Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes to Douglas, James 2 June 1862, NAC RG7:G8C/3, 74.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Enclosures (transcribed) (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (4), Marginalia (2).
Newcastle forwards Douglas two letters from Langford
containing allegations affecting certain Government Officers in Vancouver Island and the administration of Justice in that Colony,and asks that Douglas, along with Cameron, Begbie, and Good, review the allegations and report back to Newcastle. In addition, Newcastle recommends that Cameron, whose appointment was
a mere temporary expedient,be replaced by a
professional Judge.
No. 101
Downing Street
2 June 1862
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit to you copies of two letters which I
have received from Mr. Edward E. Langford containing allegations
affecting certain Government Officers in Vancouver Island and the administration of Justice in that Colony. I have to request that you
will submit these statements to Mr. Cameron, Mr. Begbie and Mr. Goodto
to
whom they refer and that you will forward to me together with your own
observations whatever explanations these gentlemen may have to offer on
the subject.
to
whom they refer and that you will forward to me together with your own
observations whatever explanations these gentlemen may have to offer on
the subject.
Upon referring to your despatches in 1855 I find no allusion to
the circumstances affecting Mr. Cameron as detailed in the enclosures
to Mr. Langford's letter of the 21st May last. On this point I wish to receive a Report from you explaining how far this gentleman's
antecedents were known to youand
and if they are correctly stated by Mr.
Langford and his correspondents, how it happened that you took no
notice of them, at the time you recommended him for the Acting Chief Justiceship.
and if they are correctly stated by Mr.
Langford and his correspondents, how it happened that you took no
notice of them, at the time you recommended him for the Acting Chief Justiceship.
I observe that this appointment when created was regarded by you
as a mere temporary expedient and as I am of opinion that the time is
approaching when it will be necessary that Vancouver Island should
receive the services of a professional Judge; I shouldtherefore
therefore wish
you to bring the question of making provision for his remuneration
before the local Legislature.
therefore wish
you to bring the question of making provision for his remuneration
before the local Legislature.
Governor Douglas C.B.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
James C. Hitzler to Langford, 24 June 1861, stating that
Cameron had petitioned to be judged insolvent on 28 January 1851, which the Supreme
Court granted 28 April 1851, there being no opposition.
Documents enclosed with the main document (transcribed)
My Lord Duke,
I have the honor to enclose to your Grace the Copy of a letter from the Registrar
of the Supreme Court of Demerara, and also the copy of one from
the Sheriff Clerk at Perth, giving information concerning Mr David Cameron the Chief Justice of
VancouverIsalnd
Island,
who is one of the Officials whose conduct is complained of, in the statement which
I had the honor to address to Your Grace on the
18th June last, which statement was placed in Your Grace's hands by
Mr Charles W. Fitzwilliam
Island,
who is one of the Officials whose conduct is complained of, in the statement which
I had the honor to address to Your Grace on the
18th June last, which statement was placed in Your Grace's hands by
Mr Charles W. Fitzwilliam
Dear Sir,
I have to apologize for not sooner answering yours of 10th Ultimo, but you will 〰 excuse the delay, when I tell you I have for the
last few weeks been suffering from 〰 indisposition generally confined to the house
and a good deal to bed, and so prevented from obtaining the information noted below.
I cannot discover that D. Cameron obtained any more formal discharge from his 〰 creditors than is implied in the
fact
fact that certain of his Creditors took Bills for his imposition.
fact that certain of his Creditors took Bills for his imposition.By the Law of Scotland, although these Bills were dishonored when due, and so rendered
the proceedings for recovery necessary which I showed you, that would not revive
the 〰 original claim of the creditors to 20s/- per £.
Wm Cameron the Cousin has made thorough search for the
acknowledgement by David of which he thought he was possessed, without being able to find it and I have not
succeeded in finding any specimen
of his 〰 handwriting
handwriting.
handwriting.Mr Gray had nothing to do with the Bankrupt, nor with the 〰 Creditors, having only acted
as Notary for the Banks at which the Bills fell due.
I find however that David has two brothers Charles and John Cameron, who 〰 carry on business as Bankers in London; their address is 16 Duke St Strand.
I regret that I am unable further to satisfy your enquiries and remain