No. 1
Victoria
14th June 1869
My Lord,
I deeply regret that it is my painful duty to report to Your Lordship the death of His Excellency Governor Seymour.
2. OnManuscript image
2. On the 17th of May Governor Seymour left Victoria on board Her Majesty's Ship "Sparrowhawk" on an official visit to Metlakahtla and the Settlements on the North West Coast of British Columbia.
3. His Excellency had been in a delicate state of health, suffering from extreme debility, but no danger was apprehended by his Medical adviser.
4. Nanaimo, BellaCoolaManuscript image Coola, Bella Bella, and the Missionary Stations on the Naas River and at Metlakahtla had been visited, and the Governor was on his return to Victoria when he was seized, on the 8th Instant, with an attack of Diarrhea and expired on the 10th Instant on board Her Majesty's Ship "Sparrowhawk" at Bella Coola.
5. By virtue of Governor Seymour's Commission the duties of AdministeringtheManuscript image the Government of the Colony devolve upon the Senior Member of the Executive Council, and I have therefore, as Colonial Secretary and Senior Member of the Executive Council, this day, taken the customary oaths of Office as Administrator and have assumed the Government of this Colony, pending Instructions from Her Majesty's Government.
6. The Mail leavesforManuscript image for England immediately, but I shall write more at length by the next Steamer.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble Servant.
Frederick Seymour Philip J. Hankin
Administering the Government

The Right Honorable
The Earl of Granville K.G.
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
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Sir F. Rogers
The despatch written to Mr Hankin on the receipt of the telegram announcing Mr Seymour's death supersedes the necessity for an answer to this.
Put by.
CC 19 July
FR 20/7
WM 21/7
G 29/7