Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes to
Douglas, Sir James 27 September 1853, LAC :, 129.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Enclosures (untranscribed) (3).
Newcastle writes to Douglas to acknowledge receipt of Douglas’s previous correspondence on the nascent Vancouver Island government. Newcastle then approves of Douglas’s “provisional arrangements” toward the “administration of Justice in the several
Districts of the Colony,” and transmits several official forms to enable Douglas to make appointments for commissioners of the peace.
The three attachments are as follows: a copy of a form for commission of the peace,
an oath regarding the conduct and duties of a Justice of the Peace, and an oath of
allegiance to “Her Majesty.”
No. 9
Downing Street
27th September 1853
Sir
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 5 of the
11th April, reporting the proceedings of your Government, and
forwarding a Copy of the Minutes of your Executive Council in relation
thereto.
I approve of the provisional arrangements you have made for the
better administration of Justice in the several Districts of the Colony,
and I transmit herewith for your information and guidance a form of the
Commission of the Peace used for the appointment of Justices in the
municipal Boroughs in this Country, together with two forms of the oaths
to be used and taken by the Justices on their qualifying which, will
enable you to make the appointmentsyou
you desire. The qualification of
Estate required by the Act of Parliament in the case of the Gentlemen
nominated in Commissions of the Peace issued in this Country is at
present unnecessary in Vancouver's Island and need not therefore be
introduced.
you desire. The qualification of
Estate required by the Act of Parliament in the case of the Gentlemen
nominated in Commissions of the Peace issued in this Country is at
present unnecessary in Vancouver's Island and need not therefore be
introduced.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. Form of commission of the peace.
2. Oath regarding the duties and conduct of a Justice of Peace.
3. Oath of allegiance to Her Majesty.