Surprise Mail

by John Cullen (Crowquiller)

In my mailbox in Ottawa way back when I first began to draw pen and ink pictures, was a strange parcel. It was labelled: “House of Commons”

I do not frequently get mail from Parliament Hill, and opened it with grave anticipation! What did I do now?

The parcel held a photograph and its negative that shocked me in my shoes! Canada’s Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, was holding up a Pen and Ink of mine called the “Rideau Canal, Ottawa 1971” He was in his Office with his secretary, and mailed this photo to me with the remarks: “With best wishes to John Cullen”, and signed “John Diefenbaker”.

The letter said he appreciated my art and was collecting as many as he could find for his home. I was dumbfounded!

At the time, I was employed driving a cement mixer truck for Francon in Ottawa. Imagine a truck driver getting something like this in the mail!

He didn’t realize it at the time, but his thoughtful letter and photo renewed my faith in the hobby and I have continued with it ever since!

Thank you John Diefenbaker!