Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to
Russell, Lord John
25 July 1855, CO 305:6, no. 8990, 83.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Douglas writes to Russell to acknowledge Grey’s despatch on the need for various appointments to "the Vice
Admiralty Court of Vancouver's Island;" Douglas confesses that he is “exceedingly perplexed” as to how to find suitable candidates
and, in absence of sufficiently “educated inhabitants,” he names four “gentlemen”
of “general intelligence and integrity” who may be suitable.
In the minutes, Jadis directs Elliot to forward Douglas’s despatch to the Admiralty, and a minute from Merivale notes objections to Cameron as a judge, given his ties to the HBC.
The file includes a draft letter from the Colonial Office to the Admiralty, which
forwards a copy of Douglas’s despatch.
No. 10
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Sir George Grey's
Despatch, No 1, of the 3rd April 1855, in reference to the Vice
Admiralty Court of Vancouver's Island, to which it is proposed to add
the Powers of a Court of Prize, to those already conferred as a Court of
Instance, and to appoint a Judge, Registrar, Advocate, and Marshal, and
further instructing me to transmit the names and designation of those
persons in the settlement, who are in my judgment best qualified to fill
the above offices.
I
I confess to your Lordship that I feel exceedingly perplexed, on
this occasion, from the fact, that among the educated inhabitants of
this Colony, who are principally engaged in the pursuits of Commerce or
Agriculture, there is a difficulty in finding persons acquainted with
Admiralty Law, or who are sufficiently conversant with the rules and
regulations, touching the practice to be observed in suits and
Proceedings in Courts of Vice Admiralty, to prepare the proper
instruments, or to undertake the direction of suits, involving large
interests and profound questions at Law.
However as it appears to be the wish of Her Majesty's Government
that such nominations should be made, I will here submit the names of
four persons; who are in my opinion, better qualified to fill the
offices referred to, than any other in this Colony, and I can moreover
with justice, assure your Lordship, that they are all, without
exception, gentlemen, who bear a high character in the Colony, for
general intelligence and integrity.
For
For Judge David Cameron Esqre of Belmont
For Registrar Mr Robert Barr of Victoria
For Advocate Mr Benjamin Pearse of Victoria
For Marshal Edward E Langford Esqre of Colwood
For Registrar Mr Robert Barr of Victoria
For Advocate Mr Benjamin Pearse of Victoria
For Marshal Edward E Langford Esqre of Colwood
The Right Honble Lord John Russel [Russell]
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Minutes by CO staff
VJ
25 Sepr
Yes. Objections have been taken to Mr Cameron as a judge, as
too closely connected with the Governor & the H.B.C: but I do not believe there is
any alternative.
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to Secretary of the Admiralty, 4 October 1855, forwarding copy of the despatch.