No. 5
24th February 1857
Sir
1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches Nos 18 and 19, of the 21st of October and the 10th of November last.
2. It is very gratifying to learn that the speech with which I opened the Legislature on the 12th of August, has received your approval.
3. The Manuscript image
3. The House of Assembly not having met, for regular business, since my report of the 9th of January, there is nothing of importance to add, to the information then communicated, respecting its proceedings.
4. The Council was convened on the 14th day of the present month, for the consideration of an Act passed by the House of Assembly, on the 18th day of December, granting the sum of 130 Sterling, chargeable to the Duties on Licenced Houses, to be applied in the manner stated in the several clauses of the act, as it appears in the Minutes of Council forwarded herewith. This Act with some few verbal alterations passed the CouncilonManuscript image on that day, and will be transmitted after receiving the final approval of the House of Assembly.
5. The consideration of the Rules and Regulations of the Supreme Court, for the Administration of Justice in Civil cases, as submitted by Chief Justice Cameron, with a communication of which I herewith forward a copy, was taken up on the 14th and finally passed the Council without alteration on the 17th of February.
6. A copy of those Rules will also be transmitted for Her Majesty's final approbation or disallowance as soon as transcribed and carefully revised, and by that time the official seal of the court, for which I took the liberty of sending arequisitionManuscript image requisition with my Despatch No 18 of the 14th of August last, will probably have arrived in this country,
Seal sent 13 Decr/56.
and will be attached to the document as directed by Her Majesty's order in Council.
7. A copy of the proclamation of the Rules and Regulations of the Supreme Court, published on the 18th of this month of February, is also forwarded with this Despatch.
8. Hoping that those proceedings may meet with your approval.
I have the honor to be Sir
Your most obedient humble Servant
James Douglas
Governor

The Right Honble Henry Labouchere Esqre
Her Majesty's principal Secretary of State
For the Colonial Department.
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Ball
Put by, till the arrival of the Rules & regulations of the Supreme Court—which Mr Merivale will probably wish to see.
ABd 29 Apl
JB 29 Ap
HL 30
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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1. Minutes of Council, February 1857, as per despatch.
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2. Chief Justice Cameron to Douglas, 12 February 1857, forwarding the "Rules and Manner of Proceeding to be observed in the Supreme Court of Civil Justice of Vancouver's Island" for approval of the governor and Council.
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3. Proclamation announcing the Rules and Regulations of the Supreme Court, as approved by the Council, will take effect in three months.
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 24 February 1857, CO 305:8, no. 3888, 29. 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/V57005.html.

Last modified: 2020-03-30 13:22:16 -0700 (Mon, 30 Mar 2020) (SVN revision: 4193)