Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Labouchere, Henry 20 July 1857, CO 305:8, no. 8658, 112.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (1), Other documents (1).
Douglas assures the Colonial Office that “the Public Seal of this Colony, and no other has
been invariably used for authenticating public documents.” He responds to concerns
that in some colonies there had been “improper use” of public seals including the
use of unofficial seals.
Peter Smith and Arthur Blackwood sign off in the minutes.
Enclosed is a draft reply from Labouchere to Douglas reminded him of the general uses of the public seal.
No. 23
1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular
Despatch of the 20th of April last marked confidential.
2. After referring to the objects for which Public Seals are
entrusted to the Governors of the Colonial Possessions of the Crown, and
the uses to which they are to beapplied
applied, and moreover pointing out an
irregularity lately discovered in the use of the Public Seal of a
particular Colony. You proceed to caution me in respect to the improper
use of the public seal of this Colony and enquire whether any seal is or
has been used in Vancouvers Island distinct from the public Seal for
authenticating Local Laws, public Instruments and Documents, and whether
any measures are required to guard against the consequences of past
irregularities, if such have been committed.
applied, and moreover pointing out an
irregularity lately discovered in the use of the Public Seal of a
particular Colony. You proceed to caution me in respect to the improper
use of the public seal of this Colony and enquire whether any seal is or
has been used in Vancouvers Island distinct from the public Seal for
authenticating Local Laws, public Instruments and Documents, and whether
any measures are required to guard against the consequences of past
irregularities, if such have been committed.
3. I have the honor in reply to inform you that the Public Seal of
this Colony, andno
no other has been invariably used for authenticating
public documents and therefore no measures are required to guard against
the consequences of past irregularities.
no other has been invariably used for authenticating
public documents and therefore no measures are required to guard against
the consequences of past irregularities.
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.
Other documents included in the file
