<persName ref="prs:seymour_f"><surname>Seymour</surname>, <forename>Frederick</forename></persName> to <persName ref="prs:cardwell"><surname>Cardwell</surname>, <forename>Edward</forename></persName> 1 May 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6395, 337. Seymour addressee Cardwell

Published by Jim Hendrickson and the University of Victoria.

Seymour, Frederick to Cardwell, Edward 1 May 1865, CO 60:21, no. 6395, 337.The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.6, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B65037.html. CO 60:21 CO 60 21 6395 337 37 B.C. 1865 received 8 July co_60_21_00338r.jpg Transcribed from microfilm archives, marked up in Waterloo Script, then transformed into TEI P5 XML.

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Despatch to London. Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2).

This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.

Seymour reports on crime and poverty in British Columbia and gives an accounting of the asylums and prisons in the colony.

Seymour, Frederick Cardwell, Edward Inserted revisionDesc. Added abstract. Written by Josiah Snell.
No. 37 6395, CO 60/21, p. 337; received 8 July 1st May 1865 Sir,

I have the honor to forward answers to the interrogatories enclosed in your Circular despatch of the 16th of January 1865.

2. I have read with deep attention your despatch, but the replies I now forward willshow show that crime in this young Colony is not one of the great difficulties we have to contend with. The comparatively mild treatment inflicted upon our criminals is sufficient to deter others from breaking the law, and to induce those who have been exposed to the lenient punishment to behave better in future or leave the Colony. Though I observe no painful despondency or loss of self respect in those undergoing punishment,the the dread of imprisonment is greater here than I have observed in other places. Where wages are enormously high and tempting Gold fields within the reach of all, labour coupled with disgrace and loss of pay is a sufficient deterrent from crime. You will observe that but one white man has been twice convicted.

3. The prison is clean, healthy, and well managed. It is gratifying to see that nowoman woman has yet undergone imprisonment. Drunken squaws have, for their own protection, and that of the public decency been locked up until sobered.

4. No person has yet been flogged in the prison.

5. The laws affecting imprisonment for debt have been amended during the last Session. Where no fraud is proved, imprisonment for debt virtually exists no longer.

6. There

6. There has been but one escape, even temporarily, from the gaol. A little Indian Boy scrambled over the wall and got away, but was brought back the same day.

7. No person has become insane in the gaol. Two Lunatics have recovered their reason there and been discharged.

8. There have been no suicides in the prison.

9. It may be mentionedin in connection with the subject of this despatch, that there is not in the Colony a single pauper supported at the public expense.

10. Such of the small prisons as I have visited in the mining and rural districts appeared to me clean and well managed. The criminals sentenced to long periods of imprisonment are transferred to the Gaol at New Westminster.

I I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant Frederick Seymour
Mr Taylor GG 10 July
Refer to Mr Wright. HT 11 July
Refer. TFE 12/7
"Interrogatories respecting the Construction, State, Discipline, and Management of each Prison, House of Correction, Lock-up House, Convict Depot, Penal Settlement, or other place of Confinement in the Colony of British Columbia," with answers appended thereto (37 questions, 37 pages).
New Westminster Gaol Regulations, April 1862.