 64, Burton Library) 



From the letters we are able to form a very clear idea as to how 

 elections were run in the earliest campaigns in Upper Canada, and from 

 the accounts we learn that the entire expense had, of necessity, to be 

 borne by the candidates — further, that the candidates did not depend 

 for their elections on good wishes and prayers. 



And now for a concluding note. Having read all the letters and 

 the two accounts, must we not come to the conclusion that David 

 William Smith was elected as member of the Legislature for the county 

 of Essex (and Suffolk) ? 



The elections continued for a period of six to eight days. Smith's 

 letter of 14th August was written prior to the holding of the election in 

 Essex. When it reached Askin at Detroit, the election for Kent must 

 already have been started and therefore I conclude that Francis Baby 



