Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 20 April 1869, CO 60:35, no. 6251, 571.
Abstract
Seymour, Frederick to Leveson-Gower, Granville George 20 April 1869, CO 60:35, no. 6251, 571.
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (transcribed) (1), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents
(1).
No. 76
20th April 1869
My Lord,
I have the honor to forward an Authenticated and two plain
Copies of an Ordinance of the recent Session of the Legislatureentitled;
entitled;
entitled;
No. 24. An Ordinance respecting Indian Reserves.
2. I directed the introduction of this measure and need
scarcely say, therefore, that I approve of it. I think that
the powers it confers may very safely be vested in the
Stipendiary Magistrates.
3. The Legal Report of the Attorney General isenclosed.
enclosed.
enclosed.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Indian Reserve Ordinance.
Indian Reserve Ordinance.
Large powers are given to the Stipendiary Magistrates to settle
disputes as to the right to enter upon Indian reserves or as to
claims to the crops or cattle thereon, & such powers, if
exercised with discretion, will probably be useful.
I should think the experiment worth a trial, & wd sanction the
Ordinance pointg out however to the Govr the necessity of
keeping careful watch upon the working of the measure.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Three printed copies of ordinance, not in file.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
.bd The Attorney General's report on "No. 24 Ordinance 1869."
16 April 1869
Sir,
I have the honor to state for the information of Her Majesty's
Government that;
has
has been passed by The Legislative Council to provide a speedy and
cheap means of remedying and abating encroachments on The Indian
Reserves, and debateable land between Indian and White claimants,
without the delay necessary in cases tried before the Supreme Courts.
"An Ordinance respecting Indian Reserves"
has
has been passed by The Legislative Council to provide a speedy and
cheap means of remedying and abating encroachments on The Indian
Reserves, and debateable land between Indian and White claimants,
without the delay necessary in cases tried before the Supreme Courts.
The difficulty and time taken up in dealing with such cases of
the ordinary tribunals, have been a standing danger to thePeace
Peace,
especially with a population so sensitive to an invasion of their
supposed rights as the native tribes.
Peace,
especially with a population so sensitive to an invasion of their
supposed rights as the native tribes.
They are taught to believe, and in practice do, think of The
Queen as their great chief, willing, able and prompt to remedy injury
and prevent wrong.
They are quite alive to the invasion of the Whites upon their
old hunting and fishing grounds and potato patches; and onlypartially
partially acquiesce in it, partly, from a feeling of the white mans
superiority, but chiefly from the confidence so constantly impressed
on them by the Officers of the Government that Her Majesty will not
allow formalities of law to militate against the speedy rendering of
justice Wherever they may happen to be in their right.
partially acquiesce in it, partly, from a feeling of the white mans
superiority, but chiefly from the confidence so constantly impressed
on them by the Officers of the Government that Her Majesty will not
allow formalities of law to militate against the speedy rendering of
justice Wherever they may happen to be in their right.
Although the ordinance under report will tax the discretion of
the Magistratesvery
very largely, for the lands of the Indians are the
best cleared, and most desireable for settlement of any in the
Country, and therefore a constant object of the white mans cupidity,
I feel constrained to commend it for approval as a wise and
beneficent measure.
very largely, for the lands of the Indians are the
best cleared, and most desireable for settlement of any in the
Country, and therefore a constant object of the white mans cupidity,
I feel constrained to commend it for approval as a wise and
beneficent measure.
His Excellency
Governor Seymour
Governor Seymour
