Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 14 August 1856, CO 305:7, no. 9707, 73.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (3), Marginalia (2).
Douglas writes to Labouchere acknowledging receipt of his despatches on the “26th Ultimo.” Douglas discusses Labouchere’s idea to send documents over “sixteen ounces in weight” to the HBC for transmission;
mentions he received an order to establish “a Supreme Court of Civil Justice in Vancouver's Island, and issues a public notice regarding the “protection of the colony from attack.”
Douglas requests a public seal for the “service of the Supreme court.”
The minutes discuss how the seals will be paid for if they are provided.
Enclosed is a draft reply from Labouchere to Douglas, a draft from CO staff to Shepherd requesting the seals, a draft from Labouchere to Douglas, the proclamation from Douglas announcing the Supreme Court, and a requisition for public seals.
No. 18
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 26th Ultimo,
of your Despatches of the numbers and dates given in the margin.
No. 7, 26 April, to No. 10, 14 May 1856.
I observe by the first of those Despatches, concerning the
forwarding of the Secretary of States Despatches, that it is your
intention hereafter to cause all documents exceeding sixteen ounces
ounces in
weight, to be sent to the Hudson's Bay Company for transmission, or to
require the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to have them conveyed
by any of Her Majestys ships proceeding to the Pacific.
ounces in
weight, to be sent to the Hudson's Bay Company for transmission, or to
require the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to have them conveyed
by any of Her Majestys ships proceeding to the Pacific.
I have duly received the order in Council for establishing a
Supreme Court of Civil Justice in Vancouver's Island, transmitted with
your despatch No 8 of the 26th of April, and the same was made known in this Colony by proclamation issued on the 8th day of the present month.
I have also received the Warrant under the Royal sign manual,
authorising me to pass letters Patent, appointing Mr David Cameron,
to the Office of Chief Justice of Vancouvers Island, and in obedience to
your instructions I herewith transmit an order
on the Hudson's Bay Company for the sum of one pound ten
shillings, being the value of the stamp on the Warrant.
I
Immediately on the receipt of your Despatch No 10, I issued a
public notice, announcing the steps, which you had resorted to, for the
protection of the Colony from attack, and that in consequence of your
watchful care, the "President" Frigate had been ordered to repair to
Vancouver's Island, a measure that has given the utmost satisfaction to
the inhabitants of this Colony.
A public seal being wanted for the service of the Supreme Court, as
directed by Her Majestys order in Council establishing that Court, I
have taken the liberty of forwarding to you a Requisition for that
object, and also for a public seal for the Department of the Collector
of the Customs, and a copy of the Act of Parliament, constituting the
County Courts, with the latest and best authority on the practice of
those Courts.
This
This application may probably be irregular; if so I trust you will
be kind enough to excuse the trouble, as there is no other department of
the public service, to which I feel at liberty to apply for such wants,
as cannot elsewhere be procured. I am therefore under the necessity of
throwing myself for aid, on your good offices.
The Right Honble Henry Labouchere Esqre
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
Mr Merivale
I do not know who is to pay for these Seals—supposing that we provide them. A public Seal for the Colony has been issued by the Crown, & paid for out of Imperial funds. The Act of Parlt &c should I conclude, be procured & sent out.
I do not know who is to pay for these Seals—supposing that we provide them. A public Seal for the Colony has been issued by the Crown, & paid for out of Imperial funds. The Act of Parlt &c should I conclude, be procured & sent out.
ABd
29 Octr
These seals I believe are cheap enough—we can procure them &
send in an account.
Also the books.
send in an account.
Also the books.
HM
O 29
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Colonial Office to John Shepherd, Hudson's Bay Company, no
date, forwarding extract of the despatch and asking the company to
procure and forward the public seals requested by Douglas.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
As the H.B.Co. will have to pay for these Seals they may as well be desired to provide them.
As the H.B.Co. will have to pay for these Seals they may as well be desired to provide them.
ABd
5
Mr Blackwood
I do not think we ought to ask the HBC. The Colony now raises its own revenue.
I do not think we ought to ask the HBC. The Colony now raises its own revenue.
Other documents included in the file
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Proclamation issued by Douglas, 8 August 1856, announcing
the establishment of a Supreme Court of Civil Justice.
Requisition, 14 August 1856 requesting public seals
for the Supreme Court and the Customs Department, and the
Act of Parliament constituting county courts.