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 ofpartManuscript image 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 theexampleManuscript image 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, thetwoManuscript image 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
Minutes by CO staff
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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.
In usual course this despatch would merely be ackn?
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Yes.
I suppose the execution of Indians—for there have been other cases recently, is all right, but it would [have] been more satisfactory perhapsManuscript image 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
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I think the infn is as much as we need ask for, not having reason to suppose anything wrong.
FR 14/9
G 17/9
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Extract from minutes of Executive Council, 2 July 1869, as per despatch.
Other documents included in the file
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Draft reply, Granville to Musgrave, No. 94, 21 September 1869.
Hankin, Philip J. to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 3 August 1869, CO 60:36, no. 10225, 306. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B69137.html.

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