Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Hankin, Philip J. to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 3 August 1869, CO 60:36, no. 10225, 306.
Abstract
Hankin, Philip J. to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 3 August 1869, CO 60:36, no. 10225, 306.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
No. 37
3rd August 1869
My Lord,
With reference to the late Governor Seymour's despatch No 87 of
11th May, I have the honor to report that the two Indians
accused of the Murder ofpart
part of the Crew of the "John Bright"
were tried at the last Assizes held in Victoria. They were
found guilty and condemned to death.
part of the Crew of the "John Bright"
were tried at the last Assizes held in Victoria. They were
found guilty and condemned to death.
2. Concurring in the opinion of the Executive Council, I deemed
it advisable that these Indians should be executed at the place
where their crime was committed, feeling assured that theexample
example would have a salutary effect in deterring others from
the commission of a like offence.
example would have a salutary effect in deterring others from
the commission of a like offence.
3. H.M.S. "Sparrowhawk," Captain Mist, having been placed at my
disposal for the purpose by the Senior Naval Officer, proceeded
to Hesquiot Harbour the scene of the Murders, where, on the
29th July, in the presence of the whole tribe, thetwo
two Indians suffered the extreme penalty of the Law.
two Indians suffered the extreme penalty of the Law.
4. I enclose copy of the Minutes of the Executive Council on
this subject.
I have the honor to be
My Lord
Your Lordship's most obedient
humble Servant
Philip J. Hankin
Administering the Government
My Lord
Your Lordship's most obedient
humble Servant
Philip J. Hankin
Administering the Government
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
For more detailed particulars of the murders for which these two Indians have been executed than is given by the Acting Govr in his present or preceding despatch 7494, I would refer you to the Admiralty letter 6788.
For more detailed particulars of the murders for which these two Indians have been executed than is given by the Acting Govr in his present or preceding despatch 7494, I would refer you to the Admiralty letter 6788.
In usual course this despatch would merely be ackn?
I suppose the execution of Indians—for there have been other
cases recently, is all right, but it would [have] been more
satisfactory perhaps
to have seen the evidence on which they
were convicted—but to ask for it & to desire it to be sent in
future cases would be unadvisable as shewing an intention of
interfering with the discretion which is vested in Governors
as regards carrying out the sentence of death.
to have seen the evidence on which they
were convicted—but to ask for it & to desire it to be sent in
future cases would be unadvisable as shewing an intention of
interfering with the discretion which is vested in Governors
as regards carrying out the sentence of death.
Ackn receipt?
CC
13 Sept
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Extract from minutes of Executive Council, 2 July 1869, as per
despatch.
