Banister writes to Labouchere acknowledging the receipt of a letter with the copy of a letter to Swanston. Banister, in response to Swanston’s letter, does not believe that the Inhabitants of Vancouver Island expressed themselves dissatisfied with British Courts of Justice.
The minutes request Merivale to put by the letter.
I have had the honor to receive your letter of yesterday's date
with its enclosure, viz. a copy of a letter addressed to Robert S.
Swanston Esqre, and I hope I may be permitted to remark that it did
not appear to me that the Inhabitants of Vancouvers Island expressed
themselves dissatisfied with British Courts of Justice; but that they
were with the Conduct of the Individual appointed to preside over those
Courts as Chief Justice. I anxiously trust the very high estimate you
entertain of his abilities may be fully realized, otherwise I much fear
that dissatisfaction may be manifested in a manner by no means agreeable
to those administering the affairs of the Colonial office in this
Country.
I shall feel it incumbent upon me to forward this reply, with your
communication to the Gentlemen at Vancouvers Island, inasmuch, as Mr
Swanston having left that part of the world, as communicated to you by
me in May last (on my noticing in the Gazette Mr Camerons
appointment) the purport of your letter to him might be unknown to them
through him for an indefinite period.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your very obedient Servant
Thomas Banister
To The Right Honble H. Labouchere
Colonial Minister
Downing Street